A major consultation will ask people across North Yorkshire to give their views on public services this month.

North Yorkshire County Council is carrying out the project, titled Let’s Talk, to provide the foundations for decision-making and policy when the new unitary authority comes into effect in April next year.

It will see the existing NYCC and seven district councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, abolished in favour of the single authority for the whole of North Yorkshire, excluding York.

NYCC’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said the results will deliver a vision for the new council, showing people’s priorities for spending on everything from social care and education to waste collection, recycling and highways maintenance.

He said:

“Having one new council will save millions of pounds by streamlining services and preventing duplication, creating the most efficient and cost-effective way of delivering them that we can.

“This money will help support services to ensure they are stronger and fit for the future and will fund decision-making on the most local level possible.

“It is vital we engage with the public to help shape exactly how the new council will operate, and this biggest ever conversation in North Yorkshire will be the way in which we can glean people’s views.

“I would urge everyone who lives and works in North Yorkshire to take time to put forward their opinions, and we will listen carefully to those views.”

The Let’s Talk campaign begins on Monday, September 19, running until Friday, December 23.

The first topic in the consultation will be on local communities, looking at education, job opportunities, parks and open spaces, and more.

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Future discussions will include public transport, roads and pavements, and access to libraries and museums. Housing provision, climate change and mobile phone and broadband coverage will also form part of the project.

The responses will help to shape policy for North Yorkshire Council over the first three years of its existence.

NYCC has pledged to ensure all communities have the opportunity to engage with the consultations through local events, which are yet to be announced, and online.

Cllr Les added:

“The new council will be the largest geographically in the country as it will cover England’s largest county, but it is being built with local at the heart of everything it will do.

“There will be local staff providing local services, based on local priorities and decision-making taking into account the views of the public.”

To take part in the consultation from September 19, click here. Details of events will also be posted on the same website.

Hookstone Chase Primary School in Harrogate is set to welcome a new headteacher this term.

Joe Cooper joins from All Saints’ Primary School in Ilkley where he spent three years as deputy headteacher.

Mr Cooper settled in Harrogate in 2005 from London. He has since developed his career in North Yorkshire, with short periods teaching in New Zealand and as a music specialist.

Mr Cooper said:

“It is a great privilege to have been asked to lead Hookstone Chase Primary School.  We have a proud history as an inclusive school for all children – with space for everyone to grow and develop their knowledge, skills and abilities.

“Straight away this term we will be opening a brand new outdoor play and learning area for our youngest children who are just joining us. We are a school that is investing in the future.”

Mr Cooper shares a ukulele lesson with pupils. Pic: John Furlong

Hookstone Chase is part of the Northern Star Academies Trust, which includes four other Harrogate schools, as well as schools in Skipton and Keighley.

Its other Harrogate schools are Harrogate High School, New Park Primary Academy School, Starbeck Primary Academy and Willow Tree Community Primary School.

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Craig Goold, chair of Hookstone Chase’s local governing body, said:

“Joe has hit the ground running.  It’s going to be a busy year ahead.  Joe has a huge amount of energy and drive. We are definitely a school that is going places in 2023.”

Jenn Plews, chief executive at Northern Star Academies Trust, said:

“It is great to have Joe on board. Joe has really embraced our trust’s deep commitment to sustainability, the environment and outdoor learning. He is just the kind of creative leader that schools need to bring education to life”.

Schools, care homes and public services across the Harrogate district are putting in place measures to protect vulnerable people from the extreme temperatures expected today and tomorrow.

With the Met Office forecasting highs of 38C and red warnings in place, there is a risk to health, especially for the elderly, very young and people with existing medical conditions.

Ice creams for hospital patients

Measures are being put in place to help patients and staff keep cool at Harrogate District Hospital and Ripon Community Hospital.

On the wards and in outpatient areas, temperatures will be monitored and air conditioning units are available if needed. High risk patients will be watched closely and ice creams and lollies will be available to help people cool down.

A spokesperson for Harrogate District NHS Foundation Trust said staff have been given advice on ways to keep cool while working during the heatwave, including wearing light-weight scrubs.

Some appointments where physical exertion is needed, such as physio appointments, may be postponed until the weather is cooler.

The spokesperson said:

“Our emergency department is always busy and under pressure during severe weather due to an increased number of people visiting our hospital – some with heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

“Waiting times to be seen during these times can be longer than usual due to demand.”

