Harrogate Archives - Page 868 of 954

HBC chief executive defends civic centre figures

Throughout this week the Stray Ferret is publishing excerpts from an interview conducted with Harrogate Borough Council’s chief executive Wallace Sampson OBE.

Today’s section looks at the council’s new headquarters, the civic centre off King’s Road, which opened in November 2017.

A Stray Ferret investigation published last year revealed the total cost was in the region of £17m. This figure was disputed by HBC which says it cost £11.5m.

This is because HBC did not include the value of the council-owned land on which it was built, which local experts valued at at least £4.5m.

Mr Sampson, why didn’t the council factor in the cost of the land that it already owned when it published how much the building cost?

When we looked at embarking on the civic centre we ultimately decided to build on an existing site. It was for the council and councillors to ask what will be the cost of construction for the civic centre.

We presented that to councillors in order for them to make the decision which was based on the cost of construction which, as you know, was £11.5m.

The issue for councillors was, what was the overall gross cost for the construction of the civic centre for us to build it on our land? That was the important factor that featured in decision making and we delivered the building pretty much on budget.

The council developed an office accommodation project that was much more than building the civic centre. It was about how can we change and shape the way the council works and how can the council dispose of buildings that we no longer require to support the local economy. I think we’ve done that very successfully.

But wouldn’t it have been financially prudent for the council to sell the land that it already owned and build the offices elsewhere?

Once the decision was taken we then looked at the cost of construction on that site. That was the only consideration that the council needed to take. If you are looking to build the home, and you already own the land, you don’t factor in the cost of the land when you already own the land.

We undertook a thorough exercise for the various options. We looked at building elsewhere on our land or acquiring land. The preferred option ultimately came out was to build on one of our existing sites.

Are you preparing for the future of the building following reorganisation?

One benefit of having built the civic centre is we have a modern, fit-for-purpose building for flexible office space that is very energy efficient. It puts it in a really strong position, regardless of what happens with local government reorganisation. It ensures there is modern office space that’s available within the Harrogate district.

My own view is I don’t think local government reorganisation will affect the use of the civic centre. There will still be a requirement for office space within Harrogate to support whatever happens through local government reorganisation.

Harrogate has modern purpose-built offices with flexible use built with very high energy-efficient standards. It puts us in a really good position with local government reorganisation to ensure there are offices devoted to service delivery within Harrogate.

Are you hoping to work in the new local authority whatever that might be?

I’m very focused on supporting the council through these changes and we’ll have to see what happens.

Harrogate man died from drugs, not head injury, inquest told

A coroner has ruled that a Harrogate man died as a result of drugs rather than a head injury, as police first believed.

Aaron Atkinson, 38, who was homeless at the time of his death, was found at a flat at Park House Green on May 7 last year.

North Yorkshire Police arrested two men, aged 46 and 40 at the time, on suspicion of murder and robbery shortly after the incident.

However, the force has now dropped its suspicions of murder.

It told the Stray Ferret today that one of the two suspects remains under investigation for assault and robbery. The other is still under investigation for robbery and theft.

Jonathan Leach, assistant coroner for North Yorkshire and York, said at an inquest in Northallerton today:

“It is clear from the reports I have seen that Aaron Atkinson had a history of alcohol and drug abuse.

“Mr Atkinson was found unresponsive at a flat on Park House Green at 3am. The post-mortem found that he had taken heroin, cocaine, alcohol and anti-depressants.

“I have found the cause of death to be drugs-related.”

A mother’s tribute

Christine Bloomfield, Mr Atkinson’s mother, was at the inquest and told the Stray Ferret about her son’s life:

“People should remember Aaron for his heart of gold and his smile. He was a loving brother and son.

“He just got on the wrong path and went through a lot of heartache. Aaron recently lost his nan, dad and wife.

“My son was getting back on track. I saw him before he died in March and he had cleaned himself up.

“When we go through a life with a lot of sadness we all go in search for something to comfort us. With him it was drugs and alcohol.

“But he started to realise that he needed to make some changes. I believed him, he was doing well and I was proud of him. Then this happened.”

