Harrogate Borough Council plans to buy three houses in town to reduce the number of rough sleepers.

The government’s £105 million Everyone In scheme funded organisations that help rough sleepers during the first lockdown.

Now ministers have set up a new programme called Next Steps, which provides further funding.

Read more:

• Call to create Harrogate Town Council
• Visible return of rough sleeping in Harrogate as lockdown eases

Harrogate Borough Council bid for £1,084,570 from the programme to help with short and long term interventions on rough sleeping in the district.

However, the government looks set to offer the authority £449,326 – nearly half the amount requested.

Once finalised, the council intends to use the funding to buy three former council dwellings to house those people at risk.

The authority has estimated the cost of purchasing the three homes will be £696,000, which officials say would be funded from both the grant and the authority’s housing revenue account.

Town centre locations

A report due before senior councillors on the the council’s cabinet today said the homes would be prioritised within the town area.

It says:

“The property purchases will be prioritised within the Harrogate town area In order to provide proximity to services for rough sleepers and that each potential purchase will be approved by the head of housing and property before an offer on each of the properties is made.”

Senior councillors have been recommended to delegate power to the head of housing to accept the the grants from government, subject to confirmation.

Local authorities were encouraged to house rough sleepers temporarily under the Everyone In initiative during the first lockdown.

The borough council housed people in hostels in the town, as well as in Leeds.

According to council figures, 29 rough sleepers in the district were taken off the streets, of which 10 are still being supported by the authority.

The Stray Ferret asked the council what has happened to the remaining 19 which were housed, but has yet to receive a response.

The Harrogate and District Green Party has started a petition opposing Harrogate Spring Water’s plans to extend its bottling plant in the Pinewoods.

Harrogate Borough Council will next month consider an application by the water company to expand its existing site from 0.77 hectares to 0.94 hectares in the area of Pinewoods known as Rotary Wood.

Rebecca Maunder, a Green Party member and Pinewoods dog walker, said people were “shocked and dismayed” at the prospect of trees being felled.

Her petition to save Rotary Wood, which has so far generated more than 700 signatures since it began at the end of last week, says the proposal would destroy acres of woodland planted by children, damage wildlife and biodiversity and lead to the creation of more plastic bottles.

The petition adds:

“Harrogate district has 8% woodland cover compared to a national average of 12% and a European average of 36%.”

Read more:

• Littering in the Pinewoods ‘a continual problem’
• Bottling plant plans for Pinewoods to be decided in December

Harrogate Spring Water, which was bought last year by multinational firm Danone, has had outline planning permission since 2016 to expand to the west of its existing site.

The company is due to consult online with interested parties next week to discuss the proposal.

Nicky Cain, brand manager for Harrogate Spring Water, said it was “working towards presenting our application to the planning committee on December 8”. She added:

“The environmental aspects of our application remain top of our agenda and shall ensure any ecological impact is offset and provide commitment towards a local planting scheme.

“We shall continue to engage with stakeholders, both prior to planning and ahead of any future reserved matters scheme, providing opportunities to hear their views on planting and landscaping.”

The council has received more than 300 letters of objection since the plans were submitted, including from the Rotary Club of Harrogate, the Pinewoods Conservation Group and Harrogate Civic Society.

A report from the council’s arboricultural manager, Paul Casey, said the loss of 2.8 acres of woodland floor would remove the “green corridor” link between the north and south of the site. He said:

“There are no proposals put forward that would mitigate for the loss of this woodland.”

Harrogate Borough Council has announced that it has scrapped parking charges for lockdown.

The council said it will help NHS staff, key workers, essential businesses and those that need it at a difficult time.

It applies to off-street parking only and will be in force from tomorrow until December 2. Across the Harrogate district there are 33 car parks which will all be affected by the move.

Read more:

• Harrogate group steps up to support mums during lockdown
• Care home visits to continue through lockdown

In Harrogate, it will mean that it is now free to park at West Park Long Stay Multi-Storey, Victoria and Jubilee car parks.

Harrogate Borough Council also scrapped the same off-street parking charges in the first coronavirus lockdown.

