north yorkshire county council Archives - Page 86 of 96

Plea for free staff parking at Harrogate hospital

Councillors have unanimously supported a plea for free staff parking at Harrogate District Hospital.

Staff pay up to £1,300 a year to park at the hospital, which suspended charges during the first lockdown.

Charges were reinstated on September 23 and have continued to apply since.

North Yorkshire County Council yesterday unanimously supported a Liberal Democrat motion calling for NHS hospital trusts to provide free parking for staff during the covid crisis.

However, this does not mean it will happen.

The decision is down to Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital. It has not indicated that it plans to discontinue fees.

Liberal Democrat county councillor Geoff Webber, who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge, moved the proposal, which said:

“That this council makes known to all NHS hospital trusts in North Yorkshire that this council supports and encourages free on-site parking for frontline NHS staff at their place of work for the duration that covid places a strain on the NHS.”

Cllr Webber said:

“I am delighted that this proposal has received unanimous and cross-party support.

“It is the least we can do to show our appreciation to the front-line NHS staff who daily put their lives at risk for the community.”

The Stray Ferret asked Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust whether it supported the motion or had any plans to suspend parking fees but had not received a response by the time of publication.

The parking fee situation in the Harrogate district is currently confused.

Harrogate Borough Council, which controls off-street parking, has suspended charges.

But North Yorkshire County Council, which controls on-street parking, continues to charge.

Covid forces Harrogate and Knaresborough libraries to close

Harrogate and Knaresborough libraries have fully closed after staff at each building contracted covid.

The libraries closed for browsing during the second lockdown but people could still order books and collect them at the entrance.

Library members could also book computers for emergency use.

But it was announced yesterday that both sites have totally closed for an unspecified length of time.

Chrys Mellor, North Yorkshire County Council’s general manager of libraries, said:

“Harrogate is one of two libraries that have closed because a member of library staff in each has tested positive for covid. The second library is Knaresborough.

“The libraries have therefore been closed on a temporary basis while the building is cleaned and staff self-isolate.

“No members of the public have been put at risk of infection.”

£60 million A59 Kex Gill reroute could start in summer

A £60 million project to reroute part of the A59 Harrogate to Skipton road is scheduled to start next summer, if government funding and planning permission is granted.

The project, which will take a year to complete, will see the creation of a three-mile diversion west of Blubberhouses at Kex Gill.

The Department for Transport and North Yorkshire County Council hope the new route will solve problems caused by landslips, which have blighted travel on the road for years.

The road was closed for eight weeks in 2016 and traffic diverted through Ilkley and Otley after heavy rain caused a landslip.

County councillors are set to pledge further funding next week for the realignment of the road if costs go above a government grant.

Plans for the new road on the A59 at Kex Giill. Picture: North Yorkshire County Council.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, told the Stray Ferret he was “hopeful” the scheme will go ahead.

He said:

“We are pressing for a decision on the funding.

“It has been a difficult year and there has been a change of government since we put the bid in.

“But everything we are hearing from the Department for Transport is positive.”

Cllr Mackenzie added the project could begin without traffic disruption to begin with but it might occur towards the end when the new road is connected with the existing A59.

The Department for Transport has indicated it will offer up to £56 million towards the project, with the county council covering the remaining £4.95 million.

While the government has yet to give final funding approval, it has set a condition that any further costs would need to be met by the authority.

Council bosses have estimated the overall cost to be £60 million, but added it could increase to £61 million if a public inquiry is held.

A planning application for the project will go before the council’s planning committee on December 15.

Senior county councillors have been recommended to accept the funding condition at a meeting on Tuesday next week.

Ripon coronavirus testing site being considered

A coronavirus testing site in Ripon could open in an effort to expand capacity.

Victoria Turner, public health consultant at North Yorkshire County Council, said at a press briefing today the authority was “scoping” a mobile site in the city from next week.

However, no further details have been revealed.

Ripon has some of the lowest rates of covid infections in the Harrogate district.

