Schools across the Harrogate district are handing out GCSE results to their Year 11 students this morning.

After a tumultuous two years in their education, the 15 and 16-year-olds sat formal exams for the first time earlier in the summer.

Today’s results will confirm whether they can go on to their planned next steps in education or training.

Keep checking our live blog for the latest news and results from schools across the Harrogate district.

5.10pm Harrogate Grammar School celebrates results

HGS headteacher Neil Renton praised students and teachers for their hard work over the last two years.

92% of students at the school secured grades 9 to 4 in both English and maths. Almost half of all grades were at 7, 8 or 9, with students in biology, chemistry, computer science, product design, music, and physics achieving between 20% and 35% of grades at the top level 9.

Mr Renton said:

“These exceptional results reflect the tenacity of our students and their own unique story during the pandemic. We would like to thank our teachers, who have worked tirelessly during such an exceptional time, and fully appreciate the support that parents have provided during their children’s time with us. It is this partnership between home and school which continues to be the foundation for our success at HGS.”

Stan Gambrill

Alesha Ndikumana

Mia Felstead and Baha Sabet

5.07pm Outwood Academy in Ripon celebrates ‘inspirational’ students

4.01pm Photos: Rossett School

Another selection of happy faces on GCSE results day – this time from Rossett School.

George Papadopoullos and Matthew Jarvis

Patrick Fleming

Yael and Matan Braunstein with their parents and, right, Rossett headteacher Helen Woodcock

3.44pm Young actress heads for stage school after GCSE results

Talented young actress Izzy Kirby will be heading to the prestigious Tring Park Performing Arts School in London after collecting her exam results today.

The Ripon Grammar School boarding student has her sights set on becoming a stage star, and scored a 9, three 8s, a 7 and five 6s to send her there.

Izzy has already starred as Tracy Turnblad in Upstage Academy’s hit musical Hairspray at Harrogate Theatre, as well as taking the role of Babette in her school’s production of Beauty and the Beast. She said:

“I am so happy with my results, especially my 9 in art and 8 in music. I sing but I don’t play an instrument so music was a challenge to begin with, but I have learnt so much.

“I am so excited now to be pursuing my dream of a career as an actress and learning all the skills required for performing in musical theatre, hopefully eventually on the West End and, if I am very lucky, Broadway.

“My dream roles include Sophie in Mamma Mia, Velma in Chicago or the title role of Mary Poppins in the musical.”

Having trained with Upstage for the last four years, Izzy was offered places with three other drama schools but chose Tring as her preferred destination. Its past pupils include actress Lily James, singer Ella Henderson, and Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley.

3.28pm Photos: Ashville College

Harriet Sammon with her parents

Luca Issacs

Lucy Parkinson

Seb Bate

3.21pm Adult learners also collecting results today

Adult learners across North Yorkshire have also been collecting their GCSE results today.

North Yorkshire County Council’s adult learning and skills service offers English and maths courses to help adults improve their key skills.

In maths, 85% of students achieved grade 9-4 and in English language, the results were 100% at grade 4 or above.

North Yorkshire County Council’s assistant director for education and skills, Amanda Newbold, said: “Congratulations to all young people and adult learners in North Yorkshire receiving their GCSE and equivalent results today.

“Students, adult learners and teaching staff should be very proud of their achievements today. I would especially like to thank our schools, colleges and adult learning providers for their outstanding commitment and support to this cohort of students during what has been a very difficult time.”

North Yorkshire County Councillor Annabel Wilkinson, executive member for education and skills, added:

“Huge congratulations to all young people in North Yorkshire receiving their GCSE and equivalent results today.

“I have been very impressed by their resilience, hard work and commitment to their studies throughout the ongoing challenges brought by pandemic, their achievements today are well deserved. Good luck in whatever you choose to do next and well done!”

3.07pm ‘Success for everyone’ at Rossett results day

The headteacher of Rossett School in Harrogate has highlighted the achievements of all students, not just those scoring the top grades.

Helen Woodcock said the “many, many individual success stories” should all be recognised in the wake of two years of covid disruption.

She added:

“Each student has had their own individual experience of working towards their GCSEs through the pandemic.

“They have had to be self-disciplined, deal with anxieties, and rebuild their resilience. Some have also had to navigate bereavement, personal medical challenges and changes in family circumstances.

