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This is your latest edition of Residents' News
Thursday 24 September 2020
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This is the latest edition of Residents' News
We’re facing new national coronavirus restrictions outlined this week but local public health experts are asking us to go further to deal with a spike in cases in North Yorkshire. Please read the full story below about what is happening in our county.
For several weeks, gatherings of more than six people are now against the law and could be punishable with a fine. The rules are explained in full on the government website.
We all have a responsibility to do everything we can to minimise the risk of the virus spreading. This means you need to:
- Wash your hands, for 20 seconds, on a regular basis
- Wear a face covering when you are required to( and in enclosed spaces generally)
- Make space by socially distancing and keeping at least a metre apart from other people
The symptoms of the coronavirus are a new, continuous cough (this is where you cough a lot in an hour or have several coughing episodes), a fever (where your temperature goes above 37.8 degrees) and a loss of smell or taste.
If you – or someone you live with – has these symptoms you, or they, must immediately self-isolate at home to stop the risk of spreading the virus to other people.
There’s more information on the NHS website including how to arrange a Covid-19 test.
The new NHS Covid-19 app went live today. Please consider downloading it.
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Coronavirus: dealing with local clusters of new cases
You may have seen in media reports that a major incident has supposedly been declared in North Yorkshire.
That’s not true, but we are working very closely with our public health colleagues at county level to respond to a rise in confirmed cases across North Yorkshire and in our district.
There is also evidence of rising community transmission and infections affecting residents and staff in care homes.
Public health experts in our county are asking we take additional measures over and above the national regulations.
One is to wear a face covering whenever you leave your house even when, and where, the law does not require you to do so.
It could go a long way to minimise Covid-19 being spread further.
Our district will remain safe if we only pull together to do everything possible to minimise the spread of the virus.
If we are complacent, we risk local lockdowns like we’ve seen in other parts of the country.
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Cultural and community facilities open once again
We are delighted to confirm that the Royal Pump Room Museum in Harrogate is open once again and welcoming visitors.
In line with most venues across the country, measures are in place to keep everyone safe and numbers are being limited. All visits to the museum must be booked in advance. Visitors will also have to wear a face covering when on site.
Knaresborough and Jennyfield Styan community centres have also been reopened for use by local groups. Limited activities and classes are taking place. We hope the Mercer Art Gallery will reopen in November.
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Don’t be ‘rubbish’, be ‘amazing’, when it comes to litter
We know the majority of people across the district care for the place they live and would never even think about dropping litter.
Sadly, not everyone is so conscientious, so that’s why we’re targeting areas in Boroughbridge, Knaresborough, Ripon and Harrogate where littering is a problem.
We hope our new ‘you’re rubbish’ signs will prompt people to do the right thing and use one of the many bins we have in all public spaces, or, take their rubbish home with them.
As a way of acknowledging everyone who does put their litter in a bin, we’ve designed another poster to say ‘thank you’.
We spend around £300,000 a year clearing litter and it doesn’t seem fair to us that your council tax should pay for people who don’t understand that the ground is not a bin.
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Delays to land charge searches
You’ll know that buying a home is one of the most stressful things you’ll ever do.
That’s why we wanted to explain – and apologise for - delays we’re experiencing with getting land charge searches returned.
These searches have to be carried out by the buyer when they purchase a house or business premises. The process is usually managed by a solicitor.
Now that many legal firms are open for business once again after lockdown, there has been a huge surge in search requests we’ve received. This compares to a trickle in recent months.
We’re working through them as quickly as we can, but our seven-day turnaround time is currently extended to 24 days.
We’re very grateful for your patience and understanding as we get things back on track
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Have your say about plans for the Otley Road cycle way
We’re working with colleagues at the county council to improve transport infrastructure in the west of Harrogate.
These improvements include smart traffic lights, improvements to the junction of Harlow Moor Road and Otley Road, a new off-road cycle route on Otley Road and new or improved pedestrian crossings.
Part of the cycle route intends to use existing verges that are designated as Stray land, so a formal public consultation is required.
The Stray Act requires that any land that is used must be exchanged for land that is equivalent in size and no more than 100 metres from the Stray.
Therefore, we’re asking for your views on three options for exchange land that have been identified. The three options include land at Wetherby Road (rear of the hospital), St James Drive verges or Arthurs Avenue verges.
