Council freezes Ripon parish precept for third year running

Ripon’s parish precept, which is charged to council tax payers in the city, is being frozen at its current level for the third year in succession.

It means Ripon residents living in a Band D property will pay a parish precept of £70.77 for the financial year 2023/24. People in Bands A to C properties will pay less and those in Bands E to H will pay more.

Final council tax bills for the year ahead are calculated by adding the parish precept to the amounts also charged by the new North Yorkshire Council and the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. The latter two have yet to finalise their amounts.

Ripon City Council unanimously approved its draft budget for 2023-2024 at its January full meeting after independent council leader Andrew Williams told members:

“Because of the increased number of new houses built in Ripon, there are more properties over which the precept will be charged and we are able to raise a levy of £420,000 at no extra cost to the charge payer.

“This is an increase from the £411,000 raised in the last financial year and will enable us to fund, among other things, the programme of public and civic events throughout the year, further improvements  to the city’s Christmas lights infrastructure and refurbishment of Hugh Ripley Hall to increase its earnings potential.”

In the new financial year that comes into effect from April, monies will also be earmarked from reserves to pay for any professional advice required arising from double devolution and negotiations on matters including the transfer of assets such as Ripon Town Hall, Hugh Ripley Hall and Market Square, to the city council

Cllr Williams said:

“These are very difficult times with the cost of living crisis putting families under greater financial pressure through increased food, fuel, mortgage, rent and other costs.

“Faced with these circumstances we thought it only right and proper to freeze the precept charge for the coming financial year.”

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Crime commissioner pledges to tackle ‘woefully low’ rape prosecution rates

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoe Metcalfe has pledged to tackle the county’s “woefully low” prosecution rate for rape.

According to government figures, just nine rape allegations reached court in North Yorkshire between April 2021 and March 2022.

Ms Metcalfe told a meeting this week she planned to visit the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit in Leeds to learn how North Yorkshire could improve its prosecution rate.

The unit consists of lawyers who are specially trained in dealing with allegations of rape, serious sexual offences and child abuse.

Ms Metcalfe, a Conservative who was elected commissioner last year, was responding to a question from Victoria Oldham, the Conservative councillor for Washburn (pictured below), at this week’s Harrogate Borough Council overview and scrutiny committee. Cllr Oldham asked:

“Are you satisfied with the percentages taken through to prosecution?”

Victoria Oldham

Ms Metcalfe replied:

“No I am not. It is woefully low and it needs to get a lot better.”

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Ms Metcalfe said she frequently raised concerns with the Crown Prosecution Service and that violence against women and girls was one of her key priorities.

Cllr Oldham asked whether underfunding was the cause of the problem.

‘Myriad of factors’

Tom Thorp, interim assistant chief executive at the commissioner’s office, replied there were a “myriad of factors involved”, such as collecting evidence, victims not wanting to participate and being unable to locate suspects. Mr Thorp added:

“Then they have to meet evidential thresholds, which can be difficult and even if they get through to prosecution there is no guarantee they will convict.

“Our conviction rate when we get to prosecution is really good – about 80%. That’s one of the highest in the country. Once we get through we know the quality of our cases is good for those that we do take to prosecution so yes, it is about getting more prosecutions.”

Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat leader in Harrogate and Knaresborough, said she was “shocked to learn violence against women and girls is very high”.

Ms Metcalfe said she had launched a strategy to address violence against women and girls that identified gaps in provision and how to work in partnership better. She added:

“I would like more safer places and there will be investment in that going forward.”

City council to make formal complaint about policing in Ripon

Ripon councillors have voted unanimously to make a formal complaint against the city’s police amid fears that the force has lost public confidence.

Concerns about the failure to tackle and eradicate the recurring problems of criminal activity in Ripon, combined with a perceived lack of urgency in their response to 101 calls made by the public, were voiced by Independent and Conservative councillors alike.

In a further blow for residents worried about the lack of police resources to deal with violent and anti-social behaviour, members at last night’s Ripon City Council meeting were told that the provision of a custody suite at the Stonebridgegate site that police share with the city’s firefighters will not materialise.

Photo of Ripon Police and Fire station

The promised custody suite will not be added at that site that Ripon Police share with firefighters.

Former North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott, pledged to fund the project and provide two additional cctv cameras, in a two-pronged plan to support enhanced policing in the city.