Parking charges and enforcement will still be in place for on-street parking to prevent issues with traffic management. North Yorkshire County Council, which controls on-street parking, will keep exceptions for NHS and care workers as well as coronavirus support volunteers.

Plans to open a dedicated museum in Knaresborough have taken a significant step forward after Harrogate Borough Council backed the plans.

The council’s cabinet have decided to let the Knaresborough Museum Association (KMA) take on the former dance school for a “fair and reasonable rent”.

Before the museum can open the KMA has said it needs to fundraise a few thousand pounds and renovate the building, which has fallen into disrepair.

However the group sees this as a major boost for their museum plans at the Castle Girls’ School building. Kathy Allday, chair of KMA, told the Stray Ferret:

“This is terrific news and it has been around 18 months in the making. This is a great location so close to the castle and the court house museum.

“Knaresborough has such a rich and fascinating history. We want to complement what the existing museum already does, not replicate it.”

Read more:

• Knaresborough chamber in talks to take over town market
• New bid for 170 homes in Knaresborough

Kathy has called for anyone who wants to join the KMA or just help as a volunteer to get in touch by sending an email here.

The plans for the building on Castle Yard in Knaresborough include a hub for historical exhibitions and to become an educational space for the community.

“Our Knaresborough: Our Stories” will be the first exhibition and it is already ready to go. It tells the town’s story from the pre-historic age right through to WWII.

The group is already working on a second exibition about how life change from the 1930s to the 1950s.

EnviroVent has earmarked a new multi-million pound business park in Harrogate to relocate its head offices.

The company, which installs ventilation systems for homes and other premises, is currently based at Hornbean Park.

According to a planning application submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, the company plans to relocate to a new business park off Burley Bank Road which is seeking final planning permission.

The site was handed £1.5 million in funding in August as part of the government’s Getting Building fund.

Read more:

• Lockdown ‘at worst possible time for retail’ says Harrogate bookshop

• Lidl plans to open first Harrogate store

The document, submitted by ID Planning on behalf of EnviroVent and Teakwoods Development Ltd, say the company wishes to expand and relocate to the 75,000 square foot unit.

It says:

“Envirovent are currently located at Hornbeam Park, Harrogate. They are a leading manufacturer and installer of ventilation systems for homes, property and employment premises. 

“The company is expanding and wishes to relocate to purpose- built premises at Burley Bank Road. 

“The new building will comprise 75,820 sqft (approx. 7044 sqm) in total with 16,845 sqft (1565 sqm) for use as offices, 13,725 sqft (1275 sqm) as assembly and 30,250 sqft (2810 sqm) to be used for storage.”

The reserved matters proposal forms part of phase one of development on the site.

The borough council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

Knaresborough Chamber of Trade has begun talks with Harrogate Borough Council to take over the management of the town’s market.

Relations between the chamber and council have deteriorated in the wake of disputes over issues such as rent increases, upholding the town’s traditions and the management of the market over lockdown. 

The council has always defended itself, saying it works “tirelessly” to support the traders and promote the market to residents and visitors.

But the chamber said it no longer feels the council is running the market in the town’s best interest and matters have reached the “final straw”.

It now hopes to take over the market’s day-to-day running in conjunction with the Knaresborough Town Council.

‘We need to take a stand’

Chamber representatives told the Stray Ferret discussions were in the early stages and no official proposal has been sent to Harrogate Borough Council yet.

Steve Teggin president of Knaresborough Chamber, said:

“It is being run in a style that could lead to its eventual demise, which we don’t want. The people of Knaresborough won’t want that either.

“We need to take a stand, we’ve had enough. It could be destroyed if we don’t look at it properly. We want to take it over.”

Councillor Andrew Paraskos, Harrogate’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, who is responsible for the management of markets, said:

“Running a weekly market in both Knaresborough and Ripon is not an easy task and requires a lot of council resources to make it happen safely each week. This is on top of the pitch bookings, licences, publicity, waste removal, etc. that is also required.