“And yet, they returned to school and exam preparation with real commitment for study and for being involved in wider activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, clubs and competitions.

“We are unbelievably proud of them all.”

Although it has not released statistics, the school said its results are “significantly higher” than the national average across all measures, including the number of grades 9-7 awarded to its students.

Among those to have scored particularly well were Yael Braunstein and George Papadopoullos, who achieved 13 grade 9s and 10 grade 9s respectively. The results – some of which were awarded in previous years, place them in the top 0.1% in the country.

Yael, whose younger brother Matan has just achieved a grade 8 in GCSE Latin at the end of year 9, has received a scholarship to study maths, history, chemistry and further maths.

Patrick Fleming achieved grades 9 and 8 across all his subjects and will return to Rossett’s sixth form next month to study maths, physics, computer science and further maths. Lucie Cliff, meanwhile, will use her four grade 9s, four 8s and one 6 to study sciences and psychology as she aims to get a place on a medical degree.

Deputy head Peter Saunders, who is in charge of quality of education, said:

“This year’s fantastic results fulfil the school’s aim of ‘success for everyone’, which we achieve through the strength of our tailored curriculum that allows students to develop their own individual strengths and talents.

“We are absolutely delighted for all our students. Their achievements in the light of the particular impact of covid on their studies makes their results today all the more remarkable.”

2.44pm Photos: Harrogate Ladies’ College

A few more photos now – these from Harrogate Ladies’ College, where students were greeted by delighted principal Sylvia Brett.

Ilene Andisheh-Tadbir and Beatrice Nolan

Principal Sylvia Brett with delighted GCSE students

2.39pm Top results shared by students at Borougbridge High School

Two students shared the honours of top results at Boroughbridge High School today.

Toby Naish and Melody Neale each achieved eight grade 9s and one grade 8 in their GCSE results.

Headteacher Kathryn Stephenson said:

“It has been an absolute pleasure to congratulate students today on their excellent achievements.

“We are incredibly proud of the way in which they have approached the challenges of the last couple of years, showing great resilience throughout.”

2.12pm Strong performance in key subjects at St John Fisher

The core subjects of English and maths showed great results at St John Fisher Catholic High School today.

Across the year group, 86% of students secured at least grade 4 in both subjects.

The school said the results showed the students’ “diligence, commitment and tenacity”. Headteacher Steve Mort said:

“It is a privilege to work with young people who have such high aspirations, and it is wonderful to see them excelling academically as well as witnessing their spiritual and personal growth during their time with us.

“We now look forward to welcoming the majority of them back into our excellent Associated Sixth Form. For those students who are moving on to other post -16 establishments we wish them the very best with their future endeavours and thank them for their contributions to life at St John Fisher school.

“My thanks to our dedicated teaching and support staff. They have worked incredibly hard, under unprecedented circumstances, to enable our students to progress on to their post-16 studies.

“The support of our parents and carers has been crucial too. They have worked in close partnership with the school to enable us to provide high quality learning and pastoral care during the pandemic.”

St John Fisher student Archie Gray, who has been in the Leeds United first team squad while studying for his GCSEs, is also reported to have done well. The club posted on its Twitter account today:

https://twitter.com/LUFC/status/1562787833261133824?s=20&t=_905is3jWHLGkJ6O1TCq3Q

2.04pm Top results at Harrogate’s Ashville College

More than half of the students at Ashville College achieved grades 9 to 7 in today’s results.

A third of them achieved the top two grades, while the school said its ‘value added’ measure of progress over the last two years showed a score of 0.8 per grade, per subject.

Headteacher Rhiannon Wilkinson said:

“We are delighted with the excellent results our Year 11 pupils attained, and I congratulate them on their success.

“They rose admirably to the challenges of the last two years, and their hard work and determination has certainly paid off with over half our results attaining the top grades of 9 to 7.

“Ashville pupils, families and staff are celebrating the fact that in 2022 we have seen the best ever progress made by GCSE pupils in GCSE examinations.”

Among those scoring highly was Annie Meehan, one of just 188 students across the country to achieve eleven 9s, who will go on to the school’s sixth form as she prepares for a medical degree.

Seb Bate scored nine 9s and two 8s, Lucy Parkinson got nine 9s alongside and 8 and a 7, Ethan Marshall achieved eight 9s, two 8s and a 7, Anna Jackson got four 9s, five 8s and a 7 and Luca Issacs scored six 9s, three 8s and a 7.