Harrogate Theatre to replace 120-year-old roof

Harrogate Theatre is set to undergo a major £1 million refurbishment, which will include replacing the original 120-year-old roof.

The windows and guttering will also be repaired to ensure the building is fit for many years to come.

Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet will discuss fully funding the £1 million project at the end of the month.

The council has already carried out fire safety works at the building over the last year.

The theatre hopes that, if agreed, work can start as early as May, which would coincide with a new season of performances.

The theatre plans to host shows across the district this summer. Performances will be staged in different venues and community spaces.

The performances will be part of the theatre’s aptly-named Raise the Roof season. Our Gate, a large community project that will be at the heart of the season, will explore Harrogate’s connection to water.

The theatre has also confirmed the return of Emergence Dance for a one-off digital stream. Harrogate Comedy Festival will also return but will be held in community spaces.

The community spaces could include the Royal Hall, Harrogate Convention Centre and other places across the district.

Harrogate Theatre

David Bown, chief executive of the theatre, said:

“We are extremely excited to be reconnecting with our audiences out in the community whilst the theatre is being much improved and made safer for our return.

“We’re working closely with Harrogate Borough Council to minimise disruption and relocate events where possible.

“We look forward to hosting live events back at the theatre as soon as we can.”

Stanley Lumley, cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport at Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“All buildings need maintenance, and the theatre is no exception. We are planning to invest over £1million this year to allow these fantastic performances to continue.

“These are significant works to any building, especially one that is a triangle shape, a listed building and on a hill.

“Working with the theatre, we’re aiming to get most of the works undertaken when the theatre would be closed over the summer.”

Police appeal for help after row on Skipton Road

Police are appealing for witnesses to a heated argument on Skipton Road in Harrogate.

It happened near the junction of Woodfield Road between 2am and 3am on Saturday.

The altercation was between a man and a woman in the same car.

North Yorkshire Police is seeking help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from any witnesses to the incident or anyone who may have CCTV.

Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Matthew Reeve.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210072735.

Harrogate murder trial set for October

A murder trial following the death of Harrogate man Mark Wolsey will take place at Leeds Crown Court from October 18.

The date was set at a hearing at Leeds Crown Court this afternoon.

Daniel Liam Ainsley, 23, of no fixed abode, has been charged with the murder and is remanded in custody.

He spoke at the hearing only to confirm his name.

A pre-trial preparation hearing will take place in early April.

Mark Wolsey died on Friday at a flat on Mayfield Grove, Harrogate after sustaining serious injuries.

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Dramatic fall in number of covid patients at Harrogate hospital

The number of patients at Harrogate District Hospital with coronavirus has more than halved in a week.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust revealed today the hospital currently has 18 coronavirus patients compared with 42 last week — a reduction of 24.

At its peak, there were 67 people in the hospital with the virus and the number had remained stubbornly high in recent weeks despite the declining covid infection rate locally.

Amanda Bloor, accountable officer for North Yorkshire Clinical Commissio ning Group, told a press briefing today the current covid wave had been “long and hard” on hospital staff but that the situation was finally improving.

“The trend is very much in the downward direction and that’s very positive and where we want to see it.”

Ms Bloor also commented on the Harrogate Nightingale hospital, which NHS England confirmed this week will be decommissioned and returned to Harrogate Borough Council from next month.

She added:

“It’s the right time to stand the Nightingale down but we’re lucky we had it there.

“Throughout the last year, it’s been a vital insurance policy in our approach to managing covid.

“It also provided a valuable role supporting routine care as well as safe and fast access to CT scanning.”

Police issue covid fine warning to cyclists

Police have warned cyclists not to take their bikes on cars for rides in North Yorkshire — or they could be fined.

Superintendent Mike Walker, who leads the county’s police response to covid, told a press briefing this morning there had been an increase in the number of cyclists taking bikes on cars.

Speaking at North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which co-ordinates the county’s response to covid, he said cyclists doing this were undermining efforts to tackle the spread of the disease.

Government guidance says exercise should be limited to once a day, and you should stay within your local area.