Anyone considering going to the emergency department is asked to call NHS 111 first or visit the 111 service online, unless it is a severe or life-threatening situation.

The service can offer advice and even book people in to be seen quickly on arrival if a hospital visit is needed.

Anyone arriving without an appointment will still be seen, with the most urgent cases being dealt with first.

Council bin collections to start earlier

Harrogate Borough Council has made some adjustments to its services in order to keep staff safe.

A spokesperson said:

“Waste and recycling collection rounds will be starting earlier in the morning to enable rounds to be completed earlier and limit work time in the hottest part of the day.

“In relation to our Brimhams Active health and wellbeing services, all staff cover heat exhaustion as part of their staff training, they will be reminded of what to look for and how to treat any incidences.

“At our community wellbeing hubs we have plans in place to increase breaks and water at all sessions.

“We are using the government guidance for vulnerable adults and will err on the side of caution and cancel when/if appropriate.”

Risk assessments have been completed for extreme heat and adjustments made, including for staff working outdoors. The spokesperson said there may be some changes to services if required to protect staff and vulnerable residents.

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Extra checks on vulnerable residents

As the public health authority for the Harrogate district, North Yorkshire County Council has issued advice about keeping homes cool, including:

• closing curtains and windows in rooms facing the sun
• turning off unneeded electrical appliances
• finding shade outside, which may be cooler than indoors
• not leaving anyone, including children, the elderly and animals, inside a closed, parked vehicle
• storing medication according to packet instructions
• ensuring fridges, freezers and fans are working properly

The council’s director of public health, Louise Wallace, said:

“Those in our communities who may be more vulnerable will be receiving increased checks on them throughout hot spells.

“However, we would appeal to those who are able to take the time to check whether friends, relatives and neighbours need help and to call for assistance if necessary.

“Public buildings operated by the county council will also be kept as cool as possible while temperatures remain high, but we would advise people to avoid making unnecessary journeys while the weather remains hot.

Care homes focus on hydration

Jill Young, operations director at Vida Healthcare, said its homes have plans in place ready to be activated in the event of a heatwave and some measures began to be introduced last week.

She said hydration was a particular focus, as well as adapted menus with cold foods to reduce use of ovens in the kitchen, adding:

“During hot weather, we also introduce extra fluid measures. Our chefs make jelly sweets that contain 20ml of water per sweet – our residents love them and it can be a straightforward way of giving them a little extra fluid.

“Our freezers are kept stocked with ice creams and ice lollies for both staff and residents which are available at all times, and our residents also have access to jugs of juice and water in their rooms and the communal areas.

“We’re very lucky that all three of our homes have access to secure outdoor spaces with shaded areas that our residents can enjoy.

“If a resident is keen to go outside, our staff will make sure they’re wearing a hat and suncream, and will encourage them to sit in the shade to keep safe from the sun.”

At Emmaus House, opposite Harrogate’s Valley Gardens, manager Chrissie Steel said extra jugs of cold squash will be placed around the home.

“For people with dementia, they may not be able to recognise they are thirsty, or to tell us they need a drink, but they can often point to a jug if they see one.

“We’re very fortunate to be close to the Valley Gardens to get outside when it’s cool enough – and many of our residents who have spent time in Africa earlier in life absolutely love this heat!”

Schools relax uniform policy

Some schools have relaxed uniform policies for Monday and Tuesday, allowing students to attend in light-weight clothing.

Many have said they will keep children indoors during the hottest part of the day and will be ensuring they drink more water than usual.

NYCC public health director Louise Wallace said:

“Staff in schools are aware of the potential risks created by a heatwave and school children should aim to have sun cream applied before attending school next week, and ensure they have a refillable water bottle with them.”

Warning over power supplies

Northern Powergrid has warned the high temperatures could cause disruption to power supplies.

It has asked people to report power cuts via its website or by calling 105.

Anyone who could need more assistance in a power cut, such as people with medical conditions or disabilities, or families with very young children, can sign up for priority services membership and will be kept updated during any disruption.

A spokesperson for Northern Powergrid said:

“Our customer support vehicles are also prepped and ready to go out into local communities, where possible.

“We have also taken action to remind our people of the importance of staying hydrated and protected so they can continue to work safely during the hot weather.”

Schools in the Harrogate district are celebrating the Queen’s platinum jubilee ahead of next week’s half-term holidays.

