New housing developments in Ripon have enabled the parish precept charged to council tax payers in the city to be frozen for the second successive year.

The parish precept is charged on top of the tax paid to North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

It means residents living in a Band D property will pay a parish precept of £71.89 for the year. People in Bands A to C properties will pay less and those in Bands E to H will pay more.

At last night’s meeting of Ripon City Council, the draft budget for 2022-2023 was unanimously approved after independent council leader Andrew Williams told members:

“Because of the increased number of new houses built in Ripon, we are able to raise a levy of £410,902, at no extra cost to the charge payer.”

Hugh Ripley Hall

The figure represents a 3% increase for the parish council budget, which stood at £400,000 last year and Cllr Williams explained:

“As we are collecting from a larger base, we are able to freeze the precept for the second year running.

“We believe that this is the right and proper thing to do, at a time when families are under greater financial pressure through increased fuel and other costs.”

The bulk of the money will be spent on the queen’s platinum jubilee celebration in June, other public and civic events during the year and items including town hall rent and the management and upkeep of Hugh Ripley Hall and Ripon’s team of hornblowers.

Conservative councillor Mike Chambers, who represents Ripon at city, district and county council level, said:

“I am delighted that there will be no increase in the parish precept and I lend it my support.”

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Ripon Farm Services is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary with the return of its annual show next week.

The New Year Show will be held over two days at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate on January 19 and 20.

The show, which is one of the key events on the northern agricultural calendar, will feature the largest combine harvester in Europe and the new John Deere 6R tractor.

More than 5,000 people are expected to attend.

The event was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

There will be some measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus, including a requirement for proof of full vaccination together with negative lateral flow tests.

Richard Simpson, commercial director of Ripon Farm Services, said the team had thought long and hard about whether to go ahead with the show. He said:

“In the end we believe the farming community needs and deserves our support.

“Farmers can’t cancel lambing time, they can’t cancel milking or cancel harvest, they have to carry on, no matter what.

“The nation relies on them. So it would be unfair of us to let farmers down.

“After last year’s cancellation, which was unavoidable, we are delighted to be back with one of the very finest shows we have ever held.”

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Dan Robinson, who is heading up the preparations for the show, added:

“Apart from those two headline machines, we will be showcasing everything we do, including a huge range of used equipment which will be available to buy.

“This is the very best opportunity to see all the very latest and best farming machinery in one single location.

“The show is housed in the warm and dry Yorkshire Events Centre at the Great Yorkshire Showground and there is no better place to see all that we offer.

“Our specialists across all sectors will be available to answer any questions during the two days, and there will be seminars and presentations

“So the event is ultimately a one-stop shop for farmers across the north of England.”

Harrogate Borough Council is being urged to return assets such as the town hall and spa gardens to local ownership in Ripon before devolution comes into effect next year.

Harrogate Borough Council took control of the assets when it was created following local government reorganisation in 1974.

At the same time the Municipal Borough of Ripon was abolished and the city reduced to parish council status under the authority of Harrogate Borough Council.

Now, with another major shake-up of local government looming, Ripon City Council is calling for the city’s town hall, Hugh Ripley Hall, Market Square (pictured below), Spa Gardens and Spa Park to be transferred back to local ownership.

It says provisions in the Localism Act, designed to protect assets of community value (ACV), should be used to achieve this prior to the formation of the new North Yorkshire unitary authority next year.

Moves are already underway to retain community use at Spa Baths, after the city council successfully applied in September to have the historic building listed as an ACV.

Market Square

With Harrogate Borough Council due to be scrapped in April next year, independent Ripon city and district councillor Pauline McHardy told the Stray Ferret:

“There’s absolutely no reason for Harrogate to hang on to assets that rightfully belong to us.

“Not a penny was paid for them when they were handed to Harrogate in 1974 and we want them to be transferred back.”