For Harriet Sammon, who has dyslexia, support from the school’s learning support team helped to achieve a 9, four 8s, two 7s and a 6, along with a value added score of just over two grades per subject. She said:

“They have been amazing and thanks to them I never gave up. I’m really pleased with my results and can’t wait to start sixth form.”

Lucy added:

“I’m absolutely delighted with my results, and one has come as a real shock – In my mocks I got a 6 in physics and I have passed it with a 9!

“I’m really looking forward to my A levels, studying the subjects I love in more depth, and then hopefully going on to university.”

1.38pm Pictures: Results day at St Aidan’s

Some photographs of delighted students collecting their results at St Aidan’s today.

1.24pm Results at St Aidan’s ‘over and above’ expectations

Students at St Aidan’s Church of England High School in Harrogate are celebrating their GCSE results today.

The school said its pupils’ progress was “over and above expectations” and that they had achieved “remarkably well” in today’s results.

Acting headteacher Chris Ives said:

”These results are testament to the fantastic group of students we have had in Year 11. For the last two years they have not only had to embrace the demands of their GCSE courses, but also handle the uncertainty and pressures of the pandemic.

“We are immensely proud of each and every one of them. They have been there and supported one another through a great deal.

“After not being able to have students pick up their results up in person for the last two years, it is truly amazing to see them celebrate together as a community today.

“Our staff have also given so much of their time to help and support these young people – using their knowledge and expertise in their subjects, and providing assurance and guidance through an examination process that these students will not have seen their peers go through over the last few years.

“The support we have all felt from our parents and carers has also been incredibly heartening.”

The school has not released any statistics publicly, but said a “large number” of students would return to sixth form in September.

12.11pm Top grades set young farmer on path to future career

A young farmer has scored top grades in his GCSE results despite juggling the challenges of school with his work on a local farm.

Despite getting up before dawn and going to bed long after sunset, Will Jarvis managed to achieve nine grade 9s and two 8s.

The Roecliffe teenager, who attends Ripon Grammar School, is also a keen Yorkshire Academy rugby player and trombone player in the school brass ensemble. He said:

“I choose to work long hours, alongside my school life, because I have always had a huge passion to educate people where their food comes from, as well as produce the food they are about to eat.

“Farming is more of a way of life than a career, whether it be through the constant work required to keep livestock fed, watered, bedded, and healthy and happy too, or the working of land to prepare, plant, and maintain healthy growth of crops that will then be used the following year.

“I love my job because it varies hugely, no two days are the same, even if I am driving the same tractor or working with the same cows and calves.”

Will plans to return to school in September to study A levels in biology, chemistry, maths and geography, before taking a gap year to work as a cattle rancher in Australia then silaging and large-scale harvesting in New Zealand and America, before beginning university.

11.28am Hundreds of top grades for Ripon Grammar School students

More than 600 top grades have been handed to students at Ripon Grammar School today.

The GCSE students achieved a total of 601 grades 8 and 9 in their results, with 69.9% of all grades being 9-7 and 94.5% being 9-5 – equivalent to a B or above under the old system.

Among the highest achieving were five students who achieved 10 or more grade 9s.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb said:

“We are delighted for our GCSE students who have worked so hard during two years of disrupted education and I would like to congratulate also the teaching staff who supported students through the lockdowns with an effective online programme which left them well-placed for exams this summer.”

11.11am Nidderdale High School sends students on to next steps in education

Nidderdale High School is singing the praises of its students, who have overcome the challenges of the last few years to achieve their GCSE and BTEC results.

Across all subjects, a third of students achieved at least one top grade of 9, 8 or 7.

Among those celebrating top results are Jeevan Shergill, whose 11 results were all graded 9-7, and Martha Wood who achieved 10 out of 11 results at grades 9-7.

Ethan May had nine 9-7 grades, while Elspeth Raw and Dylan Sawyer both achieved eight grades 9-7. All four will now study A levels in local sixth forms.

Across the year group, students are also going on to sports scholarships, apprenticeships and college places.

Headteacher Kath Jordan said:

“It is difficult to put into words just how challenging the past few years have been for this year group, from choosing their options during live online lessons, to returning to school with limited movement around the building, weekly lateral flow tests, disruption to internal mock exams and periods of absence for students and staff.

