Council considers North Yorkshire knowledge test for taxi drivers

Harrogate taxi drivers may be required to have knowledge of Skipton and Ryedale, under proposals being considered by county council bosses.

The local knowledge test licensed drivers must pass to carry passengers looks likely to be adapted, a meeting examining a move to create the country’s largest single taxi zone has heard.

Under proposals already put forward, the new North Yorkshire Council would create a single licensing policy for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles in the entire county.

It would mean drivers in Harrogate could operate anywhere in North Yorkshire, whereas they are currently restricted to the Harrogate district.

Councillors examining issues over harmonising taxi services heard the Department for Transport believed abolishing the seven zones would cut dead mileage for drivers and boost customer choice.

At the moment, the district and borough councils all have a knowledge test restricted to their areas, and it is unclear how much knowledge a taxi driver based in Selby would need to have of villages in the Yorkshire Dales.

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To ensure customers get good service, taxi drivers wanting to trade in Hambleton district must pick the right multiple choice answer to questions such as: 

“You are on the rank situated on Northallerton High Street when a customer asks you to take him to Darlington. Which road would you take out of Northallerton?”

Officers leading the proposals said they were examining how the knowledge test could be applied across North Yorkshire.

However, the proposals have been criticised by some local drivers.

Councillors were told taxi drivers in Harrogate in particular had formed “very vociferous” views over the proposals, which also include not setting a limit for the amount of taxis that can be licensed.

‘Straw that breaks the camel’s back’

Since North Yorkshire County Council launched a consultation over the proposed changes in October, many taxi drivers have criticised the plans, saying they could be the straw that break’s the camel’s back after suffering a loss of trade due to covid and high fuel costs.

Richard Fieldman, who has operated his cab in Ripon for 28 years, told the Stray Ferret previously that the planned changes would see drivers “swamp” areas during the busiest times of day.

Mr Fieldman said the move would see quieter areas deprived of taxis during the busier times.

He said:

“It will mean that any taxi can work in any area.

“You are going to have swamps of taxis in busy areas at busy times. That in itself brings chaos.”

A consultation into the policy changes is open until January 19, 2023. You can have your say here.

Who will make decisions on new homes in the Harrogate district in 2023?

A debate is brewing over who should decide on plans for new housing in the Harrogate district.

Currently, Harrogate Borough Council makes decisions on proposals for new homes and major developments.

But this will be taken out of the council’s hands in April 2023 when North Yorkshire Council takes over.

Some politicians argue that planning powers should be given to local areas.

But, for council bosses, it appears the matter is not so straight forward.

Local areas should make planning decisions

Ahead of the new council being formed, North Yorkshire County Council set up a working group to look at how planning matters should be decided.

The authority is set to approve measures to create its own Local Plan – but has yet to decide how planning decisions should be made.

For most councillors, they believe the area constituency committees should be in charge of such decisions affecting their own areas.

The committees are made up of county councillors from a local area, such as Harrogate and Knaresborough, and discuss matters relevant to that place.

New housing under construction at King Edwin Park in Harrogate.

New housing under construction at King Edwin Park in Harrogate.

Cllr Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat chair of Harrogate and Knaresborough area committee, pointed out that not handing powers to such committees would “erode accountability”.

She said:

“The devolution of decision making powers on planning is the right thing to do. How is a Councillor in Scarborough supposed to understand the impacts or issues of a particular development in Harrogate?

“In the new North Yorkshire Council structure Area Committees will be key, they should be given powers to direct local services and they should have budgets to make that happen. 

“Having one huge planning authority for the entire of North Yorkshire would be impractical, costly and would erode local accountability.”

The issue is particularly pertinent when it comes to major developments.

In Harrogate, decisions are still expected on a bottling plant at Harrogate Spring Water and a 3,000 home town between Knaresborough and Cattall called Maltkiln.

Major developments

Councillors believe that such decisions should be made at a local level.

However, in a county council report, officials suggested that a threshold should be set for applications to be made a county-wide committee.

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One of the suggestions was that decisions on applications for 500 houses or more would be taken by North Yorkshire Council.

Cllr Arnold Warneken, a Green Party county councillor who represents Ouseburn, said he had concerns over such a threshold.