Cllr McHardy put forward a notice of motion, seconded by fellow Ripon independent councillor Sid Hawke, which was due to be discussed at Harrogate Borough Council’s full council meeting in December, but the meeting was cancelled.

The motion calling for the return of the assets, is due to come before next month’s full meeting of HBC.

Cllr McHardy, pointed out:

“We will continue to press for the freehold of key assets in the city to be handed back to Ripon.”

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Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith has said the supply of covid tests is improving after complaints that the system is in “chaos”, with health workers and residents left empty handed.

Mr Smith was told at a North Yorkshire County Council meeting on Friday that there have been no lateral flow tests available at Skipton’s pharmacies with staff at the town’s vaccination centre also unable to get tested as demand soared over the festive period.

Conservative councillor Mike Chambers, who represents the Ripon North division, described the system as being in “chaos” after people in the city have struggled to get test kits.

Mike Chambers

Independent councillor Andy Solloway, who represents Skipton West, told the meeting the shortages were putting a strain on the local economy and had also led to some residents launching abuse at pharmacy staff. He said:

Conservative MP Mr Smith said the government recognised there has been a surge in demand for tests and that while supply chains were improving, he would write to Health Secretary Sajid Javid to highlight the issue.

He said:

“The government is aware there was a big crunch point just after Christmas and they are now more confident on supply.

“This is an important issue as we need to get people confident to go to their workplaces, particularly health workers and others on the frontline.”

Read more:

• Andrew Lupton, sales director of Ripon firm Econ, dies suddenly
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‘Ridiculous situation’

Friday’s meeting also heard complaints from Conservative councillor Stuart Martin that health workers – including a family member – had been unable to get tested.

Stuart Martin

Councillor Martin, who represents Ripon South and is also chairman of the county council, said:

“My daughter is a paramedic and some of her colleagues came to my door over the Christmas break as they were unable to access any testing kits whatsoever.

“Luckily we had a couple of tests that we were able to give them, but this is a ridiculous situation.”

It comes as the government has said the current Plan B covid restrictions will remain in place for now.

Changes from tomorrow

It has also been announced that people who test positive with a lateral flow test do not need a follow-up PCR test if they do not have symptoms. These changes come into force from tomorrow.

Mr Smith told Friday’s meeting that he believed the Plan B rules – which include working from home, face coverings on public transport and in public places, and NHS covid passes – were “relatively soft” and that the decision to stick with them was “proportionate”. He said:

“It feels as if that judgement has been correct, but obviously there are still very strong crosswinds on parts of the NHS.

“We are not out of the woods yet and we all need to do whatever we can to encourage the following of the rules.”

Ripon firm Econ Engineering has paid tribute to its “much-loved” sales director Andrew Lupton, who has died.

In a statement this morning, Econ said Mr Lupton had died “suddenly and unexpectedly” yesterday.

Mr Lupton, 56, ran the second-generation family business alongside his brother and co-director Jonathan Lupton and finance director Bev Shepherd.

The statement added:

“His untimely death has come as a terrible shock, and will take some time for us to come to terms with.

“Our thoughts at this incredibly sad time go out to his family and all those who knew Andrew, either professionally or personally.

“Andrew worked with immense passion and enthusiasm. It was his drive and determination that helped grow Econ into the business it is today.”

The company has set up a JustGiving page in Mr Lupton’s memory for people to pay tribute. The money raised will go to Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity.

The JustGiving page says the intensive care unit at Harrogate District Hospital cared for Andrew in his final hours.

Econ is the UK’s leading manufacturer of gritters and highway maintenance vehicles.

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People in the Harrogate district will be given the opportunity to see the solar system and Milky Way from an observatory near Ripon next month and in March.

Lime Tree Observatory at Lime Tree Farm, at Grewelthorpe, is offering a series of tours as part of Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty‘s Dark Skies Festival.

If the weather is clear, telescopes will be available to see the dark nights skies close up.