“This coupled with the uncertainty about what would be tested, how much information would be released to support preparation and how exams would be graded, has required the very highest levels of determination, resilience, flexibility and commitment from students.

“It has also seen exceptional levels of support from staff and families. We are proud of everything our school community has done to overcome the many obstacles and ensure success for our students and help them to take their next steps towards their future studies and careers.

“Many of our Year 11s have been role models for the kindness and respect that is so important to who we are as a school. We hope that they have felt that both when things are going right and in times of difficulty, we have been there for them and now we wish them all the very best for their future.”

9.52am Promising athlete achieves top grades despite dad’s cancer diagnosis

A high-flying athlete whose father was diagnosed with cancer six weeks before he sat his GCSEs is celebrating top results today.

Isaac Henson achieved five grade 9s, three 8s and three 7s, having also competed in the Yorkshire track and field championships while preparing for his exams.

His father Ant was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April, just before the exam period began at Ripon Grammar School. Isaac said:

“My dad being poorly really put things in perspective for me, and spending many hours a week training for athletics has made me determined to do my best.

“But it’s been hard work and I could not have done this without the dedication of my teachers. They are passionate about their subjects, which really helps.”

Isaac was crowned triple Yorkshire champion in shot put, discus and 100m hurdles, winning silver in javelin and pole vaulting too. Since sitting the exams, he has won the Northern regional javelin competition, as well as silvers in pole vault and discus.

He now plans to study A levels in art, biology, chemistry and maths, before applying for sporting scholarships to study chemistry in the USA.

Mum Fiona said:

“We are over the moon with all his achievements and are so proud. We can’t thank the school enough for all their help and guidance.”

Alongside his studies, Isaac continues with his sports, including being selected for the School Games national finals at Loughborough University next week, with the national pole vault and octathlon championships later this year.

Having been the North Yorkshire U15 indoor pentathlon champion, he’s now working towards competing in the decathlon.

Although he only took up pole vaulting recently, he is currently placed sixth in the country in his age group.

Isaac, who received his results on his phone while working at a local cattery and kennels, added:

“I can’t thank my English teacher Miss Levhan enough for helping me get grade 7s as I struggle with it so much; she has been a fantastic teacher.

‘Chemistry is my favourite subject as my teacher Dr Grime has drummed into me that it’s the best subject in the world!”

9.48am Top results for Harrogate Ladies’ College pupils

Results at Harrogate Ladies’ College today are the best achieved by the school since the new GCSE grading system began five years ago.

The number of top grades of 9-7 – equivalent to A**-A in the old system – increased to 64%, with 24% of all grades achieving the highest possible score of 9. In six subject areas, all of the grades were 9-7.

School principal Sylvia Brett said:

“Once again these are a fantastic set of results which reflect our talented and hard-working pupils.

“These are the highest set of grades we have seen since the new national grades were introduced 5 years ago, and we have incredible success across a huge range of subjects including languages, creative arts and sciences.

“I was particularly pleased to see how well the girls have performed in the sciences, but equally that pupils who opted for languages and humanities have performed so well.

“They should all be very proud of their success today.”

Among those celebrating is Ilene Andisheh-Tadbir, who achieved seven grade 9s and four grade 8s, and Beatrice Nolan who achieved five grade 9s, three 8s and a 7.

Emily Walker scored five grade 9s, two 8s and three 7s, while Harrogate’s Emily Reid achieve five grade 8s and four 7s.

Ilene said:

“I’m thrilled with my results and feel overjoyed at the thought of coming back to school in a few weeks to start my A levels and then think about university choices. I’m really, really pleased with the results.”

Beatrice added:

“I’m really delighted with today’s results and want to thank everyone at school who supported me and now I can’t wait to start the next chapter at school and think about what my future holds.”

Tory councillors on North Yorkshire County Council have told the Conservative Party leadership candidates that direct targeted help will be needed to support residents through the energy cost crisis.

Senior members of the party in the traditional Conservative stronghold of North Yorkshire say they are becoming increasingly concerned about how the most vulnerable members of the community will cope financially ahead of Ofgem confirming October’s energy price cap tomorrow.

They have pointed towards demand for North Yorkshire County Council’s Local Assistance Fund, which provides support for vulnerable people needing help with essential living costs, doubling in recent months.

Energy bills are forecast to top £5,300 annually in April next year, representing a huge increase from previous predictions.

