Some of the York and North Yorkshire mayoral candidates will take part in a climate change-focussed hustings next week.

The event, which is being held by climate action charity Zero Carbon Harrogate, will invite the candidates to put forward their environmental policies and discuss the actions they propose to take.

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister (Liberal Democrat), Keith Tordoff (Independent) and Paul Haslam (Independent) have agreed to speak at the event, and later take questions from the audience.

Zero Carbon Harrogate told the Stray Ferret Green Party candidate Kevin Foster was unable to attend due to a “personal commitment”, but Arnold Warneken , the Green councillor for Ouseburn, would represent him.

Tory candidate Keane Duncan and Labour candidate David Skaith both have “other campaigning commitments”, the charity said, but added they have been invited to send a representative in their place.

Zero Carbon Harrogate today said in a press release:

“The hope is that the hustings will provide mayoral candidates with a constructive opportunity to engage with local residents and business people around the climate agenda.

“This is a new departure in electoral terms, placing new powers in the hands of single successful candidate.  It’s a great opportunity to hear the views of those who wish to serve the public good in this way.”

The organisation, which is part of the North Yorkshire Climate Coalition, hopes to work with elected representatives and campaign for effective climate change policies.

It works towards transitioning to a net zero economy, cleaner travel and warmer homes.

The hustings will take place on Wednesday, April 17, at 7.30pm.

It will be held at the Wesley Chapel in Harrogate and the charity said anyone is welcome.

People must register to attend and can submit any questions to candidates here.

The mayoral election will take place on Thursday May 2.

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Campaigners are to stage a protest at an event held by Harrogate Spring Water this week to discuss its expansion plans.

The company, which is part of French multinational Danone, revealed revised plans this month to expand its bottling plant off Harlow Moor Road. This would involve felling 450 trees planted by schoolchildren in nearby Rotary Wood to combat climate change.

Harrogate Spring Water has said it has a contractual agreement with a landowner to buy two acres of land and plant 1,200 saplings to offset the impact if its planning application is accepted. It claims this would lead to a net biodiversity gain on the site.

About 25 people opposed to the felling of trees attended a Save Rotary Wood event in Harrogate yesterday.

One of the children who planted the trees was among those attending, along with members of Zero Carbon Harrogate and Pinewoods Conservation Group, a North Yorkshire councillor and concerned individuals.

Activist Sarah Gibbs said she would protest in her tree costume at the public consultation event, which takes place at the Crown Hotel in Harrogate from 4pm to 7pm on Thursday.

Yesterday’s meeting also discussed developing a long-term strategy to save the trees and heard concerns about the wider impact development would have on the environment and Harrogate’s reputation.

Among the issues raised were more lorries using the site, whether greater water extraction would affect local water supply and the possibility of further expansion at the site.

Jessica Eaton, of Zero Carbon Harrogate, said:

“Where does it stop? And do we want Harrogate to be associated with plastic bottles? I’m fairly sure most people in Harrogate support us.”

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Arnold Warneken, the Green Party councillor for Ouseburn, said campaigners should focus on valid planning reasons for refusal.

One attendee described direct action as a “last resort” but “not inconceivable”.

Harrogate Spring Water already has outline planning permission, which means the principle of development has been established. It is now preparing a reserved matters planning application, which would agree the details.

Richard Hall, managing director of Harrogate Spring Water, said previously the company believed its revised plans addressed previous concerns and “create a way forward together for the local community and for ourselves as a growing Harrogate business”.

He added:

“We would like people to come and see for themselves what we have planned and how we aim to carry it out.”

Anyone who cannot come along on the day will still be able to see the plans and have their say here.

The Harrogate Bus Company is introducing a two-for-one travel deal on Fridays as part of a campaign to persuade motorists to cut emissions.

The scheme, which begins in two days, enables two people to travel using a Harrogate one-day ticket costing £5.70

The bus company said today it was supporting the charity Zero Carbon Harrogate’s car-free Friday initiative, which relaunches on Friday this week.

Zero Carbon Harrogate is inviting motorists to sign up online to a pledge to leave their cars at home at least one day a week.

Paul Turner, commercial director of the Harrogate Bus Company, which plans to convert its entire Harrogate fleet to zero-emission electric power next year, said:

“As well as the benefit to our local environment, choosing the bus makes sense in lots more ways – it’s a lot less stressful than driving, and with a full day’s travel anywhere for two people travelling together within Harrogate, Knaresborough, Wetherby and as far as Harewood and Ripley on the 36 at only £5.70 on Car Free Fridays, it’s a lot cheaper than driving into town and paying for parking.”