Today’s press briefing also revealed the full-time Harrogate testing site on Dragon Road is averaging 180 tests per day – well below its capacity of 320.

A further 50 cases of coronavirus were confirmed today in the Harrogate district, according to Public Health England.

The figure takes the total number of cases up to 3,254.

There are further encouraging signs that the spread of the virus is slowing.

The seven-day average rate of infections for the district has fallen to 241 per 100,000 people, down from 307 last week.

It means the district has fallen from having the second highest rate in the county to the fourth highest behind Selby, Craven and Scarborough.

The R number has also gone down from 1.6 to 1.2.

Dr Lincoln Sargeant, director of public health for North Yorkshire, told today’s press briefing of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, a partnership of emergency agencies, that consensus was needed over future restrictions.

He said the tier one measures, which were in place in the county until the second lockdown, did not give people “a sense of seriousness about the situation”.

Bilton housing scheme criticised for lack of affordable homes

Harrogate Civic Society has said it is “very disappointed” a 19-home council development in the Bilton area of the town doesn’t include any affordable homes.

North Yorkshire County Council was granted permission last week to demolish its Woodfield House care home on Woodfield Square and build the new homes through its property company, Brierley Homes.

Henry Pankhurst, ex-chairman and current planning spokesman for the society, told the Stray Ferret he was not happy that all the new homes will be sold at market value with no provision for affordable properties, particularly as they are being built by a local authority.

He said:

“It’s very disappointing. I would have hoped North Yorkshire County Council would have recognised that Harrogate Borough Council has a difficulty in providing affordable housing. It’s an ideal location to have more affordable housing.”

The government defines affordable as homes sold at 80% of the market rate or homes for social rent.

Harrogate Borough Council policy requires 30% affordable on all brownfield developments.

However, for this scheme North Yorkshire County Council applied for a Vacant Building Credit — a government mechanism to encourage vacant properties back into use, which can be used to remove the provision for affordable housing.

Instead, it will make a financial contribution of £72,528 to Harrogate Borough Council, which granted planning permission.

Mr Pankurst called the Vacant Building Credit a “dreaded thing” and said North Yorkshire County Council should have done more to provide affordable housing, particularly as Harrogate Borough Council had identified a need to build 208 affordable homes in the district every year.

Prior to the decision to grant planning permission, a report from Harrogate Borough Council case officer Kate Broadbank also expressed “disappointed” in the lack of affordable housing in the scheme.

‘Excellent opportunity’

Brierley Homes was established in 2017 by North Yorkshire County Council. All profits are used to support frontline council services in the county.

A spokesperson for Brierley Homes said:

“Brierley Homes welcomes the planning approval to redevelop the former care home at Woodfield Square, Harrogate into 19 quality new homes.

“The regeneration and redevelopment of brownfield land is recognised by government as an important aspect of our national ambition to deliver much needed homes.

“The scheme will deliver a mixture of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes, with over 50% of the homes being 2 beds. This will offer first time buyers an excellent opportunity for modern and contemporary living within walking distance of the town centre of Harrogate.”

Harrogate district covid rate falls after record high

Harrogate district’s coronavirus seven-day rolling average has fallen after hitting a record high, according to latest figures.

Data from North Yorkshire County Council shows the average rate per 100,000 people stands at 285 – a drop from 307 last week.

The data was published yesterday and relates to infection levels in the seven days to November 12.

The district’s rate rose dramatically along with other areas of North Yorkshire in early November.

However, the district still has the second highest rate in the county and remains above the national average of 269.

Scarborough has the highest weekly rate at 577, which has raised concern among county council bosses.

In another sign that rates in the Harrogate district may have peaked, the R number, which refers to the reproduction rate of the virus, has reduced from 1.6 a week ago to 1.4.

This means every 10 people that test positive in the district will infect another 14.

Last week, Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, warned last week that rates in the county were “soaring”.

He said:

“Infection rates are soaring in many areas.

“We had been doing very well and we went into the current lockdown in the lowest tier of intervention. Sadly, our current rates put us in a very different place.”