Prime ministerial candidate frontrunner Liz Truss has promised an emergency budget if she is selected, saying she would reverse National Insurance rises and stop business tax hikes.

She has also suggested extra cash support may be available for families struggling with energy bills.

Meanwhile Rishi Sunak said he would prioritise tackling inflation and introduce more targeted support for households, pledging to reduce VAT on domestic energy bills.

Read more:

• Andrew Jones MP defends government response to energy crisis
• MPs warned energy bills are pushing Harrogate district businesses to ‘tipping point’

A meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s executive this week heard its finance boss and deputy leader, Councillor Gareth Dadd, say while he remained confident the authority could rise to the challenge of tackling inflationary pressures, some residents would struggle.

Cllr Dadd (pictured above) said:

“If I can just give one message to either one of the, well one in particular, of the prime ministerial candidates, call it hand-outs, call it what you want, there is no two ways, given the rising price cap that we are expecting in a few days’ time, direct support will be needed to those most in need.

“A pound a week saving via a tax cut will not make the cut as far as I am concerned across the most vulnerable residents in North Yorkshire.

“It’s about time we got real and recognised this and it’s direct support that’s needed as there’s an impact on our services and our costs. I think we’ve already seen evidence of that through the Local Assistance Fund.

“The plea is direct target help with those energy bills will go a long way to seeing off some of the demand rises that we’ve seen lately.”

North Yorkshire is set to receive 140 new chargepoints for electric vehicles under a scheme announced today by the Department for Transport.

The county’s seven districts, including Harrogate, will each get 20 chargers.

The chargepoints will installed at on-street locations and at larger petrol-station charging hubs.

It is hoped the move will give drivers without home chargers more confidence to switch to electric, and reduce ‘range anxiety’ among existing electric vehicle users by helping to ensure motorists are never far from a chargepoint.

North Yorkshire County Council was awarded the funding today.

The council previously suggested that Markington, Pateley Bridge and Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough could receive new chargepoints in the Harrogate district. But it has yet to confirm the locations after today’s news.

Councillor Greg White, the council’s executive member for climate change, welcomed the funding. He said:

“The switch to electric vehicles is necessary as North Yorkshire moves towards becoming carbon zero, but the rural nature of the county presents some significant challenges.

“We worked hard to come up with an innovate scheme which will begin to provide the answers motorists need if they are to have the confidence to go electric.”

The chargers are part of the new Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot scheme where the council and industry work in partnership.

Companies are putting £200,000 towards the scheme.

The council will install more electric chargers (photo: Andrew Roberts/Unsplash)

Harrogate currently has six public charging points – though the type and number of charging points varies between each station.

Knaresborough currently has two charging points whilst Ripon has four.

National plans

North Yorkshire is one of the first nine areas to receive funding.

A total of £20 million has been allocated for the pilot scheme nationally.

The government plans to eventually invest £450 million into the scheme nationwide.

It intends to grow the network of charging points around the country with more than 1,000 new charging stations set to be installed.

Decarbonisation minister Trudy Harrison said:

“We want to expand and grow our world-leading network of EV chargepoints, working closely with industry and local government, making it even easier for those without driveways to charge their electric vehicles and support the switch to cleaner travel.”

County council officials today warned that the “burden of risk” for major projects, such as the realignment of the A59 at Kex Gill, will fall on the authority amid soaring inflation.

The cost of the scheme to build a diversion on the A59, near Blubberhouses, has increased to £68.8 million.

Senior North Yorkshire county councillors today approved a further £7.2 million to the project in order to cover the shortfall caused by a rise in inflation.

It takes the council’s contribution to the major highways project to £12.7 million after the Department for Transport capped its contribution at £56.1 million.

Gary Fielding, the council’s director for strategic resources, told councillors today that the reduction in funding from ministers combined with inflation soaring would leave high risk on the council for capital schemes such as Kex Gill.

He said:

“In terms of capital, you are seeing two things happening in general and I think it is right that members are aware of the risks.

“We have got allocations in government funding across the board actually reducing in quantum for the forthcoming period and in parallel with that we have got inflation rates taking off.

“So what you have actually got is a much reduced spending power going forward and a higher profile of risk based upon major schemes where the burden of risk will fall 100% with the council.”

A report before councillors today warned that any “unforeseen events” with the Kex Gill scheme which lead to increased cost would fall upon the authority.

