mayor Archives - Page 4 of 7 - The Stray Ferret

Councillors to elect ceremonial mayor for Harrogate this month

Councillors will elect a mayor for the town of Harrogate at a meeting this month.

Called a ‘charter mayor’, the non-political role will involve promoting the historic and ceremonial traditions of the Harrogate area during events and occasions such as Remembrance Sunday.

The mayor will be chosen by the Harrogate ‘charter trustees’, which are 10 councillors who represent divisions covering the unparished parts of Harrogate town.

This differs from the former Harrogate Borough Council mayor who covered the whole of the former borough and undertook a much wider range of engagements.

Like the Harrogate Borough Council mayor, the charter mayor will also serve a term of 12 months.

If a Harrogate Town Council is created, it will assume responsibility for the mayoral position from North Yorkshire Council.

The new council has allocated an annual budget of £12,100 for Harrogate charter trustee business.

The mayor and deputy mayor will be elected at a meeting of the Harrogate charter trustees on April 17 at the Civic Centre in Harrogate.

Ceremonial robes and chains most recently used by the last HBC mayor, Victoria Oldham, will be used by the new mayor.

On the final day of the council’s existence last week, Ms Oldham tweeted:

“Thank you everyone who has made my 10 months as the last mayor of the borough of Harrogate so special.

“I have enjoyed meeting so many caring, marvellous people. Also, special thanks to my deputy mayor Cllr Robert Windass for his help, and being my consort.”

North Yorkshire Council’s assistant chief executive for legal and democratic services, Barry Khan, said:

“The charter trustees are non-political. Nominations for mayor and deputy mayor will be made at the first annual meeting on Monday, April 17, where they will be voted on.

“The mayor will wear the chains of office when acting as mayor. The robes are usually reserved for ceremonial occasions at which the mayor feels they are appropriate.“

Zoë Metcalfe confirms bid to become North Yorkshire’s first mayor

Zoë Metcalfe has confirmed she wants to stand as the Conservative candidate in next year’s York and North Yorkshire mayoral election.

Ms Metcalfe, who lives near Boroughbridge, is the current North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

The Stray Ferret reported on Saturday that she was believed to be planning a bid for election.

Ms Metcalfe is the first person to formally declare an intention to stand for the role of mayor, which is being created as part of the North Yorkshire devolution process. The election will be held in 14 months’ time.

The mayor will oversee a significant budget for York and North Yorkshire covering areas such as transport, education and housing.

He or she will also swallow up the commissioner’s role currently occupied by Ms Metcalfe, who was born in Ripon, educated in Harrogate and lives in Aldborough.

Speaking to the media

In a statement issued last night, she said she was “uniquely qualified” for the role and had the “necessary business experience and close links to Westminster to promote economic growth”,

Ms Metcalfe is a former Harrogate borough councillor who was elected to the commissioner’s role in 2021 following the resignation of fellow Conservative Philip Allott.

Since taking up the role on a salary of £74,000, she has overseen the introduction of a Risk and Resource Model for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, which sets out how resources will be deployed from 2022 to 2025.

The changes included reducing Harrogate Fire Station’s nighttime cover from two fire engines to one.

‘Close links to Westminster’

Ms Metcalfe’s statement in full said:

“This is a really exciting role that I am uniquely qualified to do.

“The mayor will have responsibility for economic growth, transport, housing and regeneration, but will also see the integration of the responsibilities and decision making of my current role as Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner within it too.

“There is a rich synergy between creating safer streets and economic growth, two areas that I am passionate about.

“I have the necessary business experience and close links to Westminster to promote economic growth. I will also continue the great work I have started in turning around community safety in York and North Yorkshire and I will see through the transformation of both the police force and fire and rescue service.

“I have always been a supporter of devolution as it will bring many exciting opportunities for York and North Yorkshire, it will be a great platform to enable and enrich the lives of our residents and businesses bringing hundreds of millions of pounds worth of investment into our region”.

Is crime commissioner Zoe Metcalfe aiming to be North Yorkshire’s first mayor?

Zoe Metcalfe, the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, is hoping to stand for election to become the county’s first mayor, the Stray Ferret understands.

A Conservative Party source has told the Stray Ferret that Ms Metcalfe had indicated she planned to launch a bid for the party’s nomination for next year’s mayoral election.

The mayor will oversee a significant budget for York and North Yorkshire and have the power to allocate funds to areas such as transport, education and housing.