Nidderdale is home to some of the darkest skies in the country and has four dark sky discovery sites — Thruscross reservoir, Scar House reservoir, Fewston and Toft Gate — which are recognised as excellent and accessible places to stargaze.

Credit: Martin Whipp

Iain Mann, Nidderdale AONB manager, said:

“Our dark skies are part of what makes this landscape so special with the opportunity to see thousands of stars, and even at times, the Northern Lights.

“But this wondrous sight is under threat with increasing light pollution. It also threatens nocturnal wildlife, wastes energy and can even affect our own wellbeing.”

New planeterium coming

Lime Tree Observatory, which has a 24-inch reflecting telescope with a motor driven and a presentation room, is run by volunteers on a not-for-profit basis.

Nidderdale AONB recently awarded the observatory a Farming in Protected Landscapes grant to buy digital projection equipment for its new planetarium, which has been three years in the making.

Built in a converted old hay barn, the planetarium will be six and a half metres in diameter, and is set to open to the public this year.

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The three-year Defra-funded Farming in Protected Landscapes grant programme offers financial support for one-off projects that either support nature recovery, provide better access or engagement with the land, or increases the business resilience of ‘nature friendly’ farms.

Astronomer, filmmaker and volunteer at Lime Tree Observatory, Martin Whipp, said:

“When it opens, the new planetarium will have a real wow-factor. You’ll be able to fly through the Orion Nebula, or witness simulations of galaxies colliding in this immersive experience.”

“The observatory aims to truly engage and inspire the public. Here, children can hold a meteorite that’s four billion years old. It can really fire imaginations. Space offers an exciting platform to learn physics, to inspire art, poetry and philosophy.”

The Dark Skies Festival also offers a chance to canoe under the stars at How Stean Gorge in Lofthouse.

For details and to book for the Lime Tree Observatory, click here.

Tickets are limited and booking essential.

What is Nidderdale AONB?

Nidderdale AONB, which is funded by the government, is an area of 233 square miles located on the eastern flanks of the Yorkshire Pennines stretching from Great Whernside to the edge of the Vale of York.

AONBs are designated in recognition of their national importance and to ensure that their character and qualities are protected for all to enjoy.

January can be a pretty depressing month.

Our finances have usually taken a hit thanks to Christmas, we feel run-down due to the impact the festive season has had on our nutrition and sleep and the cold, gloomy days don’t help either.

Add to that the effect the pandemic has, and continues to have, on our mental health, it comes as no surprise some of us just want to lie down in a dark room and hibernate until spring.

If the past year has been a slog, these breaks focusing on nutrition, yoga and mindfulness in the Harrogate district can help restore balance, health and creativity.

Ripon City Council has set aside £105,000 for four days of celebrations to mark this year’s queen’s platinum jubilee.

To celebrate the queen’s reign as the longest-serving British monarch, Ripon will stage events for people of all ages over an extended Bank Holiday weekend from June 2 to 5.

There will be a civic service on the morning of June 2 at Ripon Cathedral (pictured below) and a street party the following day. Other activities will range from concerts to light shows that will turn buildings red, white and blue.

The city has deep royal roots dating back to Alfred The Great, who allegedly awarded Ripon its charter horn in 886,

In an echo of this, the city is commissioning the production of a new platinum jubilee horn in honour of the queen.

It will be used by a member of the hornblower team in the setting of the watch ceremony, which takes place nightly at 9pm at the obelisk in Market Square.

Four-day ‘extravaganza’

A peal of bells will sound at on February 6 to signal the platinum jubilee.

The bells will mark the 70th anniversary of the death of the queen’s father, King George VI.

His death in 1952 saw his elder daughter, the then 25-year-old Princess Elizabeth, take the throne.

Council leader Andrew Williams, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are aiming to create a four-day jubilee extravaganza that can be enjoyed by all members of the community. Beyond the bank holiday, the new horn will provide a lasting legacy and reminder of the queen’s remarkable service.

“The  council is working in partnership with Ripon Cathedral, Ripon BID and Ripon Together in planning the many activities and events that will take place.”

