Harrogate district covid rate soars — but no more deaths

Another 73 covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district, according to today’s figures by Public Health England.

The district’s seven-day covid rate of infection has rocketed to 351 people per 100,000 — the highest in North Yorkshire.

The North Yorkshire average is 273 and the England rate is 272.

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However, the number of patients being treated for covid at Harrogate District Hospital has declined to two.

No covid-related deaths have been reported at the hospital since April 11.

A total of 216,414 vaccinations have been given in the district, according to Public Health England statistics.

The number includes 119,202 people receiving a first dose and 97,212 second doses.

Just 10 fly-tipping fines in Harrogate district despite 2,000 reported incidents

Just 10 fines have been handed out for fly-tipping in the Harrogate district over the last three years despite almost 2,000 reported incidents.

Of those 10 fines, only four have been paid in full by criminals caught in the act dumping mounds of waste across streets, parks and the countryside.

These eye-opening figures obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service reveal how fly-tippers are going largely unpunished.

Harrogate Borough Council, which is responsible for investigating dumped waste and has powers to issue £400 fines – has insisted it is standing firm and is asking the public for help to bring those responsible to the book in court.

A council spokesperson said officers will not hesitate to take strong action against those who are caught in the act but also admitted in many cases there is nothing they can do due to a lack of evidence.

The spokesperson said: 

“Fly-tipping is a selfish crime that blights the landscape and spoils everyone’s enjoyment of our towns and countryside.

“In order to prosecute we need to carry out thorough investigations and provide substantial evidence. This can be a challenge as not all fly-tipping contain personal or business details we can investigate.

“But we will not give up tackling fly-tippers and bringing them to justice.”

Of the 1,967 dumping incidents reported to the council over the last three years, 388 have been investigated by environmental protection officers.

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These investigations have resulted in 10 fixed penalty notices being issued but only four have been paid in full at a total cost of £1,600.

The issue of fly-tipping often stokes debate over whether charges at recycling centres are driving individuals and illegally-operating waste removal businesses to dump their rubbish at the roadside.

North Yorkshire County Council, which runs recycling centres in the Harrogate district, introduced charges for dumping waste including rubble, soil and plasterboard in 2014 but said there has been little evidence to suggest these have resulted in any increase in fly-tipping levels that would warrant a rethink.

Peter Jeffreys, the county council’s head of service for waste and countryside services, said: 

“The absence of a causal link between charging and fly-tipping suggests that the removal of charges may not reduce fly-tipping levels.

“It is important to remember that there is a large percentage of fly-tipped waste that can be disposed of for free at our Household Waste Recycling Centres.”

“The majority of residents and businesses take responsibility for the waste they produce. We will continue to educate, communicate and where necessary take enforcement action to protect the environment so it is safe for all to enjoy.”

The Harrogate and District Green Party said in a statement that cheaper and more accessible ways of recycling could help reduce fly-tipping.

The party also questioned whether private landowners should face the “onerous burden” to remove dumped waste at their own expense.

The party said: 

“We need a solution that doesn’t cost individuals and small businesses to recycle their waste that is easy and convenient to access, such as smaller satellite facilities.

“The council also needs to ensure that waste is responsibly recycled and can be re-used where possible, even as an opportunity for the council to recoup costs. Most importantly, waste is not dumped in other countries.”

In numbers: How Harrogate Borough Council has investigated fly-tipping

Harrogate district divided over wearing face masks after July 19

The Harrogate district is divided over whether to wear a face mask once the legal requirement is lifted on July 19.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that wearing a face covering in shops and businesses would become a personal choice in a few weeks’ time.

But people will still be encouraged to wear them in certain circumstances.

The lifting of the requirement will come alongside the scrapping of other restrictions, including the one metre social distancing rule and the reopening of nightclubs and mass events.

The Stray Ferret asked readers on our Facebook page whether they would still continue to wear a face covering after July 19.

About 150 replied and opinion was sharply divided.

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Some said they would continue to wear masks in crowded spaces and public transport.

Danni Wilson said:

“Yes, in certain circumstances. I’ve not had a cold in nearly two years.”

Robert Schofield said:

“Out of respect for the safety of others, I will wear a mask on public transport and in enclosed public spaces and commercial spaces.”

Alex Hero added:

“Yes on public transport, busy shops and crowded areas.”

However, others said it should be up to individuals to choose whether or not to wear a face covering.