But Independent council leader Andrew Williams, said:

“The promises he made were nothing more than pie in the sky, there was no way in a million years that he was going to be able to pay for these facilities out of his community budget. The custody suite alone would have cost up to £7 million.”

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Cllr Williams revealed that Zoe Metcalfe, who was elected commissioner in November following Mr Allott’s resignation – in the face of widespread condemnation of remarks he made in a radio interview about the Sarah Everard murder trial – had requested the council to submit a complaint to her about policing in Ripon.

He said:

“When I and three fellow councillors met with her last week, we had a frank discussion and after listening to our concerns, she asked the council to make a formal complaint, so that she can take the necessary official steps to address the matter.

“Resident are being asked to pay more for policing through their council tax and what they are receiving in Ripon at the moment is not fit for purpose.”

Cllr Mike Chambers, who is also cabinet member for housing and safer communities on Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“I have been pressing the commissioner for more warranted police officers on the beat in Ripon, because the PCSOs (police community support officers) have only limited powers to take action when an incident occurs.”

Cllr Pauline McHardy, an independent city and district councillor, added:

“I spoke with a market stallholder who had their cash box stolen early last Thursday morning. They reported it straight away but the police didn’t send anybody  to investigate the theft. This just isn’t good enough.”

Commissioner candidates questioned: Restoring confidence

In the fifth of a series of articles on crime issues in the Harrogate district, candidates standing to be North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner are questioned on how they will restore confidence. 

When former North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott sparked outrage over his comments on the murder of Sarah Everard, he did not only damage public trust, but also the trust of his own staff.

In a letter, colleagues said their work was “undermined” by Mr Allott’s remarks that women needed to be “streetwise” about arrest powers which were falsely used by the police officer who murdered Ms Everard.

Now, the five candidates competing to replace Mr Allott at Thursday’s election have set out what they would do to try restore that confidence.

Hannah Barham-Brown, Women’s Equality Party

Hannah Barham-Brown said:

“Like many I was shocked and outraged by Phillip Allott’s comments and I’m glad he recognised that his position was untenable.

“Restoring trust and confidence in the commissioner’s office, and ensuring that ending violence against women and girls is a political and policing priority in North Yorkshire, is exactly why I am contesting the post.

“I am unapologetic in my commitment to tackling violence and intend to transform policing priorities to ensure the needs and concerns of everyone – but especially the most marginalised – are at the centre of my work.”

Zoe Metcalfe, Conservative

Harrogate councillor Zoe Metcalfe is the third Conservative hoping to take on the £74,00-a-year commissioner role which was created in 2012.

She said she would restore confidence by “being visible, transparent and open, working alongside our excellent police officers and firefighters”.

Councillor Metcalfe, who is also a project manager for a property company, also made a pledge to “make sure resident’s priorities are put in place to make our streets safer for everyone”.

Emma Scott-Spivey, Labour

Emma Scott-Spivey said a “fresh approach” to overseeing police and fire services is needed following Mr Allott’s resignation last month.

She also said she would volunteer herself to be open to recall powers which exist for MPs, but not for commissioners.

She said:

“I will be guided by what victims say, what the public says and what professionals on the frontline say. I won’t dodge tough conversations or hide from difficult issues or decisions.

“I will be open, accessible and transparent. And I will make sure our police and fire services take the same approach.

“That fresh approach includes donating 20% of the salary to local causes.”

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Keith Tordoff, Independent

Keith Tordoff stood in the previous election in May when Mr Allott won by a margin of more than 31,000 votes.

Mr Tordoff, who finished in third place and previously served for 20 years at West Yorkshire Police, said a key part of his election campaign and a way of restoring confidence is to “keep politics out of the police and fire services”.

He said:

“This is what I stand for. “I’m not in thrall to the vested interests of a political party and people know this. The Tory party gave you their best candidate just six months ago, look how that turned out. ”

James Barker, Liberal Democrat

Liberal Democrat James Barker also stood in the last election, finishing in fourth place. He said there is “much work to do to rebuild trust” in the commissioner’s office.

He said:

“If elected, my priority on day one would be starting the long process of making sure everyone can have faith that the PFCC listens to and supports victims of crime.

“When determining priorities for police and fire services in North Yorkshire, I would seek input from residents and staff to ensure that the police and crime plan for North Yorkshire is genuinely reflective of the needs and concerns of our communities.”

Voters will go to the polls on Thursday, November 25 with the results set to be announced the following day.

North Yorkshire PFCC candidate launches campaign with single policy

A candidate for the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) by-election has launched her manifesto with a single policy.