There’s information about the project on our website where you can also have your say and add your comments on the proposals.
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Families move into new affordable homes
Three families are settling into new homes we’ve built in Angram and Spofforth.
The moving in date had to put back because of the initial coronavirus lockdown, but our construction teams were able to get back on site in May.
Next month we’ll take ownership of five new-build properties on a development in Summerbridge which we will offer out as social rented homes.
Meanwhile, work to construct the new temporary accommodation for homeless people and those with a priority need in Starbeck has started again.
The facility is on course to open in January next year.
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Autumn bedding plant sale
You can now buy autumn bedding plants grown by our experts from our horticultural nursery.
There’s a good selection of violas and polyanthus plants along with a range of gardening accessories including planters, containers and compost.
The nursery shop is open Monday to Thursday 9am to 3pm and Friday 9am until 12noon. Please note we can only accept credit/debit card payments.
If you would prefer, you can now pre-order your plants before you visit using our click and collect service.
You’ll find our nursery on Nursery Lane East, off Harlow Moor Road in Harrogate (please use the postcode HG2 0FH).
Have your say about our horticultural nursery
We’d love to get some feedback on your experience as a customer. We’ve set up a short survey on the Have Your Saypage on our website so you can add your comments. Thanks!
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Annual election check canvassers pound the pavements
In a July edition of Residents’ News, we ran a story on the annual election checks we have to carry out to make sure the electoral register is up to date.
For many electors, no action was required.
Where we found a discrepancy between our records and those held by the government, we wrote to the household.
Not everyone responded, so we now have a team of canvassers out and about across the district knocking on doors at homes where we need to check information.
Every canvasser will have ID for you to check. They’ll be wearing high-viz and a visor.
If you’re unsure if someone is genuine, you’re welcome to give our customer services team a call on 01423 500600 so you can check their credentials.
Our canvassers won’t be offended if you ask to see their ID. Remember you should never let anyone into your home unless they can prove who they are.
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Scam alert: please take note
We’re aware that some people across the district have received emails which appear to have come from our council tax team.
It seems scammers are exploiting the current coronavirus pandemic by sending out official-looking messages to try and steal personal information.
We’ve not sent any council tax emails, so if you receive something, it’s likely to be fake.
Separately, we’re also aware of reports of fake Covid-19 inspections of business premises across the district. These are being carried by someone from the council.
When challenged by one business owner, the person couldn’t produce any ID and left.
Our staff all have identity cards and won’t be offended if you ask to see it. If you’re ever unsure about the authenticity of a member of staff or an email, please give our customer services team a call on 01423 500600.
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Support the district’s good causes by playing THE LOCAL LOTTO
There are thousands of charities in the UK, and with so many worthy causes, it can be difficult to choose which ones you should donate to.
THE LOCAL LOTTO for the Harrogate district gives you the chance to support dozens of charities working in your local communities.
There are now over 100 good causes signed up to THE LOCAL LOTTO all generating a monthly income from their ticket sales.
You can support a local good cause from as little as £1 a week* and you could win a cash prize along the way! Find out how it works and sign up on the lottery website.
If you are charity or community group, you should consider signing up to benefit from a monthly income.
*You need to be 16 or over to play.
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White Rose Forest project
We have pledged to plant thousands of trees, as part of the White Rose Forest project, to reduce carbon emissions and improve woodland cover.
The trees will be planted at three locations between Harrogate and Knaresborough. These include Bilton Beck Wood, Willow Wood and Upper Horse Shoe Fields.
A large proportion of the district is occupied by agricultural land and would therefore be unsuitable or challenging for tree planting. That’s why we’ve identified three areas we’re responsible for that would benefit from this project.
The White Rose Forest project is a local council partnership across the Leeds city region which aims to increase tree cover by a third in this area of Yorkshire.
We are still in the early stages but we’ll have more news in the coming months about the type of trees that will be planted and how community groups can get involved.
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Come and join Team Harrogate!
We think Harrogate Borough Council is a fantastic place to work, but then we’re slightly biased!
As well as amazing colleagues, we offer competitive salaries and a range of other benefits
Right now, we’re recruiting:
- A gardener to work with our parks and environmental services team
- A customer services officer
- A maintenance operative within the housing and property team
Please visit our jobs page for all our latest opportunities.
We look forward to receiving your application.
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