Pupils have been making crafts, performing re-enactments and putting on performances to commemorate the Queen’s 70th year on the throne.

If you have images of jubilee activities at your school, send them to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will add them to this article.

Harrogate Ladies’ College 

The Harrogate Ladies’ College held a special jubilee dinner and finished it off with a ceilidh.

Springwater School 

The sixth form students at the Harrogate school put on a opened their own jubilee bakery with home-made scones, cakes and jam.

The students also decorated the school in red, white and blue and had their own version of the Queen sat in the school.

St Peter’s Church of England Primary School

Pupils at St Peter’s have had a busy week celebrating the platinum jubilee.

This week Owl class held a tea party with a specially choreographed dance to perform alongside ‘Dancing for Wellbeing’ a local group of elderly residents who dance for their health and enjoyment.

The school had a full church service followed by an afternoon of craft making flags, keyrings and painting canvases and stones.

Years 3 and 4

Starbeck Primary Academy

Children dressed up in red, white, blue, purple and silver. They had a day making craft and artwork that was all dedicated to Her Majesty.

Scotton Lingerfield Primary School

Children at Scotton Lingerfield dressed up in red, white and blue and took part in craft activities this week.

Fountains Church of England Primary School

Fountains Church School has held a week of jubilee activities for its students.

The children danced and sang whilst decorating plates to keep as a momento of the platinum jubilee.

An afternoon tea was also held for all the parents with the children spending much of the morning preparing sandwiches and cakes for the adults to enjoy.

Upper Nidderdale Primary Federation – Glasshouses Community Primary, St Cuthbert’s C of E and Fountains Earth C of E Primary Schools

This week the three schools have been learning about the Queen’s reign and commemorated the event by burying a time capsule and planting a rose tree.

The children also performed a song, made crowns and painted portraits of the Queen.

Over the week, the schools invited parents in to enjoy tea and cakes.

Today, children across all three schools will come together to enjoy an afternoon tea at lunchtime.

Kirkby Malzeard Church of England Primary School

Children at Kirkby Malzeard School made crowns and decorated cakes to celebrate the jubilee.

Dacre Braithwaite Church of England Primary School

Pupils at Dacre Braithwaite Primary enjoyed a jubilee themed day yesterday with a variety of activities.

The children learnt about the significance of the Union Jack flag and to sing the National Anthem. They also made and decorated 96 jubilee buns and made their own crowns.

They did plan to have an outdoor street party but unfortunately the weather meant it had to be inside but headteacher, Jo Dobbs said it was still a “brilliant day”.

Western Primary School

Children from Western Primary School had their faces painted and got to dress up for the day today as they learnt about the Queen’s 70-year reign.

The students spent the morning learning about the jubilee and what the Queen has done during her reign.

Angelique Coatesworth, year 3 and four phase leader, said:

“We watched a clip of the original coronation and marvelled at the pomp and ceremony, especially the golden coach.  All the children were fascinated with our discussions on what life was like back when the queen was coronated at just 25 years old.

“We made some commemorative art of the queen’s face. The children worked very carefully on these. Our dress up winners each received a royal themed book. This was organised by our wonderful family and friends.”

Killinghall Church of England Primary School

Pupils at Killinghall Primary School held a coronation with a garden party and a musical concert.

Grewelthorpe Church of England Primary School

Students at the school held a coronation re-enactment using props and costumes they made themselves.

Andrew Breckon, year 5 and 6 teacher, said:

“We held it in the village church and then had a tea party back at school with our new ‘Elizabeth sponge’ which the children made too.”

Students from Grewelthorpe made their own costumes for the re-enactment.

St Robert’s Catholic Primary School 

The year 2 Starlings class at St Robert’s got their very own visit from the Queen.

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Brackenfield School 

Brackenfield School is preparing for a jubilee showcase tomorrow with readings, music and performances by the children.

The first half will be led by the infants performing two original songs written by the school’s music director, Helen Leaf, and classic London-based songs such as Lambeth Walk.

The second half of the showcase will begin with a montage from the school’s junior choir, including musical numbers and readings, guiding the audience through the life of the Queen up to the present day.

Headteacher Joe Masterson said:

“The jubilee is a fantastic opportunity for us to hold an afternoon filled with delicious cakes and impressive entertainment, highlighting the wonderful and wide-ranging talents of our children. They have been rehearsing tirelessly, all eagerly anticipating their performances, and can’t wait to host our special guests.”