He said that area committees should have input on major applications, whether they are made at a county level or not.

Cllr Warneken said:

“We got to have a situation where they [local committees] get some input.

“If they are always a consultee then they will have their say.

“I do not want to leave this down to chance, I want it written into the council’s strategy.”

‘Two models being considered’

Conservative Cllr Simon Myers,, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for growth and housing, said two models are being considered for planning across the county.

He said the aim for the new authority was a “co-ordinated planning policy overseen by one over-arching authority”.

He said:

“This will help attract new enterprise and also bring in much-needed new homes to address the affordable housing issues which are seen across North Yorkshire, but especially in our rural and coastal communities. 

“We envisage several committees will make key planning decisions when the new council launches from April 1 next year. 

“There are currently two models which are being considered for the new North Yorkshire Council to ensure that planning policies are co-ordinated in the best possible manner and are addressing the needs of local communities. 

“The first option would see six planning committees introduced based on constituency areas, while the other proposal would see the six committees condensed into three. Both options with see a strategic committee dealing with major planning applications as well as decisions concerning waste and minerals. 

“A great deal of work has gone into making sure that planning decisions are made effectively with the advent of the new council, and I have chaired a group of members who have been looking at the issue. I would like to put on record that I am extremely grateful for all the work that has been undertaken by both members and officers.”

The county council’s executive will consider the options and make a decision when members meet on Tuesday next week (December 13). 

That decision will then go to a full council meeting in February when it will be discussed and ratified ahead of the launch of the new council.

Councillors give backing to Harrogate council chief executive’s £101,000 redundancy pay-out

Councillors have backed a package worth £101,274 for outgoing Harrogate Borough Council chief executive Wallace Sampson.

The five councillors on the authority’s chief officer’s employment committee, which includes four Conservatives and one Liberal Democrat, met yesterday to discuss a report written by HBC’s head of legal & governance Jennifer Norton.

The report recommends Mr Sampson is paid a settlement due to the impending abolition of HBC.

HBC will cease to exist along with six other district councils and North Yorkshire County Council from April 1, 2023. A new unitary authority called North Yorkshire Council will replace them to run services across the county.

Mr Sampson’s settlement is made up of a contractual £71,633 redundancy payment and £29,641 for a 12 week notice period that he will not have to work as his job will end on March 31. 

He is paid a salary of £118,447.

After HBC is abolished, his employment would automatically transfer to North Yorkshire Council. 

However, the report says because the new council is “likely to refuse to recognise” Mr Sampson as an employee he would be “effectively stranded” and it could lead to an unfair dismissal claim.

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A redundancy package offered now would therefore reduce the “risk of the risk of costly legal proceedings that will be picked up by the public purse”.

Ms Norton summarised the report and described the settlement as a “practical and pragmatic” solution.

Conservative deputy council leader Graham Swift chaired the meeting in place of council leader Richard Cooper, who was absent.

Cllr Swift said HBC had been “disciplined” in preparing the settlement for Mr Sampson.

Hambleton District Council has faced criticism after offering a £225,000 pay-off for outgoing chief executive Justin Ives.

Cllr Swift praised Mr Sampson for his commitment to the role as staff prepare to move to the new council.

He said:

“We’re fortunate that we have a chief executive that is not just hanging around but ensuring employees are protected into the new organisation, that’s very important for staff to see leadership taking place.

“My experience is the chief executive role is one that nobody wants to do but everyone thinks they can do it better. As Wallace steps down we’re in great shape. At full council we’ll express our sincere thanks for his commitment.”

A full meeting of the council will take next Wednesday where councillors will have a final vote on Mr Sampson’s redundancy package.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, leader of the Liberal Democrats on the council, Pat Marsh, said she will be asking her colleagues to approve the package next week.

Cllr Marsh said:

“Looking at what some other district and borough councils are proposing for their chief executives, I welcome what is being recommended.

“I will be urging my group to support the package being offered to Wallace Sampson.”

Current North Yorkshire County Council chief executive Richard Flinton has already been announced as the chief executive of North Yorkshire Council.

He will earn a salary of up to £197,000 a year with responsibility for an annual budget of £1.4 billion and a workforce of 10,500 staff.