“But if Knaresborough Chamber of Trade believe they can run the market more successfully, then I welcome them getting in touch.”

Read more:

• An initiative by one Knaresborough carer is bringing the outside in for care home residents forced to stay indoors during the pandemic.
• The petition was set up by Knaresborough and Ripon stallholders and gained 4,000 signatures. 

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“To suggest we are running Knaresborough market into the ground is simply not true whatsoever.

“Our vibrant and popular historic markets in both Knaresborough and Ripon are an important and integral part of our district.

“That’s why we have worked tirelessly to make sure they can operate safely every week, even during lockdown and will continue to promote them on our social media channels regularly.”

Liberal Democrat councillors have called for the formation of a Harrogate Town Council once Harrogate Borough Council is scrapped.

The current two-tier council system in North Yorkshire is set to be replaced as part of the biggest shake-up of local government since the 1970s.

It means North Yorkshire County Council and the seven district and borough councils — including Harrogate — will no longer exist.

The county council and the seven districts are submitting rivals plans to government on how a new single-tier structure should look.

Now, Liberal Democrat councillors have urged both Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, and Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, to include a town council for Harrogate as part of their plans.

Read more:

• North Yorkshire devolution: what happens now?
• ‘Momentous’ single council proposal for North Yorkshire submitted

Cllr Pat Marsh, leader of the Lib Dems on the borough council, said:

“It seems almost certain now that the days of two-tier government are numbered and that the borough council will soon be dissolved, with powers and responsibilities transferred to a new unitary authority.

“I believe that it is essential that services that apply to Harrogate only are devolved to a local level and to do that we will need to form a new town council, along the same lines as Ripon City Council and Knaresborough Town Council.”

Cllr Geoff Webber, leader of the Lib Dems on the county council, also supports the move.

What would a town council do?

Town and parish councils run services such as community centres and play areas, as well as maintaining bus shelters. Councillors are elected to serve on them.

The councils can also charge a precept as part of council tax bills to fund the services provided.

Under its plans, the county council has promised further powers for towns and parishes in a move it describes as ‘double devolution’.

The district’s plan for an east/west model has also pledged to hand further powers to parishes, should they want it.

It would see the councils able to run services and take on additional responsibilities.

The Stray Ferret has approached both council leaders for a comment on the issue, but had not received a response at the time of publication.

Devolution — the story so far

Councils are in the process of submitting plans to ministers on how they would shake-up local government in North Yorkshire.

County councillors voted to submit the authority’s single council plan on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Borough Council, Scarborough Borough Council and Craven District Council have all backed submitting an east/west model.

Ryedale District Council, Richmondshire District Council, Hambleton District Council and Selby District Council voted on the issue last night.

Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, will decide on the government’s preferred option.

Whichever proposal he chooses, it will result in both the county council and the district and borough councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, being scrapped and replaced by one or more single-tier authority.

North Yorkshire County Council has agreed to submit plans to create a new single local authority for the county to ministers.

County councillors voted for the move today, signalling the start of the biggest shake-up of local government in North Yorkshire for decades.

However, the seven district and borough councils will also vote on submitting alternative proposals to ministers.

At the county council’s meeting this morning, 57 councillors voted in favour of submitting the bid and 11 against.

It included “dual hatted” councillors, who sit on both district and the county councils, who will also vote on the districts’ proposal for an east/west model.

Robert Jenrick, secretary of state for local government, will decide on the government’s preferred option.

Whichever proposal he chooses, it will result in both the county council and the district and borough councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, being scrapped and replaced by one or more single-tier authority.

‘Momentous decision’

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the county council, said the proposal for one council, which would cover 618,000 people, was among the most “momentous decisions” the authority has made.

He said the government regarded devolution as part of its plan for recovery from the covid pandemic.

North Yorkshire County Council leader, Carl Les.

Cllr Les said:

“The government sees two parts to covid. Firstly contain and secondly recovery.

“They see devolution and local government reform as key parts of that recovery process and delivering the levelling up agenda.

“This is so the right time to do this and to get prepared for future challenges.”