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Cars make up an estimated 49 per cent of total emissions in the Harrogate district – a percentage that remained almost static over the 10 years prior to the pandemic, while emissions produced by generating power for homes fell by 26.5 per cent over the same period.

Jemima Parker, chair of Zero Carbon Harrogate, said:

“We all know congestion has returned to Harrogate’s roads following the pandemic – and cars are one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions in our town.

“That’s why we are bringing back our Car Free Fridays campaign, and inviting drivers to sign a pledge to leave the car at home. Doing so will improve air quality for everyone, while walking to the bus stop can also boost our own physical and mental health.”

The deal is available on all Harrogate Bus Company services in and around Harrogate and Knaresborough, plus routes 7 and 8 as far as Wetherby, and the 36 north as far as Ripley and south as far as Harewood.

The trustees of Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition have agreed to dissolve the organisation and continue its work through Zero Carbon Harrogate.

The coalition was set up by Harrogate Borough Council in 2019 to bring together businesses, local government and the voluntary sector and become an independent charity in 2021.

A statement today announcing the news said it would “help take the district closer to achieving a carbon net zero future”.

Several coalition trustees, including chair Danny Wild, the principal of Harrogate College, have become trustees of Zero Carbon Harrogate.

Jemima Parker, founder and chair of Zero Carbon Harrogate, said:

“This is a really exciting development for both charities and for the future of Harrogate. By coming together we can make a bigger impact in everything we do and help take the district closer to a net zero future.

“The scientific evidence is clear; we must act now to prevent the worst effects of climate change.”

Mr Wild said the move would “create a stronger voice on climate change for Harrogate”, adding:

“All trustees believe that through collaboration we can achieve more thorough local activity and be a stronger voice in North Yorkshire.

“I’m looking forward to working with ZCH over the next 12 months, as we look deliver activities that lead to a more sustainable future.”

Coalition’s short existence

The coalition had a short but rocky existence.

Set up by Harrogate Borough Council, it was rocked by the resignation in 2021 of Pat Marsh, the leader of Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, who claimed the group had been ‘plagued by inaction’.

The organisation said its acquisition of charitable status later that year put it in a strong position to “accelerate action and increase its local impact”.

This was borne out when it organised Harrogate’s first climate action festival, which included a business conference at Harrogate Convention Centre.

The coalition had 12 trustees, including representatives of Harrogate Borough Council, which ceased to exist on April 1 this year.

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is a breakfast event on Thursday, 27 July at Banyan in Harrogate between 8-10am. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Tickets will be available later this week.

A Harrogate builders’ merchants is supporting an online training course to teach builders about retrofitting homes.

GH Brooks is hosting a sign-up event at its branch on Claro Road to help the initiative to make buildings more energy efficient.

The course is being launched by the charity Zero Carbon Harrogate on July 7 between 7am and 11am.

It is designed to help prepare the local building trade for home retrofit specifications.

John Kerr, Zero Carbon Harrogate’s retrofit programme manager, said: 

“We are so pleased that GH Brooks are helping us spread the word about retrofit and the free training we have on offer.  

“A big part of retrofitting homes is supported by good suppliers like them and supporting their customers. We really hope that the local building trades take advantage of this training, preparing them for both demand from homeowners and new legislation in home efficiency measures.”

For more information on how to sign up for the online course, visit the Zero Carbon Harrogate website here.

Rudding Park wins at industry award ceremony

Rudding Park Hotel and Spa has won an award at the annual Good Spa Guide awards.

The spa, which is based on Rudding Lane, picked up the best spa for the eco conscious award.

The ceremony was held at the Spa Life Convention in Gloucestershire on July 3.

Sarah Johnson, Rudding Park head of Spa, collecting the award with members of her team; Lorraine Kennedy, Emma Sorby and Megan Ainsworth.

Rudding Park was one of eight finalists, which also included The Spa at Carden Park and Swinton Country Club & Spa.

Sarah Johnson head of Rudding Park Spa said:

“As a responsible business the environment and sustainability is a key focus for us combined with ensuring we provide guests with an exceptional spa experience.

“Offering guests something new and embracing our natural environment is really important, so we are absolutely thrilled to have won the award for the best spa for the eco conscious.”