James Street social distancing cones to be replaced with planters

Cones used for social distancing on James Street in Harrogate will be replaced with planters in an effort to make the street more attractive.

Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council will introduce the planters as part of funding from both the European Regional Development Fund and government.

They will also replace the social distancing cones on parts of Albert Street.

It comes as a trial pedestrianisation of James Street was proposed in September, but county council bosses later postponed after pressure from local business owners. It’s unlikely the planters will be welcomed by some shop owners on the street who have opposed the cones and want the return of on-street parking.

Cllr Graham Swift, deputy leader of the borough council and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development, said:

“We recognise the majority of businesses and stores in Harrogate are currently closed.

“But we hope in the run-up to Christmas, and the anticipation that the current lockdown will be lifted, people will be able to return to the high street and do so safely with the addition of these new eye-catching social distancing measures.”

As well as the planters, additional signs will be put up to reassure shoppers that it is safe to shop on the streets in the run up to Christmas.

Parking suspensions will remain in place until the end of January to support social distancing measures, but the county council will continue to monitor and review the situation.

However, suspensions that are currently on Albert Street, between Princes Square and West Park, will be removed and parking will be available

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, said:

“Our local highways team is working with Harrogate Borough Council’s parks team to install these planters alongside signage that will reinforce the message that it is safe to shop local.

“We are confident that the introduction of more attractive social distancing measures will offer reassurance to the public that they can shop safely and at the same time give much needed support to our local businesses.”

The county council will temporarily close both roads on November 18 and 19 to implement the planters.

It comes as the county council had initially planned a temporary pedestrianisation of James Street.

The measures were criticised by local business owners and landlords, including former Leeds United and England footballer Danny Mills.

After a meeting with local businesses in October, county council bosses decided to postpone the trial until after Christmas.

Government awards North Yorkshire £1 million for walking and cycling

The government has awarded North Yorkshire more than £1 million as part of plans to encourage more walking and cycling.

The funding is part of a five-year, £2 billion programme by the Department for Transport.

It has awarded £19 million of that sum to councils in Yorkshire. North Yorkshire County Council will be given £1,011,750 as part of the deal.

In the Harrogate district, Oatlands Drive, Victoria Avenue and the A59 connecting Starbeck to Knaresborough by Maple Close could benefit from the funding.

The government said the funding was aimed at creating measures to support walking and cycling, such as segregated cycle lanes, closing off streets around schools and improvements for pedestrians.

Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, said:

 “It has been great to see so many people build cycling and walking into their daily travel habits. To support them, we know it’s vital to have the right infrastructure in place so everyone – cyclists, pedestrians and motorists – can use our roads.”

The county council made a second bid for £1 million worth of funding in August amid criticism it was not ambitious enough in the first phase.

In the first wave of emergency funding, the authority received £133,000 from government – half the potential amount available.

As part of the second bid, the county council outlined five roads it intended to improve with walkways and segregated cycle lanes.

Three roads in Harrogate were put forward, including Oatlands Drive, Victoria Avenue and the A59 connecting Starbeck to Knaresborough by Maple Close.

‘Excellent news’

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access at the county council, welcomed the further funding.

He said:

“We are committed to improving active, sustainable modes of travel for people across the county wherever possible.

“Following public engagement in the summer, we submitted a strong bid to the government’s Active Travel Fund, so it’s excellent news that we have been successful in gaining this funding.

“We now await confirmation of the details of the funding from the Department for Transport.”

Harrogate district covid rate soars past 300 people per 100,000

The seven-day rolling average rate of covid infections for the Harrogate district has risen above 300 people per 100,000 for the first time.

The rate, which was 160 just over a fortnight ago, is now 307, which is above the England average of 254.

The figure adds to recent data suggesting North Yorkshire, and the Harrogate district in particular, is currently faring worse than many other parts of the country in the fight against coronavirus.

Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, acknowledged the county was now in a “very different place” to pre-lockdown little more than a week ago. He said:

“Infection rates are soaring in many areas.

