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 This is the June edition of Residents' News
All adults can now book their Covid-19 jab. If you’re aged 18 or over, visit the NHS website to book yours.
In this edition of Residents' News, you’ll find out about:
- Latest Coronavirus guidance
- Creating habitats for pollinators
- New swimming pool in Ripon
- Harrogate Street Aid
- Summer plants now available
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Coronavirus: Latest guidance
The government has announced a four-week pause at Step 3 until 19 July.
Step 3 restrictions remain in place and you should follow the guidance on the government website, which explains what you can and cannot do.
The rules on weddings and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions changed on 21 June. As the number of people who can attend is determined by how many people a venue can safely accommodate, you are advised to follow the government’s guidance.
The rules on care home visits also changed on this date and there is further information online.
It is expected that England will move to Step 4 on 19 July, although the data will be continuously reviewed. In the meantime, please continue to follow the rules that apply and stay safe.
Remember – Hands, face, space
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Creating habitats for pollinators
You may have noticed that some areas of the Harrogate district are being left to grow and not mown.
This is great news for wildlife as the longer grass and wildflowers provide food and homes for pollinating insects, as well as supporting our carbon reduction goals.
As well as leaving areas to grow and encourage biodiversity, we have also planted – with the help of volunteers – more than 5,000 wildflower plugs on the Stray in Harrogate.
Collectively, these biodiversity areas will provide habitats and green corridors for pollinators that play a key role in sustaining the flora and fauna across the district.
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New swimming pool in Ripon takes shape
The multi-million pound investment project at Ripon Leisure Centre is progressing well as work to install the swimming pool takes shape.
Once complete, the facility will provide a new six-lane 25 metre pool, modern changing rooms, sauna suite, an extended gym, new activity and spin studios, meeting facilities as well as refurbishment of the existing leisure centre.
The new pool offers a 70 per cent increase in water space compared to the ageing Ripon Spa Baths, that will no longer be required.
The sale, and redevelopment of the spa baths, will give this local listed building a new lease of life (subject to planning approval), retain key features and remain as a city landmark.
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Knaresborough Swimming Pool update
While on the subject of swimming pools, Knaresborough is set to open in July ahead of the school summer holidays.
The pool has been closed during the last year due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, as well as an issue with the existing pool filters.
We had appointed a specialist contractor based in Spain to repair the filters but, due to the continued travel restrictions, we decided to replace the existing filters rather than face further delays.
Following an extensive amount of work to accommodate the new filters, they have now been installed and the pool is being prepared for opening.
Keep an eye on the Knaresborough Swimming Pool Facebook page for further information.
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Enjoy some proper shopping at your local market
Why not experience the buzz of your local outdoor market and buy from local independent traders?
From gifts, household items, fashion and food, there’s plenty of high quality products and produce at great prices.
Knaresborough market takes place every Wednesday between 7.30am and 3pm, while Ripon is every Thursday between the same times. Ripon also hosts a smaller Saturday morning market between 7.30am and 2pm.
Both markets are set within traditional market squares with nearby transport links.
You can find out more on our website.
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Let us help you get Fit4Life
Fit4Life is a free 12-week weight management programme run by our friendly team of health and exercise experts.
They support you every step of the way with healthy eating advice and physical activity classes. You can also get access to our swimming pools and Brimhams fitness centres.
There's more information about the eligibility criteria on our website but you need to be aged 18 or over and have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above. If you are from an ethnic minority or you have hypertension, diabetes, cardiac or respiratory problems, your BMI can be 25 or above.
You'll also need to live, work or be registered with a GP in the Harrogate district to join the programme and commit to all 12-weeks.
Find out more on the Fit4Life website page.
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Harrogate Street Aid
Thank you for the continued support you’ve given to Harrogate Street Aid.
Every donation helps someone turn a corner to get off, and stay off, the streets. Giving money directly to those on the street may actually be keeping them there.
You can donate by using the contactless tap terminal at Marks and Spencer on Oxford Street in Harrogate. Each tap with your card will donate £3.
All donations go towards grants that will bring about real change and provide long-term help to individuals faced with homelessness.
For more information, or to donate online, please visit the Harrogate Street Aid website.
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Give your home a warm hug
We're offering grant-funded insulation for low-income households across the district through our Home Upgrade Grant (HUG).
HUG funding is available to you whether you own or privately rent* your home (subject to terms and conditions).
You can use the HUG for loft insulation, draft proofing or cavity wall insulation.
If you own your home, the entire cost of the works will be covered by the grant and a maximum of £5,000 is available for improvements if you rent your home from a landlord.
We're offering HUGs in partnership with our colleagues at City of York, Selby and Craven district councils through the Better Homes Yorkshire initiative.
You'll find more information on its website.
*You'll need your landlord’s permission to carry out any work if you are in private rented accommodation.
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Summer plants now available
We still have summer plants for sale at our horticultural nursery in Harrogate.
We're open Monday to Friday from 9am until 4pm and Saturday, Sunday and on bank holidays from 10am until 4pm.
We currently have geraniums, French marigolds, begonias, fuchsias and strawberry hanging baskets, petunias and nicotiana.
This year we're growing more plants for pollinators as these will help wild bees and other pollinators which are crucial for maintaining our plant diversity.
We also offer a small selection of herbs and a variety of plant pots, gifts, compost, bark and manure.
You can shop online using our click and collect service which is available from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday or request a delivery* to your home in the district.
You can find us on Nursery Lane East, off Harlow Moor Road (please use the postcode HG2 0FH on your sat nav).
*delivery is only available for orders over £5.
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Gigabit broadband voucher scheme
The government is providing help for people experiencing slow broadband speeds in rural areas.
As part of the UK Gigabit Broadband Voucher scheme, grants of up to £1,500 for households and up to £3,500 for businesses, are available for some of the hardest to reach rural areas to support the cost of installing a new gigabit-capable connection.
To qualify, you must be in a rural area, have available broadband speeds of less than 100Mbps and be part of a group project (two or more premises).
You can check whether you are eligible by visiting the gigabit voucher website.
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Speakers wanted for climate action festival
Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition is looking for local organisations and businesses to exhibit or speak at the first climate action festival in October.
The event is a great opportunity to share best practice, display your achievements in the green economy or showcase changes you are making to limit climate change.
Visit the Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition website to find out more.
The coalition are also looking for young people to take part in their competition around being climate friendly. You can enter a poster, poem, podcast or video and entries must be submitted by 20 September. Visit the coalition website to find out more.
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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, flexi-time and a range of other benefits.
We're always looking for new people to join the team. We currently have the following vacancies:
- Farming in protected landscapes officer
- Business development officer
- Lifeguard (various full-time and part-time positions available)
- Casual loader
- Project support officer
Visit our jobs page to find out more about working for us and all the latest opportunities.
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