Moorside Primary School

Children at Moorside Primary School in Ripon were gifted special, wooden pennies from the Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels to commemorate the jubilee.

The pennies have been made by a team of workers at Jennyruth Workshops and have been gifted to every pupil at the 17 primary schools in the city and surrounding villages.

The school held a garden party, attended by a woman looking very much like Her Majesty, organised a Royal Bake Off and dressed in red, white and blue.

Headteacher Claire Rowett said:

“We’ve had a week of celebrations involving our children and staff and everybody was in a joyous jubilee mood, as we look forward to the the events being held in the city centre and residential streets.”

“As a prelude to the extended Bank Holiday weekend, we created a portrait gallery with pictures of the Queen drawn by pupils.”

The children, with Union Jacks in hand, prepare for ‘The Queen’s’ arrival

The Queen’ meets one of the pupils at Moorside Primary

Follifoot Church of England Primary School

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School

St Joseph’s school celebrated on earlier this week with all the children dressing in red, white and blue and enjoying a street party on the playground and playing field.

Children and their families were invited to join the event. Children sang, shared foods, played party games and took part in a royal quiz.

It has been a volatile few years in Hong Kong with protests, the jailing of opposition politicians and the closure of media outlets.

Now according to a local estate agent, an increasing number of people from Hong Kong are moving to Harrogate as Chinese rule has led to a crackdown on freedom and democracy.

In January last year, the UK government offered a new visa to residents of its former colony. It expects that 300,000 Hong Kongers will make the move in the next five years. Around 100,000 applied for the visa in 2021 alone.

Three of them are members of a family that moved to Harrogate last year.

Candy Yip and her husband Man Wong, both 44, brought with them bubble tea and opened a cafe called Sweet Pearl House on Commercial Street in January. It also sells traditional Hong Kong egg waffles.

Ms Yip said she wanted their daughter, 16, to have more freedom and a better education than what was possible in Hong Kong.

She said she has been impressed with the town’s safe surroundings and friendly people since making the move.

“Harrogate’s environment is very lovely and I feel very safe when I live here. People are very friendly.

“When we live in Harrogate, we can feel no stress. The people here enjoy their life and I can also feel the relaxing atmosphere.”

More fresh air

Hong Kong has the most skyscrapers above 150 metres in the world with 518.

Space is at a premium and many families live in cramped apartment buildings high up in the sky.

Harrogate’s tallest building is The Exchange on Station Parade which stands at a humble 42 metres.

There is also decidedly less hustle and less bustle than the Asian metropolis, which has almost 8 million residents.

Ms Yip said the lower building density in Harrogate coupled with much more open space makes it an appealing contrast to back home in Hong Kong.

She said:

“I think Harrogate is a popular place for Hong Kongers to live in is because Harrogate has not many tall buildings. It makes people feel more comfortable because Hong Kong has too many tall buildings and here we can get more fresh air.

“Harrogate has lots of countryside and we can also see different kinds of animals such as sheep and horses. It is really beautiful.”

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Global property map

Hong Kong-based newspaper South China Morning Post published an article in March that said Hong Kongers are ‘turbocharging’ the UK’s already red-hot housing market.

David Waddington, director at Linley & Simpson, said since the start of the year the estate agent has seen an increase in people from Hong Kong looking to move to the Harrogate district.

Many Hong Kong exiles have sold their property or businesses in the city before moving to the UK, which means they can afford the district’s high house prices.

Mr Waddington said in one new development in the area as many as 15% of the properties were sold to families relocating from Hong Kong.

“Since the turn of the year we have seen people moving from Hong Kong to start a new life in the Harrogate district in ever-increasing numbers.

“In one new homes development we launched to market recently, three of the twenty properties have been sold to families relocating from Hong Kong.

“Hits on our website from Hong Kong have witnessed a notable uptick too. While Harrogate is a magnet for home buyers from a diverse number of international countries, its name and ‘brand’ is well-known to many in Hong Kong.”

An attractive destination

HK UK Support Ltd is a company that specialises in helping people from Hong Kong relocate to the UK.

Last month it published a Q&A on its YouTube channel with Sue Brandom, inward investment officer at Harrogate Borough Council.

Ms Brandom cited Betty’s, Knaresborough and the Nidderdale countryside as reasons why the district can be an attractive destination for Hong Kongers looking to make the move.

