Hello from Harrogate Borough Council

But first… It would be amiss of us not to reflect on the passing of our country's longest-serving Monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

As a mark of respect, union flags across the Harrogate district were lowered to half-mast and a book of condolence was opened at the civic centre in Harrogate. 

Thank you if you were able to find the time to sign the book, which will now be archived for future reflection. Flowers left at the Cenotaph have also now been removed to be turned into compost.

As chairman of the borough council and first citizen of the Borough of Harrogate, our Mayor – Councillor Victoria Oldham – issued the message below on news of Her Majesty's death.

She also led the formal proclamation ceremony to announce our new King, Charles III. You can watch the reading of the proclamation on our website.

"It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

"Her Majesty The Queen has been a constant source of courage and inspiration throughout the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and across the world.

"Throughout her 70-year reign, she has touched so many of our lives and led us through many dark but also many positive times.

"On behalf of everyone across the Harrogate district, I would like to offer our deepest condolences and sympathy to the Royal Family during this time.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with you all."

Harrogate Borough Mayor Councillor Victoria Oldham

On 1 April 2023, North Yorkshire Council will replace the eight councils currently delivering public services in North Yorkshire.

Over the next few months, the council will be holding the biggest county-wide conversation North Yorkshire has ever seen to find out which issues are most important to you, and how they can best support you and your community.

The conversation will start with Let's Talk… Local, looking at what's important to you in your local area, and what you think about the proposed community networks. Teams from the council will be visiting your communities at the places you visit and socialise, like libraries and street markets, to find out which local issues are most important to you.

Later in the autumn, they will be asking for your views to help shape the budget for the council, as well as the proposed devolution deal for York and North Yorkshire.

Visit the Let's Talk website to share your views online, and find out where your local conversations are taking place.

In April we adopted our revised Carbon Reduction Strategy.

We recognise the urgency of tackling climate change, and this action plan will help us work towards our goal of becoming net-zero carbon by 2038.

Plans include improving sustainable travel infrastructure, offering energy efficiency schemes for residents, reducing emissions across our operations, planting thousands of trees across the district and installing the latest energy efficiency measure at our facilities.

As part of our multi-million-pound leisure investment scheme, the Hydro in Harrogate will run completely on electricity through the use of air source heat pumps and 420 solar panels. 

These energy efficiency measures come following our successful bid for a £2.8million grant through the government's public sector decarbonisation scheme, and are anticipated to half the carbon footprint of the leisure centre.

The new facility in Knaresborough will also incorporate high-efficiency building materials, air source heat pumps and solar panels to reduce the carbon footprint.

We'll have further news on these schemes in future editions of Residents' News.

We know times are hard at the moment as day-to-day costs go up and will continue to do so for some time.

There is local support available to you if your financial situation has changed and you need help with household payments, debts or living costs.

We've launched a new website page that lists financial help and support available from ourselves and our partners. As well as advice on keeping warm and making your home as energy efficient as possible.

If you require support for any of our services and wish to speak to someone you can call us on 01423 500600.

A useful leaflet produced by Northern Powergrid, Northern Gas Networks and Yorkshire Water has been produced to show you how to save money on your electricity, gas and water, as well as how to reduce waste and stay safe at home this winter.

The Energy Savings Trust also has information on how to reduce your carbon emissions and lower your energy bills. So, whether that involves being more energy efficient, generating your own renewable energy, switching to a green tariff or insulating your home to keep the heat in, they've got advice and information to help.

We are working with E.ON to deliver an energy efficiency scheme to provide targeted support for homes across the Harrogate district.

Eligible homeowners can access free government funding to improve their home by installing energy-saving products – such as wall insulation, solar panels and air source heat pumps – which will help reduce energy bills and make your home more energy efficient.

Eligibility requirements:

• You own your own home
• Your home has an Energy Performance Rating (EPC) of D, E, F, or G
• Your household income is less than £30,000 or someone living in your home receives one or more means-tested benefits

For more information and to check your eligibility, visit the E.ON Green Homes Grant website. Alternatively, you can call E.ON on 0333 2024820 to see if you're eligible.

Zero Carbon Harrogate – an independent charitable organisation, committed to helping the Harrogate district achieve net zero by 2035 – are inviting local residents to share information about the energy efficiency of their homes.

The survey is part of the Zero Carbon Harrogate's Home Retrofit Programme, which is designed to help homeowners across the district reduce their carbon footprint, through making their homes more energy efficient, warmer, and healthier.