Bradley Syril said:

“Everyone’s own choice, if they want to they can but I don’t think they should judge or discriminate anyone who doesn’t. We’re all old enough and grown up enough to make our own decisions.”

Philippa Graham said:

“In some circumstances, yes. Small busy shops, crowds and public transport. It needs to be up to the individual to risk assess their own circumstances.”

Others were adamant they would not wear a face covering.

Stephen Bellamy said:

“No I won’t be wearing a mask after 19 July. That is my choice.”

Map shows second covid vaccine rate in Harrogate district

Central Harrogate has the lowest second covid vaccine uptake in the Harrogate district, according to government figures.

An interactive map created by Public Health England shows the vaccination rate in all areas of the district.

Central Harrogate, which also has the lowest first dose rate, has a second vaccine uptake of 55%.

Dishforth, Baldersby and Markington currently has a second lowest uptake with 57%.

Knaresborough North and Knaresborough South and Follifoot have the highest uptakes. Both areas have a second dose rate of 76%.

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Spofforth, Burn Bridge and Huby also have a high uptake at 76%.

Latest figures show 118,142 people have had first doses and 97,104 have had second vaccines across the district.

It means a total of 215,246 vaccinations have been given so far.

Public Heath England statistics show the district currently has a first dose uptake of 83%, while the second dose rate is 68%.

Will compulsory care home vaccines cause staff shortages in Harrogate district?

The Harrogate district has a third of the 235 care homes in North Yorkshire, so government plans to make it compulsory for all care home staff to be vaccinated could have a significant impact locally. Tracey Holroyd, chair of care home group Warmest Welcome, which employs 230 staff and operates The Crest in Harrogate and Westfield House in Killinghall, writes about the issue and the wider challenges of running a care home in the pandemic.

There has been considerable debate recently about the issue of vaccinating staff in care homes. There are concerns some staff won’t agree to have the jab and consequently there could be staff shortages.

I’ve asked all the managers in our group and none of them say they are anticipating a problem as the take-up of the vaccine in our group has been good. We now establish that all new employees should be prepared to have the vaccine before we offer them a job as well.

I have colleagues in some geographical areas where staff of different ethnic backgrounds appear to be less happy about having the vaccine. For those homes it could be a big problem, as it’s already very difficult to recruit staff without making more barriers. But I don’t foresee it being a problem for us.

As far as I’m aware, only a couple of the 230 staff in our group don’t want it. One of them is terrified of injections. We’ve tried distracting her, promising her cake/alcohol but she nearly fainted when she saw the needle, so I don’t actually think that her refusal is anything to do with covid at all. The others are actively trying to become pregnant and so who can blame them? All the staff at Westfield in Killinghall are now vaccinated and happy to be so.

More to the point, why does this only apply to care home staff? Why doesn’t it also apply to NHS and domiciliary care staff? I don’t understand the logic behind this, if indeed there is any.

Recruitment problems

It’s already difficult to recruit in the care sector. The issue of vaccinations is not the problem; it’s a general lack of interest in people wanting to work in a care home. This is a national issue, rather than a local one, and if you want to recruit a qualified nurse it’s even harder

Another problem looming is that the Care Quality Commission, which regulates health and social care in England, is now due to release care home names and numbers of covid deaths.

The care home community is not happy about this — especially homes that put themselves forward as covid units, as their figures will naturally be very high. The numbers will also be higher for nursing homes than they are for residential homes, as their clients are much more poorly to start with, so are likely to have higher death rates.

The NHS is also asking us to encourage staff to take holidays now as they’re anticipating a spike in covid in September, which also makes me nervous, but we will see, I suppose it’s not guaranteed to happen. Being a care home operator in a global pandemic is exhausting and stressful!

More than 100 daily covid cases in Harrogate district

The Harrogate District has recorded more than 100 daily covid cases for the first time in six months.

According to today’s Public Health England figures, 108 infections have been reported.

It takes the total number of infections since last March to 8,963.

It’s the first time the figure has been more than 100 since January 11 when 138 were reported.

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Despite the increase in infections, no covid-related deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital since April 11.

Latest figures show just two patients are being treated for covid at the hospital.

Meanwhile, 118,142 people have had first doses and 97,104 have had a second vaccines across the district.

It means a total of 215,246 vaccinations have been given so far.

Public Heath England statistics show the district currently has a first dose uptake of 82.9%, while the second dose rate is 68.2%.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

Good morning. It’s Connor with you this morning updating you every 15 minutes on how the transport links are near you.