He or she will also swallow up the commissioner’s role currently occupied by Ms Metcalfe.

Ms Metcalfe has strong local connections: she was born in Ripon, educated in Harrogate and lives near Boroughbridge.

A former Harrogate borough councillor, she was elected to her commissioner’s role in 2021 with 39.5% of the vote in a by-election caused by the resignation of fellow Conservative Philip Allott following comments he made about the murder of Sarah Everard.

The changes included reducing Harrogate Fire Station’s nighttime cover from two fire engines to one.

The commissioner’s role gives Ms Metcalfe a countywide profile that could enhance her prospects of winning the Conservative nomination for mayor — a new role being created as part of North Yorkshire devolution.

The Stray Ferret contacted the crime commissioner’s office asking whether Ms Metcalfe planned to stand but did not receive a response.

Tributes paid to ‘larger than life’ former Ripon and Harrogate mayor

Tributes have been paid to former Ripon councillor and mayor Bernard Bateman, who died last week.

Mr Bateman represented Ripon North for the Conservatives on North Yorkshire County Council until 2017 after first being elected in 1999 as a Liberal Democrat.

He stood for the Liberal Democrats in Skipton and Ripon in the 2001 general election, coming second to the Conservative David Curry.

He was also the Conservative member for Wathvale ward on Harrogate Borough Council until last year and is a former mayor of both Harrogate and Ripon.

Councillors observed a minute’s silence at a meeting in Harrogate yesterday evening.

Mr Bateman served as chairman of the county council in 2013/14 and was granted honorary alderman status.

Director of Wolseley Hughes

Before entering local politics in North Yorkshire, Mr Bateman had a career in business and was a director of Wolseley Hughes Plc in Ripon.

He also helped create the World Plumbing Council, which has worked with the World Health Organisation to install safe water supplies and drainage systems in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Mr Bateman was awarded an MBE in 1989 for services to industry.

Cllr Mike Chambers, Harrogate Borough Council’s executive member for housing, said:

“It is with deepest sadness to hear of the passing of my friend and former colleague Bernard Bateman MBE.

“I have known Bernard for many years, serving together as both Harrogate borough and county councillors.

“Bernard was such as wonderful, larger-than-life, character and his passing is so very, very sad.

“On behalf of the borough council, and my colleagues, I would like to extend our most sincere condolences to Bernard’s wife, Linda, and family at this time.”

Conservative councillor Sam Green won the Wathvale seat on Harrogate Borough Council in a by-election last year after Mr Bateman stepped down.

Mr Bateman with Cllr Sam Green. Pic credit: Cllr Sam Green

Cllr Green paid tribute to his “friend and political mentor.”

“Bernard wasn’t your typical politician, he was a genuine and sincere man and a people’s person who would go out of his way to help anyone.

“He immediately looked out for me and took me under his wing when I first became involved with the Skipton & Ripon Conservatives association some years ago.

“Looking back now, I can see he consciously but subtly did so much to encourage and help me grow as a person and to support my political ambitions, introducing me to so many people during his mayoral year and even asking me to do a reading at his mayoral concert in front of hundreds of people – something I had never done before and undoubtedly furthered my confidence with public speaking.

“I have so many fond memories of my time with Bernard, not least our trip to Wrexham in the mayoral car to support Harrogate Town away. I was then ultimately honoured to have been elected to Bernard’s Wathvale seat following his resignation and would not be where I am today without his help and friendship.”

Harrogate district charities urged to get creative to win Dragons’ Den event

Harrogate district voluntary organisations that come up with a striking photograph encapsulating what they do could receive a funding boost this year.

Two Ridings Community Foundation holds an annual High Sheriff’s Dragons’ Den event in which community groups pitch for funding in front of a panel and audience.

It usually awards individual grants of between £3,000 and £7,000 from a total funding pot of £30,000.

Birstwith artist Clare Granger has been nominated High Sheriff of North Yorkshire this year and she plans to take a creative approach to the event.

This week’s event at Allerton Castle

Speaking at an event at Allerton Castle this week to thank groups that took part in last year’s Dragons’ Den, Ms Granger said the idea of a more visual approach and an exhibition of entries appealed to her.

She said organisations would be assessed on the strength of their images and an explanation of how each one represented their work, rather than by making a standard spoken pitch.

Two Ridings Community Foundation has yet to reveal final details of this year’s event.