Superintendent Walker urged people not to travel from their village, town or city. He added:

“We will take positive action against those who choose to breach regulations and put safety and lives at risk.”

Superintendent Walker revealed that 10 covid fixed penalty notices were issued in the past week in the Harrogate district.

Twenty were issued in the previous seven days.

Harrogate Convention Centre to reopen on June 26

Harrogate Convention Centre is set to re-open on 21 June when government guidelines permit.

Paula Lorimer, director of the centre, which has operated as a Nightingale hospital for the past year, said she was confident the venue would be ready to re-open by that date.

All restrictions on social distancing are due to be lifted on June 21.

Ms Lorimer said:

“Discussions with colleagues from the NHS about their plans for returning the Harrogate Convention Centre to us are on-going.

“However, we are confident that the venue will reopen from 21 June in-line with government restrictions ending.

“We have more than 30 confirmed events planned between June and next March, and a further 56 provisional events in the diary that we hope to confirm in due course.

“We also have more than 115 events confirmed and provisionally booked in the Royal Hall over the same period.”

The convention centre website currently lists events from May 6 in the ‘What’s On’ but says the dates are to be confirmed.

The first events listed after June 21 are Harrogate Proms on June 26 and Harrogate International Nursery Fair on June 27 to 29.

Ms Lorimer added that conferences, exhibitions and events had been “one of the most severely hit during the pandemic” but the industry would be back soon.

The loss-making convention centre is due to undergo a £47 million redevelopment amid concerns it will not survive without it.

Harrogate Borough Council has awarded Dutch firm Arcadis a £1.1 million contract to design plans for the first phase of the redevelopment.

Harrogate driving instructors walk 1.3 million steps for local charity

Four Harrogate driving instructors are making the most of time off work by walking 1.3 million steps between them to raise money for local charity Frank’s Fund.

Jayne Sorrell, Katie Faircloth, Jaimie White and Chris Buck will walk a minimum of 11,000 steps each day individually throughout the month to reach their goal of £500 by March 31.

They will be raising money for Frank’s Fund, which is a Harrogate-based charity set up by the Ashton family after their son Frank died in 2019 of Ewing sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.

He lived in Harrogate with his family and beloved dog Barney and attended St Aidan’s Church of England High School.

Jayne Sorrell told the Stray Ferret that it’s a charity close to her heart:

“Ewing sarcoma is really badly funded and the outcomes are terrible. It’s the second biggest killer for children.”

The four driving instructors are members of the Harrogate Driving Instructors Association (HAADI) which every year chooses a different charity to raise money for.

Jayne and her fellow instructors are hoping to turn the negative experience of lockdown into a positive one through their mammoth walking effort.

She added:

“We tried to make something good out of not being able to work, and that’s what this walk is all about.”

To donate to the fundraiser click here.

Dutch firm awarded £1.1m design contract for Harrogate Convention Centre

Harrogate Borough Council has awarded a £1.1m contract to Dutch firm Arcadis to design the first phase of the £47 million redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre.

The firm was appointed following a procurement process using YORconsult2, which helps local authorities find consultants.

Arcadis employs 28,000 people in 70 countries, including the UK.

The council has been criticised previously for not working with local firms, including when it appointed Ipswich firm Jacob Bailey last year to redevelop its tourism website Visit Harrogate without a competitive tender process.

A council spokesman said:

“Arcadis will also work with a number of highly skilled, local and regional architects, engineers and specialists.”

The convention centre, which is due to return to council control next month after operating as a Nightingale hospital for a year, usually attracts 157,000 visitors a year. The council estimates its annual economic impact to be £35m.

But although the venue brings significant income to the district, the building itself makes a loss and requires a subsidy.

According to council documents, the building is now in ‘critical need of investment’.

The council has estimated that doing nothing would cost at least £19m in long-term maintenance.

It has therefore agreed to a £46.8m redevelopment delivered in two phases.

Arcadis will provide the design development and detailed feasibility of phase one, including an options appraisal into the district heating system. The council will then decide whether to proceed to phase two.

The council has also agreed to appoint a project manager for three years at a cost of £155,000, funded by borrowing.