New board to review Harrogate Convention Centre operating model

A new board is to be created to assess the best way to operate Harrogate Convention Centre.

Harrogate Borough Council, which owns the facility, will be abolished in April and replaced by North Yorkshire Council. The move has raised questions over how the venue on Kings Road will be run from 2023.

In a report to be discussed by councillors next week, Paula Lorimer, director of the convention centre, said a strategic board will be set up by the new authority to oversee the planned £49 million redevelopment and assess how it should operate.

She said:

“This will bring changes for HCC including new structural reporting lines as well as to changes to governance relating to the HCC board. Some of these issues are yet to be clarified but are intended to be resolved ahead of vesting day.

“Additionally, and as mentioned earlier in this report, a new HCC strategic board is to be created by the new authority in order to oversee the redevelopment project and to assess the most appropriate operating model for the venue in the future.

“HCC staff will, however, TUPE transfer to the new authority from April 2023 as they are employees of Harrogate Borough Council.”

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Economic impact up to £31m

Ms Lorimer said the convention centre had recovered “particularly well” from covid and is forecast to reach revenues of 2019 levels next year.

According to the report, the convention centre had an economic impact on the district of £18.6 million for the covid-affected financial year 2021/2022, according to a new Visit Britain methodology.

Ms Lorimer added:

“Now the pandemic is over we are forecasting that the economic impact for 2022/23 should be close to £31 million which is excellent news.

“Our strategy is to focus on winning back larger, multi-day national and professional association conferences.

“Although the exhibitions industry has been in decline for many years, some of HCC’s events are actually growing post pandemic and Brexit. For example the Flooring Show and Nursery Fair have enjoyed a renaissance due to international supply issues caused by the pandemic and exhibitors deciding to promote in the UK.”

Paula Lorimer

Paula Lorimer

Ms Lorimer said it had been “a very positive year”, adding:

“The current order book looks strong and we expect to reach budget for the year ending to 2022/23 on lettings. More encouragingly, the order book for lettings in 2023/34 has almost been achieved over 12 months out from the year commencing.”

Ms Lorimer said an investment in cosmetic improvements, such as new carpets and drapes, “has really paid dividends and now the team await a positive decision to progress with the redevelopment so that HCC can really maximise its full potential”.

The convention centre expects to hear next month whether its £20m Levelling Up funding bid has been successful.

The report adds:

“A final decision on whether to progress the redevelopment will be made by the new authority in summer 2023.”

Union issues warning about directors’ redundancy pay at Harrogate Borough Council

Unison is to write to Harrogate Borough Council today warning them not to offer senior managers more favourable redundancy terms than other staff when it is abolished.

Seven district councils, including Harrogate, and North Yorkshire County Council will cease to exist on April 1, when they will be replaced by the new North Yorkshire Council.

All staff, except the chief executives, are due to transfer to the North Yorkshire Council under TUPE regulations.

But Hambleton District Council has agreed to pay £767,065 to four senior officers who decided they do not wish to work for the unitary North Yorkshire Council after April 1.

The payments were agreed even though the four directors had been assured they would be offered “suitable roles” at no financial loss to themselves when they transferred to North Yorkshire Council .

This has prompted trade union Unison to write to all the councils demands all staff be treated the same.

A spokesman for the North Yorkshire branch of Unison said:

“We will be writing to all the district/borough councils later today to advise them that if they are minded to follow Hambleton we will expect them to offer packages to all staff and not just those on big salaries.”

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Harrogate Borough Council’s chief officer employment committee is due to meet tonight to discuss awarding chief executive Wallace Sampson a £101,274 redundancy package.

Mr Sampson would receive a contractual redundancy payment of £71,633 plus £29,641 for a 12-week notice period he will not have to work.

Mr Sampson’s exit package is considerably less than that announced so far for other chief executives who will leave their jobs on March 31.

Selby District Council chief executive Janet Waggot is to receive a redundancy package worth £210,000 and Hambleton District Council’s chief executive, Justin Ives, is to receive a £225,000 settlement.

New housing plan to be created for Harrogate district

A new Local Plan guiding where land can be used for housing and employment for decades to come is to be drawn up for North Yorkshire.

Harrogate Borough Council currently has its own Local Plan which outlines where development can take place across the district until 2035.