Dr Hannah Barham-Brown, on behalf of the Women’s Equality Party (WEP), has written a manifesto with a single policy to end violence against women and girls.

She unveiled her manifesto today at Oatlands community centre in Harrogate before she said she would bring a revolutionary approach to the role of PFCC.

The WEP candidate then said she would work with politicians to urge them to do more for women concerned about the threats they face.

Dr Hannah Barham-Brown said:

“I am contesting this election for one reason and for one reason only: to put ending violence against women and girls front and centre in our policing and political priorities in North Yorkshire, and I challenge all of my fellow candidates to join me in this.

“So far in the campaign, I’ve seen other candidates pay lip-service to ending violence, but offering no clear plan on how they’ll do so. Enough is enough.

“While this doesn’t mean I won’t engage with residents’ concerns on a wide range of topics, it does mean I will be singularly focused on ending violence in my campaign.”

During her speech Dr Barham-Brown added that women and girls had been badly let down by Philip Allott, who stepped down as PFCC after his comments on the Sarah Everard case.

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If elected, she has pledged to fund specialist support for those who have reported abuse or sexual violence, introduce an expert scrutiny panel for rape and sexual violence cases.

Her plan also includes rooting out misogyny in the police force, addressing racism in domestic abuse cases and guaranteeing that migrant women have access to specialist support.

She added:

“This violence is not inevitable, but we are at this point because of a total failure of political leadership.

“Politicians of all parties are consistently failing to show up for women, except when it’s already too late.

“Women and girls deserve a PFCC who focuses on ending violence against women – not just managing it – every day and not just when it hits the headlines.

“I promise to deliver that. Women and girls in North Yorkshire deserve to live free from threat and fear of violence, and with the right political leadership we can make that happen.”

Other candidates for the PFCC role

The election of North Yorkshire PFCC will be held on November 25.

Keith Tordoff launches police commissioner campaign in Harrogate

Pateley Bridge man Keith Tordoff held a media launch in Harrogate this morning for his campaign to become the next North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Tordoff, who is standing as an Independent candidate, said he was the man to regain people’s trust after the resignation of Philip Allott.

His manifesto is based on the slogan “safer streets for all”. He said he would find ways to protect vulnerable people and increase public confidence in the police and fire services.

Mr Tordoff said he wanted officers to spend more time on foot talking to people and look at how police deal with areas of persistent anti-social behaviour.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, he said:

“It is very important that we give people confidence that we have safer streets for all. There’s plenty we need to do to achieve this, to show we’re listening to them and doing something about it.”

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Mr Tordoff served as a police officer in Leeds for 20 years and said this set him apart from the other candidates, and would enable him to find practical ways to bring improvements.

Besides working for the police, Mr Tordoff, who has won the support of the Yorkshire Party, also has a business background having served as chairman of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade and owned the sweet shop in Pateley Bridge.

He added:

“North Yorkshire needs strong leadership that can work with everyone, that’s why I’m independent.”

Election on November 25

The commissioner’s role is to hold the county’s chief constable and chief fire officer to account.

The by-election will take place on November 25. Applications to vote by post must be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday 10th, while proxy vote applications must be entered by 5pm on Wednesday 17th.

Mr Tordoff finished third when the role was last contested in May. Turnout then was 25%.

He is standing again following the resignation of Mr Allott in the wake of comments made about the murder of Sarah Everard.

The full list of candidates is:

Hannah Barham-Brown, Women’s Equality Party

James Barker, Liberal Democrats

Zoë Metcalfe, Conservatives

Emma Scott-Spivey, Labour

Keith Tordoff, Independent

Jenni Newberry set to be Philip Allott’s interim successor

A staff member from the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner is set to be appointed interim head of the organisation.

Jenni Newberry, head of commissioning and partnerships, will succeed Philip Allott, who resigned after his comments on the murder of Sarah Everard.

The move will be formalised at the next meeting of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel on November 4.

Ms Newberry is likely to be in post for just three weeks until a full-time successor is elected on November 25.

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So far only Conservative candidate Zoe Metcalfe and independent candidate Keith Tordoff have been nominated for the PFCC election.

Simon Dennis, chief executive of the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said:

“The panel will be asked to consider a proposal that the commissioner’s office be run by Jenni Newberry as part of a team approach.

“If approved, Mrs Newberry would take up the position, working alongside myself and assistant chief executives Tom Thorp and Caroline Blackburn, until the newly elected commissioner assumes the role following their election.”