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A 1.99% tax rise has been backed by Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet after officials warned some of the authority’s key income streams won’t return to pre-pandemic levels until at least 2023.

Paul Foster, head of finance at the council, told a meeting last night that the rise equates to an extra £5 per household per year and was needed as the authority is still feeling the effects of covid and decades of government funding cuts.

If the proposed increase gets final approval in February, contributions to the borough council for the average Band D property will rise to £255.92.

Mr Foster said last night: 

“Given the impacts of the pandemic, we are provisionally forecasting a budgeted reduction in income of £150,000 in 2022/23.

“And income is not forecast to reach pre-pandemic levels until 2023/24 in the areas of commercial property, planning fees and Harrogate Convention Centre lettings.”

Mr Foster also said government grant allocations had been reduced by £8.2m since 2010 and that the council would have to use reserves cash to fund some major projects.

These include plans to accelerate a redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre, as well as carbon reduction works at the venue and other council-owned buildings.

Mr Foster said: 

“Overall, in order to produce a balanced budget, a net transfer from the budget transition fund of £142,000 is required.

“And finally, a thorough review of reserves has identified that just short of £4.5m can be repurposed, with a recommendation that £2.8m is set aside to fund the acceleration of works at the convention centre, and just short of £1.7m is set aside to support our carbon reduction strategy.”

The tax rise has been proposed as part of the council’s final ever budget before it is abolished and replaced with a new North Yorkshire-wide authority which will take over control of all services from April 2023.

• Harrogate council proposes 1.99% council tax rise in final ever budget
• Convention centre forecasts £510,000 profit ahead of decision on major redevelopment

This will mark the biggest changes to local government in the area for almost 50 years, with elections to the new council set to take place in May 2022.

Currently, the borough council makes up just under 13% of council tax bills, while North Yorkshire County Council makes up 70% and police and fire services the remainder.

Speaking at last night’s meeting, Cllr Graham Swift, deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development at the council, said the authority’s council tax contributions represented “incredible value” and would help keep key services and projects running.

He said: 

“For £255 we not only empty the bins and provide local cleaning services, but also look after parks, gardens, leisure facilities, and health and homeless charity programmes.

“On top of that, we are still able to invest in meaningful activities that improve the district and lives of residents.”

Entries are now open for Ripon Civic Society’s biennial design awards, which recognise the best architecture in the Ripon area.

The awards are usually held every two years but covid forced their cancellation in 2020. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on April 7.

Applications are being sought in six categories, from private individuals, developers, builders and related trades for suitable projects, completed within the past four years.

A copy of the application form for the 2022 awards, which should be completed and submitted by January 31, can be downloaded from the civic society website. 

The last awards in 2018 marked the society’s golden jubilee year.

Winners included the Himalayan Garden in Grewelthorpe, which won the Younge Rosebowl for Best Environmental Improvement.

The Spa at Swinton Park and High Trees, a new house on the former college site in Ripon, were named joint winners of the Hazzard Cup for the Best New Building.

The Spa at Swinton

High Trees also took the Sustainability Award.

High Trees

The Folly! art installations in the water garden at Studley Royal were named as winner of the John Whitehead Award, with which the civic society recognised an outstanding contribution to the area.

The Folly! art installation.

Society chairman Christopher Hughes, said:

“Due to the onset of the covid pandemic in 2020 our design awards ceremony due to be held that year was unfortunately but unavoidably cancelled.

“We are delighted to announce however that the delayed awards ceremony will now be held on Thursday 7 April and further details regarding the venue will be announced shortly.”

The full list of categories for which applications can be made are:

• The Hazzard Silver Cup for Best New Building
• The Price Flagon for Best Restored Building
• The Younge Rosebowl for Best Environmental Improvement
• The Craftsmanship Shield for Best Craftsmanship
• The Taylor Plate for the Best Contribution to City Centre Revitalisation
• The Sustainability Award

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