It is due to be reviewed by 2025 but this looks set to be scrapped because of the creation of a new unitary authority North Yorkshire Council and the abolition of Harrogate Borough Council on April 1.

North Yorkshire County Council will be recommended to approve creating a new county-wide strategy at a meeting of its executive next week.

However, a report to councillors who will decide whether to accept the recommendation says a review of the proposed Maltkiln development, which could see up to 4,000 homes built near Cattal, will continue as planned.

The new Local Plan would look ahead for a minimum of 15 years, and at least 30 years in relation to any larger scale developments, such as new settlements or significant urban extensions. It would encompass all areas of the county outside the national parks.

Cllr Carl Les, the Conservative leader of the authority, said:

“A robust Local Plan that sets out an ambitious vision and a clear framework for growth will ensure that we keep control of how and where development takes place.

“By ensuring a local focus, we can protect and enhance the quality of the places in which we live, creating sustainable economic growth and prosperous communities while safeguarding the natural and heritage assets that are such an important aspect of our county.”

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Cllr Simon Myers, executive councillor for growth and housing, said

“The plan will be vital to the new North Yorkshire Council’s ambitions to deliver sustainable economic growth, through good homes and jobs, as well as the best facilities and infrastructure for everyone who lives or works in the county.

“Planning guidance will also play a key role in meeting our ambitious targets to tackle climate change. In addition, it can support other services in meeting the needs of our many communities at a local level, taking into account everything from transport and education to housing, health and social care.”

Harrogate council chief executive set for £101,000 redundancy pay-out

Harrogate Borough Council chief executive Wallace Sampson is in line for a £101,274 redundancy package when the local authority is abolished at the end of March.

Mr Sampson looks set to receive a contractual redundancy payment of £71,633 plus £29,641 for a 12-week notice period he will not have to work.

Harrogate Borough Council is one of seven district councils which, along with North Yorkshire County Council, will cease to exist on April 1, when the new North Yorkshire Council takes over.

Harrogate Borough Council’s council’s chief officer employment committee has been recommended to approve the settlement when it meets next week.

A report to the committee says Mr Sampson, who joined the council in 2008 and is a member of the Association of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers union, will be “effectively stranded” by the council’s abolition.

It says he is contractually entitled to be paid for his notice period, but there will be no role for him to perform due to the council’s abolition.

The report also says lawyers Browne Jacobson have advised Mr Sampson is entitled to be transferred under TUPE regulations and to dismiss him before March 31 would “inevitably lead to an automatically unfair dismissal claim causing unnecessary conflict, impact on senior officer time and a waste of public funds as explained in the appended business case”.

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It is therefore recommended Mr Sampson be paid in lieu for his 12-week notice period:

The report says:

“In short, the proposal in the report recognises this and is a practical and pragmatic solution.”

All the district council leaders in North Yorkshire will lose their jobs at the end of March, in a move that it is claimed will save about £1m a year.

Richard Flinton, the current chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, will become chief executive of North Yorkshire Council on a salary of between £180,000 and £197,000

The report says:

“The proposed settlement is considered to represent value for money by ensuring that the chief executive remains in office and engaged to enable the council to continue to deliver its services until 31 March 2023; that there is a smooth transition to the new authority; and contractual and statutory payments to the chief executive are paid to him as a result of the termination of his employment on the grounds of redundancy.”

 

What now for Harrogate Convention Centre after investment zones dropped?

Government changes to planned investment zones have raised questions over the future of planned renovations at Harrogate Convention Centre.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt this week announced a “refocus” of the initiative and put a halt to all expressions of interest which were submitted – including the convention centre.

It has raised questions over what the future now holds for a £49 million investment project to bring the town’s centre up to scratch.

What is planned?

Harrogate Borough Council unveiled plans back in 2020 to refurbish the town’s convention centre to the tune of £49 million.

The redevelopment plans include a major refurbishment of event areas and upgrades to the venue’s heating and ventilation systems.

There are also plans to create a flexible events space for up to 1,200 people.

Council officials have argued that the investment is needed for the centre to compete with other venues – in particular the looming prospect of a conference centre in Leeds.