Mr Allott, who lives in Knaresborough and was elected in May, said Ms Everard should not have “submitted” to arrest by the police officer who murdered her and that women needed to be more “streetwise”.

Philip Allott’s successor to be elected on November 25

Philip Allott’s successor as North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner will be elected on Thursday November 25.

Selby District Council, which is running the election, announced the date today.

Candidates must be nominated by October 29 and the their names will be published on November 1.

A briefing for prospective candidates and agents will take place at 4pm on Monday next week.

Voters will go to the polls just six months after Mr Allott, from Knaresborough, was elected to the £74,000-a-year role.

He resigned on Thursday following comments about the Sarah Everard kidnap, rape and murder by a serving Met Police officer.

Councillors passed a motion of no confidence in his leadership and fellow Conservative politicians, including Ripon MP Julian Smith, called for him to resign.

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In May’s election, the Conservative Mr Allott received 84,737 first and second preference votes.

Labour’s Alison Hume, who received 53,442 total votes, was runner-up.

Ms Hume said on Twitter last week she was “relieved” Mr Allott had resigned but it is not known yet if she will be the Labour candidate again.

The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are also yet to announce their candidates.

Independent Keith Tordoff, who also stood in May’s election and received 22,338 first preference votes, told the Stray Ferret he intends to stand again.

Crime commissioner pledges extra police for Harrogate’s Mayfield Grove

The North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has pledged to push for increased policing in the Mayfield Grove area of Harrogate.

Philip Allott visited the area yesterday to hear concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour on Mayfield Grove and nearby streets, such as Mayfield Terrace and Nydd Vale Terrace.

He was invited by Paul Ivison, who has set up a residents group for people worried about drug dealing, car crime, speeding and anti-social behaviour, particularly in some houses in multiple occupation let by landlords, .

Mr Allott said:

“I will ask the police to step up neighbourhood policing in this area. I will ask them to target the drug dealers and make it hard for the supply chain to operate.”

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He also urged Harrogate Borough Council to take a tougher line against landlords that didn’t do enough to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour on their premises.

“The council possibly needs to be a little more active and realise this is a serious issue. I don’t think the district council has quite latched on to that.

“I will be asking Harrogate Borough Council to be more proactive and serve further closure notices against landlords where relevant.”

North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate Borough Council issued a three-month closure order on 38 Mayfield Grove in March. The two organisations can apply to a court for a closure order if they have concerns about antisocial behaviour and criminal behaviour on premises.

‘Abused by beggars’

Mr Ivison told the commissioner many town centre street beggars stayed in bedsits in the area and said the police should issue more Public Spaces Protection Orders to prevent begging in town, as many of those doing it weren’t genuine rough sleepers, were taking advantage of people and making a mess.

Mr Allott agreed the “town centre was being abused by beggars” who took advantage of “kindly, well disposed people who think they are helping”, adding:

“It’s patently clear a lot of these characters in the town centre are not what they present themselves to be.

“But I do recognise that there are a minority of people who through no fault of their own find themselves in a destitute position.”

Mr Allott said he supported the use of Public Spaces Protection Orders “where it is proportionate and necessary but not as a blanket measure”.

Ripon crime: North Yorkshire Crime Commissioner pledges investment

The North Yorkshire Crime Commissioner has pledged investment in Ripon after he joined a local officer on patrol to discuss to the city’s recent spike in anti-social behaviour.

Commissioner Philip Allott was driven around the Bondgate area by Police Community Support Officer, Sue Whitehead, to discover how the force is tackling crime on the frontline.

Mr Allott said he intends to give local officers the resources they need. This includes a phased investment in the city’s combined police and fire station on Stonebridgegate.

Short-term plans are set to go before the executive board next week which could see the old smokehouse tower demolished to make space for new development, such as extra office space.

Longer term plans involves a new combined station but Mr Allott said this wouldn’t be for three to four years.

Mr Allott said:

“It was good to meet the local policing team and hear about the issues that they face daily.

“Inspector Langley and I discussed options for providing diversionary activities for young people in the city which we can look at.

“I also looked at the facilities for the police officers in Ripon and Chief Constable Lisa Winward and myself both agreed that some investment is needed in the building.”

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Mr Allott also said the number of officers in the city is under review. Former Commissioner, Julia Mulligan, had already increased the number of officers in the city after calls from the public and city councillors.