Cllr Gareth Dadd, executive member for finance at the council, added:

“I wouldn’t say I’m pleased to be having to recommend a further £7.2 million to the Kex Gill project, but nonetheless it shows our commitment to major road improvement.”

Read more:

• Kex Gill realignment cost increases to £68m
• Delayed A59 Kex Gill reroute now set to start next year and finish in 2025

The project will see a diversion built west of Blubberhouses on the stretch of road, which has been blighted by a history of landslips. The A59 is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton.

Council officials expect work to start on the scheme next year and continue until 2025.

North Yorkshire County Council previously said it hoped the reroute would start in autumn last year and take 15 months.

Ahead of appointing a contractor for the scheme, a full business case will be submitted to the Department for Transport.

Councillors look set to reject calls to grit more roads in the Harrogate district this winter.

North Yorkshire County Council, the highways authority, meets on Friday to agree its gritting programme from October 1 to April 30.

A report by Barrie Mason, assistant director for highways and transportation at the council, recommends councillors at the meeting approve the same arrangements as last year.

The council has a winter maintenance service budget of £7.5 million. Details of its gritting routes are here.

Motorways and trunk roads in the county, including the A1, A1(M), A66, A66(M), A64, A168 (Dishforth to Thirsk) and A19 (Thirsk to Crathorne) are gritted separately by National Highways.

Each year the council’s business and environmental services committee considers requests for amendments to its gritting routes.

Five have been received from the Harrogate district but Mr Mason said in the report:

“Currently there are no external routes upgrade requests that are supported by officers.”

The only proposed change this year is to include the north Northallerton link road in winter gritting when it opens “as this is commensurate with its network hierarchy”, the report said.

Read more:

• New gritter tracker shows which roads in Harrogate district are being treated
• Consultation into Harrogate town council starts today

The 5 roads requested for gritting

The council received five requests from residents, parish councils and local councillors in the Harrogate district to grit additional roads.

They are:

Old Barber in Bilton

A resident said when it snows and is icy it is “very dangerous for elderly people”.

West End, Blubberhouses

A resident said the location has a a number of farms and hamlets with steep gradients and should be gritted.

Wheatlands Road, Harrogate

A local councillor said it is a very steep road and residents “find themselves unable to get vehicles out of the road at all”.

Walton Park, Harrogate

A local councillor said “when it’s icy it’s sometimes difficult to walk across the road never mind traverse the pavements”, adding parents walking down hill to primary school are “at risk in the morning”.

The access road to Heyshaw village in Nidderdale

The parish council said the road “becomes impassable when very icy or snowy” and links to a dairy farm.

A consultation has started today into plans to set up a Harrogate town council.

North Yorkshire County Council is to launch a review into whether to create a lower tier authority in the town.

Harrogate Borough Council will no longer exist from April 1 when the new unitary authority, North Yorkshire Council, is created.

It will leave both Harrogate and Scarborough as the only areas of the county with no parish authority.

The unparished areas of Harrogate include these current county council divisions:

Bilton and Nidd Gorge

Bilton Grange and New Park

Coppice Valley and Duchy (part)

Fairfax and Starbeck

Harlow and St Georges

High Harrogate and Kingsley

Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate (part)

Oatlands and Pannal (part)

The Stray and Hookstone

Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate

Residents can give their views in the consultation online. It will close on September 30.

Cllr David Chance, executive member for corporate services, said: 

“Parish and town councils have always had a key role in representing the needs of their communities, and will have even greater opportunity to do so – as well as to take on greater responsibilities if they so wish – with the formation of the new North Yorkshire Council in April.

“As two of the county’s major centres of population, it’s vital that Harrogate and Scarborough have this opportunity and I would urge people to look at the consultation and have their say.

“At this stage, no firm proposals are being put forward. Depending on the response to this consultation, a further consultation on detailed proposals could follow.”

Read more:

• Harrogate town council: What is it and what would it cost taxpayers?
• Decision on Harrogate town council could take two years

The county council is due to send letters to residents in Harrogate informing them of the consultation.

Copies of the consultation will also be available from:

• Harrogate Library, Victoria Avenue, Harrogate HG1 1EG
• Bilton and Woodfield Community Library, Woodfield Road, Harrogate, HG1 4HZ
• Harrogate Borough Council, Civic Centre, St Luke’s Avenue, Harrogate HG1 2AE

You can fill in the consultation online here.