They are all points that are hard to disagree with, although new district resident Candy Yip said Harrogate would be “perfect” if it had just a few more Asian food options.

“I miss my family and friends and also the food in Hong Kong. Hong Kong has more options of food for people such as Korean food. I think if Harrogate can have more variety of food, it will be perfect.”

The vast majority of parents have got their child in to their first choice primary school in the Harrogate district, new figures reveal.

Primary school admissions statistics for entry in September show that 96.6 per cent of children have been given their first preference.

The figures published by North Yorkshire County Council also show that 99.5 per cent of pupils got one of their five preferences.

However, some parents have been left disappointed.

Nicola Njie’s daughter missed out on a place at her first choice school of Killinghall and her second of Hampsthwaite. She was offered her third choice of Bilton Grange, which she says is closer to where she lives, but she works full-time at a nursery in Killinghall.

She plans to appeal against the decision, but said she had to explain to her daughter that she “probably wouldn’t be going to school with most of her friends”.

She said:

“I will appeal and see what happens.”

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Stuart Carlton, the county council’s corporate director of children and young people’s services, said every effort was made to accommodate the families’ preference of school for their child.

He said:

“The handful of children not offered one of their families’ school preferences were offered a place at their local school.

“Families can preference any school, and are encouraged to preference up to five schools.

“Where a school is oversubscribed, the admissions criteria for the school determines the priority for places. In most cases, the deciding factor is the distance from home to school.

“We closely monitor developing areas to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to accommodate the children living in the local area.”

Mr Carlton said parents could appeal here.

Across North Yorkshire, there has been a slight increase of more than one per cent from last year to 96 per cent on the number securing their first choice.

Mr Carlton added:

“We wish all children who start primary school in September all the best and hope they enjoy a happy and exciting start in their new schools.”

Plans have been submitted to create a new, modern outdoor learning facility at Bewerley Park, near Pateley Bridge.

The proposals include two new accommodation blocks, a changing and wet suit drying room, and a central ‘hub’ space.

Each accommodation block would include 12 en-suite dormitories – seven with six beds and five with eight beds – and eight single rooms for staff.

The two-storey ‘hub’ would have space for lessons, dining, games and indoor sports, as well as a reception and kitchen facilities.

The new, larger buildings would be built in the same part of the site as the current smaller dormitories and would be centred around a courtyard. The project would be completed in phases, with the first accommodation block built before the old rooms are demolished.

The proposed new buildings at Bewerley Park

In a supporting statement, North Yorkshire County Council‘s agent, Align Property Partners, said:

“Simply, the design and layout of the current buildings do not meet the demands and function requirements of a modern outdoor education centre.

“The size and layout of the existing dormitories are inflexible in terms of varying occupancy and limit the potential use of the centre. For this reason, a new dormitory block is proposed in the first phase.”

As well as catering for schools and other groups, the plan references including facilities for campers, with a shower and toilet block. This, it says, forms part of the business plan: NYCC has emphasised the need for Bewerley Park to be sustainable without relying on funding from the taxpayer.

The residential centre had faced an uncertain future last year when owners North Yorkshire County Council said it was running at significant loss and its accommodation was not up to scratch.

However, after extensive support from schools and individuals, the county council decided to invest in the site for future use.

Full details of the planning application can be found here. Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision about the proposal on a date to be confirmed.

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Covid testing sites across North Yorkshire, including on Tower Street in Harrogate and Ripon’s coach park, will be closed next week.

As free testing comes to an end from Friday, April 1, the last day for the testing sites to operate will be Wednesday, March 30, North Yorkshire County Council‘s Outbreak Management Advisory Board heard today.

Cllr Michael Harrison, the county council’s executive member for adult services and health integration, asked whether testing would still be made available for care homes and other key groups, such as schools, but was told an announcement on this had not been made yet. There was also no information about any free testing for care and education settings.

Public health consultant Victoria Turner said:

“I think it’s fair to say that is the one we are going to be looking at most closely. We are expecting care guidance coming out next week as well on this.

“From what was said in February we expect there to be some symptomatic testing remaining for care home staff but that’s about as detailed a picture as we get at the moment. Care homes are going to be the one area we still have a particular focus on from April 1.

“We are still seeing quite a lot of outbreaks in care settings, or rather whenever there’s a high degree of community transmission there’s an inevitability that that does affect care settings as well.