Senior Harrogate council officials have gone as far as to warn that the centre could suffer huge losses of £250 million unless a major redevelopment is carried out

The proposals are currently in the final design stage with a decision expected to be taken next summer by the new North Yorkshire Council – which will take ownership of the venue in April.

However, questions still surround paying for the work.

How will it be funded?

Council bosses had previously submitted proposals to government to help fund the project as part of a £540 million devolution deal.

However, ministers turn down the plans, to the dismay of local leaders.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret following the decision that he shared the disappointment of others, such as Harrogate Borough Council leader Cllr Richard Cooper, about the lack of funding.

He said:

“We did put a request for the Harrogate Convention Centre in the asks which were submitted to government.

“Harrogate sent officers to present the case, but the message from civil servants was that it should not be included.

“I share Richard’s disappointment, but we were given a clear steer and we are supporting Harrogate in that.”

A separate bid for £20 million from the government’s levelling up fund has been made for the venue, but Harrogate is ranked as a low priority area in the fund.

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The uncertainty over funding has also led to a working group being set up to help steer the future of the venue as it approaches a crucial time in its 40-year history.

Senior officials and councillors from Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council will come together to discuss the convention centre’s £49 million redevelopment plan and how it could be funded, as well as how the venue should be run in the future.

It has also previously been suggested that a limited company could be set up to take over the day-to-day business of the venue.

The chancellor’s announcement is the latest stumbling block to be put in front of the project.

Funding the multi-million pound project and heeding the warning that the centre needs to be competitive is proving to be a hurdle for local officials.

However, it is a hurdle that council leaders will need to clear over the next 12 months if they wish to keep the project alive.

The clock is ticking.

Harrogate BID manager to remain in post

Harrogate Business Improvement District has confirmed that manager Matthew Chapman will remain at the organisation.

Mr Chapman announced in September that he was due to leave the BID to take up a position at North Yorkshire Council.

However, the organisation has now confirmed that Mr Chapman will no longer be leaving.

Sara Ferguson, Harrogate BID chair said: 

“Following a change of heart, Matthew Chapman will now not be leaving Harrogate BID.

“This is extremely good news for us and Harrogate town centre businesses, and we look forward to continuing the relationship developed over the last 18 months.”

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Mr Chapman, who took up the role in May last year, was previously Leeds BID operations manager in 2016 before becoming Huddersfield’s BID manager in November 2019.

Businesses within Harrogate’s town centre pay the BID 1.5% of their rateable value a year on top of their usual business rates.

Harrogate BID brings in around £500,000 from local firms, which it spends on projects to improve the town centre and increase the number of visitors.

During Mr Chapman’s 18 months in Harrogate, BID campaigns include power washing 80,000 square metres of the town centre, painting drab walls with colourful murals and buying more than 500 pieces of outdoor furniture for businesses to use.

New branding for North Yorkshire Council revealed

County council bosses have unveiled plans for a new brand ahead of the creation of North Yorkshire Council.

The authority will come into force on April 1, 2023, when North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and the other six districts will be abolished.

In a report due before the authority’s executive tomorrow, officials will recommend pressing ahead with proposals to implement a rebrand at a cost of £393,969.

It would see the the new brand included on main access points, libraries, registrar offices, crematoriums, adult social care venues and the county records office.

Much of the cost includes implementing the logo on staff lanyards, letterhead, email, certificates, licences, consents, permissions and orders.

North Yorkshire Council branding

How the new brand will look.

In a report, Vanessa Glover, head of communications, said:

“The design of an identity for North Yorkshire Council has been developed entirely using internal experience and expertise from the eight councils involved in local government reorganisation. There have therefore been no external costs incurred.”

She added:

“The new North Yorkshire Council is legally required to adopt an identity. It is not possible to utilise any of the eight council brands currently in place.

“Therefore, this paper suggests a staged and proportionate approach to satisfying those legal requirements, while recommending a relatively low-cost approach to limited symbolic branding.”

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The authority will be legally required to include the brand on certain assets as of April 1, 2023.

This includes council tax bills, employee IDs and tariff boards in all council owned or operated car parks.

However, the council intends to keep district authority branding on some assets until they are worn out.

According to the report, this includes cemeteries, bus stops and wheelie bins.