What is a town council?

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 but they are not paid.

The councils can also charge a precept as part of council tax bills to fund the services provided, meaning there is a cost to the people they serve.

In the Harrogate district, there are town councils in areas such as Ripon, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and Kirby Hill.

Because Harrogate does not currently have a lower tier council, it also raises questions over what its boundaries would be.

The cost of a county council project to realign the A59 at Kex Gill has increased to £68.8 million.

A North Yorkshire County Council report said the authority faces a £7.2 million shortfall on the cost due to a rise in inflation.

The project will see a diversion built west of Blubberhouses on the stretch of road, which has been blighted by a history of landslips. The A59 is the main route between Harrogate and Skipton.

County council officials originally estimated that the scheme would cost £61.6 million.

Of that figure, £56.1 million worth of funding has been granted by the Department for Transport and the remaining cost will be covered by the authority.

However, in a report due before an executive meeting on Tuesday, the council has now said it faces a further shortfall of £7.2 million in funding for the scheme.

Read more:

• £60m Kex Gill contract to be awarded
• Delayed A59 Kex Gill reroute now set to start next year and finish in 2025

It means the council has had to increase the funding it is allocating to the scheme to £12.7 million.

As a result, the council intends to use £7.2 million from its Brexit reserve account in order to fund the scheme.

It said:

“Should alternative funding resources be secured, whether in part or in full, the reserve provision will be relinquished.”

Council officials expect work to start on the scheme next year and continue until 2025.

North Yorkshire County Council previously said it hoped the reroute would start in autumn last year and take 15 months.

Ahead of appointing a contractor for the scheme, a full business case will be submitted to the Department for Transport.

A home care service provided by North Yorkshire County Council in Harrogate has been rated as ‘requires improvement’ by the industry regulator.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found Harrogate Home Support only met the standards for a ‘good’ rating in one of the five areas of judgement during its inspection in June.

The report, published this month, said the service – based at NYCC’s premises at 68a High Street – did not always give people enough choice over their lives and that record-keeping was not always thorough enough.

The report said:

“We expect health and social care providers to guarantee autistic people and people with a learning disability the choices, dignity, independence and good access to local communities that most people take for granted.

“Right support, right care, right culture is the statutory guidance which supports CQC to make assessments and judgements about services providing support to people with a learning disability and/or autistic people.

“The service was not able to demonstrate how they were meeting some of the underpinning principles of right support, right care, right culture.

“Records were not always up to date and decisions made on behalf of people under the Mental Health Act 2005 were inconsistently applied or reviewed to ensure they continued to be the least restrictive option and in the persons [sic] best interest.

“The registered manager was responsive to our feedback and acted immediately. Associated health professionals were contacted to review all outstanding decision making and review records to ensure they included up to date person centred information.”

The report said staff followed infection control procedures with the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). It said they also issued medication safely, which was acknowledged by service users and their families.

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However, the assessments of whether the service was well-led, effective, responsive and safe all concluded it ‘requires improvement’. The report highlighted areas of concern such as:

“Information including risk assessments had not been completed to keep people and staff safe when navigating in and around people’s homes.

“An incident was recorded where staff had been attacked by a domestic animal owned by a person in receipt of a service. There was no evidence to demonstrate the actions taken to ensure everyone was aware of the risks and to keep others safe as part of lessons learnt.”

Inspectors found service users were encouraged in their hobbies and supported to take part in activities relating to these.

They were also given help to keep in touch with friends and family, such as learning to use video calling.

The service supports 15 people, of whom 11 receive care which is regulated by the CQC, and employs 32 staff.

‘Very happy’

Assessing whether the service was caring, the CQC report rated this area ‘good’ and said:

“People and their relatives told us they were actively involved in the planning of their care and were supported to express their views.

“One person said, “I have a care plan and I had a review a few weeks back. I was very happy. Everything went smoothly so I feel very happy.'”

The CQC said it had highlighted the areas of concern to North Yorkshire County Council and requested a report back about the action to be taken.

Those areas will then be checked by the CQC to ensure progress has been made.

Cllr Michael Harrison, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for health and adult services, said:

“We accept the findings of the Care Quality Commission inspection and although we are disappointed with the performance of Harrogate Home Support in some areas we are pleased the service was recognised as caring.

“Work has already started to address issues raised in the report and we believe those measures will help Harrogate Home Support receive a good CQC rating in future.