He added that there would be “no criticism” of other models and that it would be for ministers to decide the best proposal for the county.

Read more:

• North Yorkshire devolution: what happens now?
• York to back county council’s single authority plan

The proposal has received support from City of York Council, which would remain as a unitary authority under the plan.

But opposition councillors on the county council opposed the move.

Cllr Stuart Parsons, leader of the North Yorkshire independents group, said it was not “the right time” for local government reform.

He said:

“I think central government needs to get to grips with what is going on in our country rather than rearranging deck chairs.”

Cllr Eric Broadbent, leader of the Labour group, said creating a single authority for the county would be “a step too far”.

£38 million cost of shake-up

In its outline plan, the county council said reorganisation of councils in the county could cost up to £38 million.

Consultants Pricewaterhouse Cooper’s report on the plans revealed that setting up a single authority will cost between £18 million and £38 million.

However, the authority also predicts savings of up to £252 million over five years, equivalent to £50.4 million per year.

The district councils ware set to submit an east/west model as a counter proposal to the county council.

Harrogate Borough Council will vote on the plan this evening.

Ministers have set a deadline of December 9 for full proposals to be submitted.

The trade union Unison is seeking urgent talks on the future of Harrogate Borough Council leisure and sports centre staff when venues close this week.

Leisure centres and gyms across the district will shut on Thursday following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of a second lockdown in England.

Unison’s local government branch has asked to meet senior managers at the council to discuss the future of those affected.

Union officials said they will be seeking clarity on the futures of staff in sport, leisure and parks, as well as on whether the civic centre should remain open to visitors.

Many council staff, including leisure employees, were redeployed to other services during the spring lockdown to deal with extra demand.

Read More:

• Second lockdown could mean some Harrogate businesses ‘won’t reopen’
• Pre-lockdown rush for haircuts in Harrogate

David Houlgate, branch secretary at Unison Harrogate, said council staff had ‘gone the extra mile’ during the pandemic and there was a need to know what would happen to them. He said:

“We have worked tirelessly with the council through the pandemic and we remain hopeful that, provided appropriate health and safety protocols are maintained and followed, HBC will continue to deliver much needed services and support to residents and businesses in the district.”

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council said:

“We are currently having discussions regarding staffing arrangements following the latest government restrictions.”

Harrogate Borough Council did not fulfil its legal obligation to fully consider Flaxby as a reasonable alternative to Green Hammerton as the site of a major new settlement, the High Court was told today.

Christopher Katkowski QC, representing Flaxby Park Ltd, made the claim on the third and final day of a judicial review between the developer and the council.

A judgement will be handed down at a later date.

Flaxby claims the council’s decision to choose Green Hammerton for 3,000 homes was based on a flawed process.

Mr Katkowski said the developer’s claim was “straightforward and simple” — that councillors “at some point” should have considered the Flaxby site after council officers assessed it a second time.

Instead the matter was dealt with by council officers.

Mr Katkowski told the court:

“Members were legally obliged to consider Flaxby as a broad location and reasonable alternative to Green Hammerton as a broad location. 

“They never did at the bookends or at any point in between.”

Mr Katkowski said the developer accepted that councillors “could not do the work” of the assessment, but added that what mattered was “what you do with the work when it is done”.

Read more:

• Harrogate council acted lawfully in Green Hammerton case, High Court told

• Flaxby vs Green Hammerton: the saga so far…

The court also heard that the planning inspector’s report, which councillors considered before they adopted the district’s local plan, was “not a substitute” for the second assessment.

Mr Katkowski said councillors should have had the second assessment in front of them and that the report was not a substitute “as a matter of law”.

The council claims it acted lawfully in the decision-making process.

The council’s defence made submissions yesterday that there was no legal reason for officers to return the second assessment of the two sites to councillors.

Paul Brown QC, representing the council, told the court that officers had delegated powers, which covered work such as assessments and modifications to the plan.

He said they were not “legally required” to check further with councillors after carrying out the work.

Mr Justice Holgate closed the judicial review hearing, which was held remotely due to coronavirus, this afternoon and will now consider his verdict.