These blogs, brought to you by The HACS Group, will show you where the traffic hotspots and temporary traffic lights are and tell you of any train and bus delays.

Let us know if you experience any delays on 01423 276197.

9am – Full Update 

That is all from me this morning on the traffic blog. Do keep an eye here for updates on the train disruption this morning. I will be back here from 6.30am tomorrow morning.

Roads

The roads are just starting to become bus this morning with some traffic hotspots to report:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to become bus this morning with some traffic hotspots to report:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to become bus this morning with some traffic hotspots to report:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to become bus this morning with some traffic hotspots to report:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to become bus this morning with some traffic hotspots to report:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to become bus this morning with some traffic hotspots to report:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are just starting to become bus this morning with some traffic hotspots to report:

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7.15am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.45am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

6.30am – Full Update 

Roads

The roads are looking clear so far this morning but keep checking in.

Temporary traffic lights are in place here:

Trains

Buses

Harrogate district covid rate at highest since January

The Harrogate district’s covid infection rate is at its highest level since January, according to latest figures.

Currently, the district’s average cases per 100,000 people stands at 303 – the most it has been since January 17.

The district also has the highest seven-day covid rate in North Yorkshire. Craven is the second highest with 273, while the lowest is Ryedale with 161.

The North Yorkshire average is 248 and the England rate is 246.

A further 82 cases of covid have been recorded in the Harrogate district, according to latest Public Health England statistics.

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It takes the total number of infections in the district since last March to 8,855.

Meanwhile, a total of 215,246 vaccination have been given across the district so far.

This includes 118,142 first doses and 97,104 second doses.

Latest government figures show that two patients are currently being treated for covid in Harrogate District Hospital.

However, no covid-related deaths have been recorded at the hospital since April 11.

It means the death toll at the hospital remains at 179, according to NHS England figures.

Blueprint to ‘level up’ rural North Yorkshire published today

A panel of experts has today published a series of recommendations to ‘level up’ poor rural areas and attract more young people to the county.

The experts are members of North Yorkshire’s Rural Commission, which was established by North Yorkshire County Council in 2019 to tackle some of the issues confronting the county.

North Yorkshire is England’s largest county. Eighty-five per cent of it is classed as very rural or super-sparse and the population density is five times below the national average.

Although employment is high, earnings are noticeably lower and the county’s workforce significantly less qualified than the national average

A total of 24 per cent of the people not working are retired compared to a national average of 13.6 per cent.

And 20 per cent of North Yorkshire’s rural areas have no broadband connection compared to 7 per cent in urban areas.

Today the commission released what it described as “radical and hard hitting” recommendations to address these issues. Read the full report here.

Ageing population

The commission highlighted the economic challenge of having an ageing population by estimating that if North Yorkshire had the same percentage of young working adults as the national average, the area would be £1.5 billion better off annually. The report says:

“Affordable rural housing must become a reality rather than an aspiration and this will require more houses in rural and remote areas rather than on the edges of market towns.”

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Devolution essential to success

The report also describes devolution as essential for helping to level up the North Yorkshire rural economy

It says central government must ensure additional powers and funding for the devolved authority so it has enough capacity financially to make a difference.

It also calls for the creation of a task force consisting of civil servants, academics, scientists, rural businesses and local communities to advise the devolved authority on implementing the recommendations in this report.

The Very Reverend John Dobson DL, Dean of Ripon and chair of the commission, said:

“The missing generation of younger workers in the county hinders the ability of North Yorkshire to achieve the full potential of an effective economy.

“North Yorkshire needs a strong devolved authority to tackle the problems faced by its rural and remote areas.”

The report describes digital connection as a human right and sets out plans for a mutual bank as a way to invest in sparsely populated areas.

Dean John added:

“We now look to local and national government and many partners and stakeholders to take ownership of these recommendations and make this vision a reality.

“The future of rural communities is at stake.”

 

Harrogate district records 331 cases of Delta variant

A total of 331 cases of the Delta variant have been confirmed in the Harrogate district, according to latest government figures.

The number represents cases up to June 30 – and is a 42% increase from the 233 that were reported for the seven days up to June 23.

In separate data, a further 70 covid infections were recorded in today’s daily figures.

According to Public Health England, the total number of cases in the district since last March stands at 8,615.

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However, no covid-related deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital since April 11.

The covid death toll at the hospital remains at 179.

Meanwhile, the district’s seven-day rate has reached 200 per 100,000 people for the first time since January.

Elsewhere, the North Yorkshire average is 184 and the England rate is 191.