“We were hoping that we could have done some of that planning before April 1 but unfortunately the guidance just isn’t out yet.”

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The outbreak management advisory board, which was set up to recommend on the county’s covid response and communications, has also been stood down. It had been meeting monthly but members agreed there was little need to continue as national restrictions were removed.

However, the group said it will remain in abeyance, rather than being disbanded, so it can be brought back into action if required, such as with the emergence of a new variant.

Infection rate almost trebles this month

At present, cases are still rising, though at a slower rate than previously.

The Harrogate district’s infection rate, which was 343 per 100,000 people at the start of the month, is now at 923.

Hospitalisations are also rising at a slower rate, with 30 patients with covid currently being treated at Harrogate District Hospital.

Deaths among people who have tested positive for covid within the last 28 days remain steady, at an average of one each day across North Yorkshire.

Richard Webb, corporate director of health and adult services, said:

“Many of us are continuing to work on the impact of acute and long-term covid in many different ways.”

Meanwhile, covid vaccination centres are preparing to begin giving spring booster jabs to over-75s, and vulnerable children aged between five and 11 in the county are now being given their first doses.

Bettys and Taylors Family Fund is inviting parish councils and schools to apply for grants of up to £5,000.

The fund supports Yorkshire-based groups working to improve the lives of local children and young people through food.

Cookery courses, healthy eating initiatives and food hygiene are examples of the kind of schemes eligible for funding.

Grants range from £500 to £5,000 and must benefit people living in Yorkshire.

Parish councils and schools are eligible to apply providing the grant is used for purposes outside their usual remit.

As Bettys and Taylors is a food and hospitality business, the fund aims to support local food-based projects.

The fund opened for applications this week and closes on April 28. Groups will find out by mid-June if they have been successful.

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Cars could be banned on streets directly outside many schools at drop-off and pick-up times to improve safety, encourage active travel and cut pollution.

North Yorkshire County Council looks set to examine the impacts of the Department Of Transport-backed School Streets initiative over 18 months, just weeks after ratifying a new 20mph zone policy, under which the authority has undertaken to scrutinise where it could lower speed limits outside schools.

While the move followed years of pressure from road safety campaigners calling for blanket 20mph zones across all built-up areas in the county, the authority has insisted such action would not be suitable everywhere.

The authority’s executive member for access, Cllr Don Mackenzie, said it hoped if a Safer Streets pilot outside Seamer and Irton Community Primary School was successful, that the initiative would complement the council’s 20mph zone policy.

The trial would involve the school placing a ‘Road Closed’ sign across the road by the school at the appropriate times.

However, an officer’s report on the proposal states while North Yorkshire Police would be responsible for enforcing road closures, the force had advised that “it is supportive of School Streets, but could not resource enforcement”.

The council officer’s report states:

“An appropriately applied scheme should minimise the risk of regular contravention and enforcement issues.”

It states the trial will be judged on whether it has led to an increase in active travel, cut traffic speeds and volumes in the area and the impact on the surrounding community and environment, but it was anticipated Schools Streets would not be appropriate for the majority of locations.

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The move comes weeks after a Transport for London study of 300 established School Streets found most people believed the vehicle bans had pushed congestion and parking issues elsewhere, while the lack of enforcement created safety concerns.

Coun Mackenzie said introducing restrictions in front of schools could displace parking problems elsewhere, but added:

“I would rather have the problem removed from in front of schools because that is an area that deserves more protection than any other.”

“We fully appreciate, and I personally understand, why the police have areas of greater concern to them to enforce than 20mph limits. In North Yorkshire we have very very few road traffic incidents involving injury in our built-up areas where there is a 30mph limit.

“We’re looking at other interventions to improve safety outside schools, to persuade people not to park in front of schools, or even worse, to drop their children off and leave the engine running.

“If this pilot is successful we will look to introduce it in many other locations in front of schools.”

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe said decisions on how North Yorkshire Police enforced any restrictions put in place were operational ones for the chief constable and her team.

She said:

“North Yorkshire Police will always prioritise those areas where there is greatest risk to road users and will deliver on road safety enforcement activity where appropriate with partners.

“Once decisions are made by the county council, I am sure all groups and organisations in the York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership will come together to discuss how any School Streets projects can be implemented and supported as part of the wider delivery of the recently published Safer Roads Strategy.”