“We had been doing very well and we went into the current lockdown in the lowest tier of intervention. Sadly, our current rates put us in a very different place.

“Our economy is also suffering. Our hospitality sector, famous the world over for its hearty welcome and high-quality food and drink, is in lockdown again. And although we have generally good levels of employment across the county, we also struggle with low wages and high house prices in many areas.”

The rise has sparked fears that Harrogate may be placed in a higher tier of restrictions when lockdown is due to end on December 2.

It was revealed yesterday that the number of patients being treated for coronavirus in Harrogate District Hospital has nearly doubled in a week, from 15 to 28.

Figures were also released showing the new covid testing site in Harrogate is testing 200 people a day.

‘No intention’ of becoming mayor, says county council leader

One of North Yorkshire’s most senior councillors has ruled himself out of standing for mayor in the county after devolution.

Cllr Carl Les, 71, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret the position required a younger, energetic politician to bat for the county and lobby Westminster.

A key player in driving the county towards devolution and shaking up the structure of local government, Cllr Les said he hoped government would return with its preferred council model early in the new year.

In a wide-ranging interview, he stressed the need for investment in the county and his frustration at the delay in kickstarting negotiations with government over more powers.

“Every week that we delay putting to government is a weeks delay in getting the investment of the asks.

“We are falling behind in capital investment in this region.”

Shake-up of North Yorkshire’s councils

The biggest restructure of local government in the county since 1974 should take a further step in the New Year, Cllr Les hopes.

North Yorkshire County Council submitted its plan for a single council last Friday, while district leaders have tabled an alternative.

It means the ball is rolling and spells the end for the county’s seven district authorities and county council.

Cllr Les said the government hopes to come back to the county with its preferred option early in the New Year, before it embarks on a 10-week consultation.

Creating a new authority is a prerequisite to devolving power from Westminster, ministers told council bosses earlier this year.

Cllr Les said both devolution and scrapping of the two-tier system go hand-in-hand. It remains the case that the government wants a single tier council before it offers a directly elected mayor and more cash. He said:

“I have not been told that that has changed.”

Frustrations over devolution

Before the county can receive any powers over such things as transport and housing, it has to submit a list of requests.

Known as the devolution “asks”, it kickstarts the negotiations between council leaders and ministers over a devolution deal.

The 140-page document, agreed by seven out of the nine councils so far, outlines £2 billion worth of spending power for the county.

But both Ryedale and Hambleton have yet to agree to table the plan to ministers.

While it does not technically require every council to agree, council leaders wanted each authority to support the bid. Cllr Les said the lack of consensus was frustrating.

“Every week that we delay putting to government is a week’s delay in getting the investment of the asks.

“We are falling behind in capital investment in this region and there will have to be a frank discussion on how long we can wait.

“The really frustrating thing is that we can understand someone’s reticence to sign onto something as a last chance, but this is only the start. There will be opportunities later in the process.

“Let’s just get on with it, we cannot just carry on dropping behind just because some people have reticence about it.”

No appetite to be mayor

While Cllr Les has pressed leaders on the need for devolved powers, he has no intention of stepping into the role of elected mayor that comes with it.

Despite being leader of the county council for five years, he said the role needs someone “energetic”.

He pointed to Ben Houchen, the 33-year-old Conservative mayor of Tees Valley, as an example.

At 71, Cllr Les said he felt he was capable of carrying out his current duties but not a new role as mayor.

He said:

“I have no intention of putting my name forward.

“You need a lot of energy to be leader of the council, but I know that I can carry off my responsibilities.

“You would need to be very energetic to take on that role.”

While he may not be interested in becoming mayor, he said he will consider standing as councillor on the potential new authority in the county.

Cllr Les said it is possible that he will be the last leader of the county council, but added it was too early to tell if he would be part of a new authority.

“I will reflect on it nearer to the time. Let’s take things one step at a time.”

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‘Excellent opportunity’

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‘Excellent news’

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Shake-up of North Yorkshire’s councils

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Frustrations over devolution

No appetite to be mayor