The programme seeks to ensure the required skills are embedded in the district's building industry, through a comprehensive fully-funded training programme, in partnership with Harrogate College.

Retrofit refers to the design and installation of energy saving measures in homes, making them warmer and reducing CO2 emissions. Retrofit can include all forms of home insulation, replacement windows and doors, draft proofing, upgraded ventilation and the installation of alternative low carbon forms of heating.

To find out more about Zero Carbon Harrogate's Retrofit Programme visit their website or email: retrofit@zerocarbonharrogate.org.uk.

Information on courses available can be found on the Harrogate College website (search for (FCR) Retrofit Awareness).

Earlier this month, the new prime minister announced plans to help reduce the cost of energy with a freeze to the cap on the price of gas and electricity.

It's called the Energy Support Scheme and could stop bills rising higher than £3,300 for the average detached property.

The cap is not a maximum limit on the price you will pay but it will restrict unit costs. You’ll still be billed for all the energy you use as well as a daily standing charge. 

The exact benefit to each household will depend on the type of property, what fuel is used and the energy tariff.

The government has published further details of how the scheme will work. 

We have been working with our colleagues at North Yorkshire County Council and Connected Kerb to install and manage new public electric vehicle (EV) charging across the Harrogate district.

Through our successful Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) bid, some 99 new charging points will be installed across the district. These include 59 in Harrogate, 22 in Knaresborough, 10 in Ripon, four in Masham and four in Pateley Bridge.

We will also be installing new charging points at the Hydro and Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre, as part of their redevelopments. These will add to charging points already provided at council locations such as the civic centre and Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre in Ripon.

We are aware of the demand for on-street charging points so we are exploring our options with the county council and have recently secured £238,000 to increase the number of charging points available in residential car parks to support the uptake of electric vehicles by households with no off-street parking.

We'll have further news in the coming months!

Next week (3 October to 9 October) marks liftshare week.

Liftshare enables organised car sharing by connecting people travelling in the same direction so they can arrange to travel together.

There are many benefits to car sharing such as saving money, reducing CO2 emissions, and cutting congestion and air pollution.

We have partnered with Liftshare to provide a platform where residents can connect and share lifts.

Join the community of almost 2,000 members of Harrogate Car Share and sign up today to start reaping the benefits of car sharing.

Co Wheels provides a fleet of hybrid cars for pay-as-you-go hire around the town for short (as little as half an hour) or long-term bookings (up to a week).

Each car has its own designated zone and comes with a parking permit which allows parking anywhere in this area thanks to support from North Yorkshire County Council. Insurance, cleaning, servicing and refuelling are all included in the cost too. A van is also available for hire as part of the club.

The club is helping to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality across the district by reducing the number of cars in their household as well as the dependency of owning your own car. Members have suggested that they have saved around £3,000 a year due to lifestyle changes influenced by using the car club.

You can book online, through an app or over the phone. And once your membership is confirmed, your membership card allows you to access any Co Wheels vehicle in the UK.

To join or find out more, visit the Harrogate Co-wheel website.

Are you looking for an opportunity to earn while you learn and gain the qualifications needed to start a successful career in the construction industry?

LABC, the membership organisation that works on behalf of local authority building control, is seeking new recruits to join its trainee building control surveyor programme, with opportunities across the country.

The 3-year programme provides the opportunity to learn on the job and gain a level 4 and level 5 diploma in building control surveying, with funding for level 6 learning (degree level) once in permanent employment with a local authority.

Throughout the programme, you'll earn a competitive salary and on completion, you'll have the skills and qualifications required to progress to become a fully qualified chartered surveyor or building engineer.

For more information, visit the LABC website or application page.

There is now more time to comment on proposals for a new town council for Harrogate.

The idea has been put forward because parts of Harrogate, as well as Scarborough, are the only major towns in North Yorkshire not to have a parish or town council.

If there is support, it would bring them into line with other parts of the county where some local services are provided by town and parish councils. Money to pay for town and parish councils is collected through the council tax system and residents in areas with one are charged an additional levy (called a precept).

Residents are currently being asked whether Harrogate should have a town council, known as a community governance review.

You can complete the consultation online or printed copies can be found in:

• Harrogate Library, Victoria Avenue, HG1 1EG
• Bilton and Woodfield Community Library, Woodfield Road, HG1 4HZ
• Civic Centre, St Lukes Avenue, HG1 2AE

Please have your say, the survey is now open until Friday 14 October.