“In addition, we have also been in contact with families to make them aware of the outcome of this inspection and to invite any questions or concerns they may have about relatives in the care of Harrogate Home Support.”

A mayor and combined authority for North Yorkshire would centralise power into “the hands of a few”, say opposition councillors.

The county and York are set to elect a mayor in May 2024 as devolution plans press ahead.

It comes as ministers signed off this month on a £540 million deal to devolve powers to North Yorkshire, which will include a combined authority.

But opposition councillors have raised concerns that the move will concentrate power centrally, rather than be more democratic.

Philip Broadbank, a Liberal Democrat county councillor who represents Fairfax and Starbeck, said there would be a “democratic deficient” across the county if plans go ahead.

He said:

“Unfortunately next April we will be living in the fourth largest council in the whole of the UK. This will put a real strain on the word ‘local’ when dealing with the way council services are provided.

“We do not think a mayor for North Yorkshire is true devolution or right for our area.  

“All the Conservatives are doing is creating a democratic deficient by concentrating power in the hands of a few – that’s where the real problem is going to be for our local democracy.”

Ahead of electing a mayor for the county, a combined authority could be set up next year. A combined authority is a body where two or more councils make joint decisions.

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In this case, the upcoming North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council would come together to make decisions on matters such as economic development and transport.

Four councillors from each authority will sit on the mayor’s executive, should it wish to operate on such a system.

Conservative Cllr Carl Les, leader of the county council, previously said that such a body would help the county have “one voice” when it comes to dealing with government.

He described the ability to devolve “wide-ranging decision powers” to the county as a “huge opportunity”.

But Cllr Stuart Parsons, an independent councillor on the county council, said the move would mean no “democratic accountability or election”.

Cllr Parsons added that he was concerned that the public had not been asked whether they wanted a mayor.

He said:

“All in all there will be little if any democratic input into our future.

“Devolution should mean the devolving of powers away from the centre but NYCC is heading towards the creation of a much bigger centre.”

Council leader: Devolution will bring benefits to county

In response to the concerns raised by opposition councillors, Cllr Les said:

“The move to a new single council for North Yorkshire presents a landmark for local democracy in the county.

“It will allow us to provide vital local services to the hundreds of thousands of people who live and work in North Yorkshire as efficiently as possible, streamlining operations and saving millions of pounds that will be used to finance these frontline services.

“North Yorkshire County Council will merge with the seven district and borough councils in the county, and we are working very closely with our colleagues in these authorities.

“We are fully engaged with them as we move towards the launch of the new North Yorkshire Council on April 1 next year, and the expertise and experience of our colleagues in district and borough councils is proving an invaluable asset. “

He added:

“A new chief executive has now been appointed to serve the new council following a recruitment process that was opened up nationally.

“Richard Flinton was deemed to be the best candidate to become the new chief executive, which is testament to his drive, commitment and passion that he has shown during his time at North Yorkshire County Council.

“The move to a unitary authority was a stipulation of the government to secure devolution for North Yorkshire.

“Now that a proposed devolution deal has been announced for York and North Yorkshire, we are committed to ensuring that the agreement works for everyone to bring a host of benefits from better paid jobs, more career opportunities and improved education and skills to better transport links and more affordable housing.”

Two councillors in Knaresborough are launching a consultation over the town’s high street after saying it has been neglected over a number of years.

Cllr Hannah Gostlow and Cllr Matt Walker, who were both elected to North Yorkshire County Council in May for the Liberal Democrats, will be in the town centre tomorrow asking local residents, shoppers and business owners for their views.

Under the title Starter for 10, they want to hear opinions about Knaresborough High Street as well as views on what improvements are needed.

Cllr Gostlow said:

“There has been little or no investment in Knaresborough by North Yorkshire County Council over the last 10 years and residents and businesses are fed up.

“Now we want North Yorkshire Council to invest in Knaresborough High Street and not just the cars passing through it! Cllr Walker and I want to push for positive change and we want to make sure the voices of those in Knaresborough are heard.”

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Residents and business owners can also take part in the consultation online or by calling Cllr Gostlow on 07867 797594 or by email.

Cllr Walker added:

“We are publishing our starter for 10 to begin a constructive and positive conversation about the future of the High Street, what people would like to see and how we can make that happen. A starter for 10 is just that, a start of a discussion.”