As high sheriff Ms Granger, who has a studio at home, will represent law and order in the county on behalf of the king, assuming her nomination is ratified at York Crown Court in April.

About 100 representatives from voluntary organisations took part in this week’s event at Allerton Castle, which will host this year’s Dragons’ Den event and exhibit the photos.

It was organised by Jonathan Wright, a trustee of the charity that maintains Allerton Castle. Harrogate district Mayor Victoria Oldham and deputy mayor Robert Windass were among those attending.

Robert Windass Victoria Oldham and Jonathan Wright

(from left) Robert Windass, Jonathan Wright and Victoria Oldham

Harrogate to get new civic figurehead in place of mayor

Harrogate will get a new civic figurehead from April to perform ceremonial duties following the abolition of Harrogate Borough Council.

The role of the mayor will be abolished along with the council this spring, to make way for the unitary authority North Yorkshire Council.

From April 1, a new position called a charter trustee will be created by North Yorkshire Council and will remain in place until the likely creation of a Harrogate town council.

The charter trustee would only represent the unparished area of Harrogate, which includes the town centre and surrounding areas such as Bilton and Starbeck.

Like the current mayor of the borough, they would wear mayoral chains and other civic regalia.

North Yorkshire County Council leader Cllr Carl Les, who will also lead the new authority, said the first charter trustees would be voted in by councillors at a meeting in April.

These will be the 10 councillors sitting on North Yorkshire Council with wards that fall within the unparished area.

He said:

“Charter trustees will come into existence on April 1, following the dissolution of Harrogate Borough Council, and will remain in place unless or until a town council is created which would take responsibility for the continuation of the mayoral and civic function.

“They will be responsible for the mayoral chains and other civic regalia and for continuing any ceremonial rights and traditions in the unparished areas.”

The mayor of the borough has historically been appointed by HBC each year, usually in May, and chairs meetings of the full council.

He or she is known as the “first citizen” of the borough and also represents the council on ceremonial occasions, welcomes visitors and attends events organised by local people and community groups.

In recent years, the holder of the role has rotated between Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors.

The current and final mayor is Victoria Oldham, Conservative councillor for Washburn. The deputy mayor is Robert Windass, Conservative councillor for Boroughbridge.

Other areas of the borough, such as Knaresborough, Ripon and Pateley Bridge, already have their own mayors and these will be unaffected by devolution.

Harrogate’s Windsor House gets new co-working space and cafe

A new co-working space, meeting area and café have opened in Harrogate’s Windsor House.

The facilities were created during the second phase of a refurbishment of the imposing building, which overlooks Valley Gardens.

Owned by property firm Boultbee Brooks, Windsor House is home to more than 115 businesses, and includes 75,000 sq ft of flexible workspace.

Harrogate borough mayor, Cllr Victoria Oldham, officially opened the new facilities at an event attended by more than 100 dignitaries.

Mayor Victoria Oldham cuts the ribbon.

The refurbishment, which included repairing the leaky roof and installing new furniture, has been overseen by interior design firm and Windsor House tenant RU Creative, which sourced and installed the main focal point — an olive tree.

The new space seats 110 people, who can visit the renovated café, which has been renamed The Pantry at Windsor House. The pantry is run by husband-and-wife Antonio and Jo Nobile.

The building, formerly the Grand Hotel, is a short walk from the town centre.

Karen Winspear, Boultbee Brooks’ building manager for Windsor House, said:

“After four months of intense work and much anticipation, we are delighted to have opened this beautiful new space for our tenants.

“The grand foyer, which has been returned to its former glory, is a luxurious space for workers to meet clients, to work together, or just relax over a coffee or lunch.

“There is more to come at Windsor House, with plans to open a new yoga studio in the new year.”

Junior soldiers to plant 10,000 crocuses on Harrogate’s Stray

Junior soldiers in Harrogate will plant 10,000 crocuses on the Stray on Saturday.

The flowers will enhance the line of trees known as Peace Avenue close to the Empress Roundabout — adjacent to Skipton Road.

The Peace Avenue, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Harrogate in 2014, was originally planted by school children from across Harrogate to commemorate the soldiers who died in the First World War.

The junior soldiers from Harrogate’s Army Foundation College will add to their efforts by planting 10,000 Jeanne d’Arc white crocuses on the weekend after Remembrance Sunday.