A scheme to improve the security of hundreds of homes and farms in areas of Harrogate and Craven opened earlier this month. 

More than £700,000 is being invested through the national Safer Streets Fund, and administered by the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, to prevent burglary and protect individuals, families and businesses. 

Following a security survey, upgrades include new locks for vulnerable doors, windows, garages and sheds, and alarm systems for farms and small holdings. For homes with suitable Wi-Fi coverage, the scheme also includes a video doorbell.

Free security surveys and upgrades are available to homes and farms in Allerton Mauleverer with Hopperton, Kirk Deighton, Kirk Hammerton, Leathley, Long Marston, North Deighton, Sicklinghall and Spofforth with Stockeld.

Eligible residents will receive a registration pack through the post over the next six weeks. 

Residents in these areas are also encouraged to sign up for the scheme online.

Michelin three-star chef Marco Pierre White returns to Harrogate where it all started 45 years ago for the Great White Food Festival (28 to 30 October). Joined by his family and friends including Pierre Koffmann, the celebrity chef will be cooking live on the stage of the Royal Hall, followed by a Q&A session each day. 

The Series Three Tour of RuPaul’s Drag Race (16 October) will see finalists Kitty Scott-Claus, Krystal Versace, Vanity Milan and Ella Vaday rock the town with their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. 

Those with an adventurous spirit can catch critically acclaimed author and explorer Levison Wood as he takes to the stage for his third UK tour, The Art of Exploration (12 October).

As part of Harrogate Comedy Festival, Jon Richardson will make sure you laugh your socks off with his wildly funny show, The Knitwit (21 October). 

Music lovers will be in for a feast this month with Freedom: The Music of George Michael (8 October) starring Joe McElderry; The Sound of Springsteen (23 October), which brings to the stage some of the greatest hits and deep cuts from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band; Howard Jones Acoustic Trio with Nick Beggs and Robin Boult (28 October) and the one and only Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra (5 November). 

Let's not forget the little ones. Grab your compass and join an intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a pre-historic Dinosaur World on 11 October. 

Thinking of an upgrade for your house? Check out the Northern Homebuilding and Renovating Show (4 to 6 November) for inspiration, new products, masterclasses and free expert advice. 

For details on more upcoming events at Harrogate Convention Centre and Royal Hall please visit the venue's website.

Step out for our new Creepy Castle Spooktastic Halloween trail this half-term at Knaresborough Castle and Museum grounds.

Along the way, you'll see wizard magic shows, spooky characters, face painting, stories in the castle and more spooky surprises. Tickets are just £3.75 per person (under 2's are free) and the trail is available from 3pm to 8pm on Thursday 27 October to Saturday 29 October.

Bookings can be made online online at: www.horticulturalnursery.com/events

Our local markets are open all year round and have an amazing range of fresh, local, quality products including food, plants, homeware and clothing. Enjoy the outdoor shopping experience and meet our friendly traders at Knaresborough market on Wednesdays and Ripon market on Thursdays and Saturdays. You can find out more on our website.

Enjoy exercising outdoors with a game of tennis in our parks. Our hard-surface courts are available to hire in Valley Gardens, Harrogate or Spa Park, Ripon during daylight hours throughout the year. For prices and bookings visit the Lawn Tennis Association website. 

Bring some brightness to your garden this autumn with bedding plants grown by our horticultural experts. There's a selection of vibrant violas and pretty pansies to choose from, along with other plants and gardening accessories. Our nursery shop in Harrogate is open every day or you can order online.

Our colleagues at Fostering North Yorkshire are looking for new foster carers to cover pre-planned short breaks for children and young people with a range of additional needs.

The support takes place in the homes of short break foster carers and gives children the opportunity to access new, positive experiences and meet new people.

Short breaks fostering could offer you the chance to foster for regular weekends or overnight stays to fit in with your own lifestyle or around your current job. You would experience the rewards of helping a child with a disability reach their full potential and know that you have given their family a much-needed rest.

To be a short break carer you need energy and enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference to the life of a local child. Resilience and patience are needed and possibly some experience of caring for children with additional needs, though training can be provided.

In return, Fostering North Yorkshire offers ongoing support and training along with generous financial allowances.

To find out more about short break fostering, visit the county council's website.

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:

• Civil enforcement officer (Craven)
• Civil enforcement officer (Selby)
• Lifeguard
• Mechanical sweeper driver
• Therapist

Visit our jobs page to find out more about working for us and all the latest opportunities.