Lt Daniel Curry, commanding officer at AFC Harrogate, said:

“It will be a privilege to aid in the planting of the white crocuses alongside the Rotary Club of Harrogate.

“Both the club and college have given the junior soldiers the opportunity to help the local community complete their Duke of Edinburgh Award and being so close to Remembrance Sunday, remember those who served before them and gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

Harrogate borough mayor, Cllr Victoria Oldham, is due to attend the event.

Knaresborough urged to ‘think big’ to maximise growth opportunity

Experts have urged Knaresborough to ‘think big’ to help the town’s economy make the most of upcoming major political changes.

They said the town needs to focus on something eye-catching and big — such as a cliff lift — to maximise the potential of North Yorkshire devolution.

Knaresborough and District Chamber of Trade invited the experts to talk about how to seize the opportunities presented by the creation of a combined authority and mayor for North Yorkshire and York in 2024.

The changes will bring £540 million into the county over a 30-year period and see transport, skills and education decision-making powers devolved to the mayor from central government.

James Farrar, chief operating officer for the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said town centres would be a major focus of whoever is elected mayor because the county does not have a large urban city.

He recommended the town focus on securing funding for one major, eye-catching initiative that would appeal to the whoever is elected mayor.

“Town centres will be important to the mayor and the places that do well will be the places that have a plan.

“Don’t wait for the money — get on the front foot. Have a clear plan and understand your priorities.

“Think about the one thing you want in Knaresborough.”

This week’s chamber meeting. Pic: Charlotte Gale

Mr Farrar added many businesses were looking to move out of York because there was no more space to expand and towns like Knaresborough could take advantage.

Alan Reiss, director of strategy for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, told the meeting devolution “massively amplifies the voice of a region” and that North Yorkshire looked like securing a “great deal” financially.

Christian Spence, an economist from Open Innovations, a not-for-profit organisation that uses data to help people make decisions, told the meeting the Knaresborough area was growing rapidly but not in the town centre itself.

By contrast, he said growth had doubled in the south of Knaresborough and Follifoot, over the last 10 years.

Peter Lacey, an executive member of the chamber who owns a nationwide consulting firm, said Knaresborough had lots great ideas but needed to find a common purpose.

He was one of several people at the meeting to suggest a cliff lift could be the big idea that levered funding into Knaresborough. He said:

“We’ve got some great companies based here, but to date there’s been little joined-up thinking about how we can all add to the wellbeing of local residents, the community and how we see the future of the town as a thriving centre of innovation and growth.”

Grants up to £3,000 available to Harrogate district community groups

Community groups in the Harrogate district are being invited to apply for grants of up to £3,000.

The Local Fund for the Harrogate District opened today for applications to its latest round of awards.

The fund is a three-way partnership between Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate & District Community Action and Two Ridings Community Foundation.

it focuses on small organisations with charitable aims where a small amount of money can make a significant difference.

The guidance notes say:

“Local groups can apply for activities and services that support people, keeping them connected to their community and with each other.

“This may be particularly important during the cost-of-living crisis, you may want to run more activities throughout the winter months, so people have a warm space to access.

“We cannot support overheads alone but encourage you to include them as part of your application and our commitment to full cost recovery.”

A total of 14 groups received a total of £40,688 in the last funding round, which was celebrated at an event at West Park Hotel in Harrogate last night.

Successful applicants included Boroughbridge and District Community Care, Nidderdale and Pateley Bridge Men’s Shed, St. Andrew’s Church in Burnt Yates, Pannal Ash Junior Football Club and Harrogate District of Sanctuary.

A total of £84,681 was given to 29 groups in the previous year.

The deadline for the new funding round is January 9. Decisions will be made by mid-February.

Grants from £200 to £3,000 are available.

Applicants must be based in and/or working in the area served by Harrogate Borough Council.

Further details are available here.

Jan Garrill, chief executive of Two Ridings Community Foundation, said:

“It is five years since The Local Fund was launched and since 2018, 88 projects have been supported and £237,266 paid out in grants.

“These grants have supported activities around mental health, inequality, hidden poverty and loneliness. More recently they have assisted in the response to and recovery from covid and now the impact of increases in the cost of living.

“Despite the local government changes in 2023 the fund will remain for the long term, supporting local grass roots community action across the whole of the district and with local people involved in decisions about the awards.”

Pic shows: Harrogate borough mayor, Councillor Victoria Oldham (centre), with voluntary sector representatives at last night’s event.

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