Tributes have been paid to Councillor Margaret Atkinson who sadly passed away earlier this month.

Councillor Atkinson represented the Fountains and Ripley ward for Harrogate Borough Council and the Masham and Fountains division for North Yorkshire County Council. She was also the last ever chair of the county council before it is replaced by a new unitary authority next year.

Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said: "It was such a shock to learn of the sudden passing of Margaret.

"It is hard to imagine the council without her unfailing cheerfulness. She was just the kind of person who lifted a room somehow.

"I know too that she was admired and respected in the communities she represented, a real champion of the farming community.

"The thoughts of all her colleagues are with her husband Mike and their family."

She was a leading figure in the countryside, and was a semi-retired farmer and secretary of the Yorkshire and North-East branch of the British Charolais Cattle Society. As well as a member of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s joint advisory committee.

Councillor Atkinson, who lived in Kirkby Malzeard, leaves behind her husband, Michael, and three children and five grandchildren.

We would like to share our deepest condolences to Margaret's family and friends during this time.

Instead of exchanging Christmas cards or gifts this year, why not consider giving a small donation to a local community group or charity?

THE LOCAL LOTTO for the Harrogate district is a great fundraiser for local good causes. We currently have 113 local good causes signed up and selling tickets. Supporting a local cause through THE LOCAL LOTTO comes with the chance of winning prizes of £25,000, £2,000, £250, £25 or three free tickets*.

With 60p in every £1 lottery ticket going back into the local community to the local good cause of your choice. Visit THE LOCAL LOTTO website to find out more and sign-up.

*Players must be 16 years or over 

THE LOCAL FUND supports smaller local charities across the district that continue to provide support and activities to a range of groups and individuals. A grant from the fund means that they can focus on helping people and not worry about paying the rent and electricity bill, for example.

In the new year, they will be providing grants of up to £3,000 and this is only able to happen with your support and donations. If you would like to donate to THE LOCAL FUND, which helps local people where you live, then please visit their website. All donations are incredibly gratefully received no matter how small.

If you are a community group seeking funds, please visit the LOCAL FUND website for the latest funding opportunity and guidance. Closing date for applications is 9 January 2023.

The existing seven borough and district councils currently have their own hackney carriage and private hire licensing policies.

But ahead of the new council delivering all local services from 1 April, a consultation on a single Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for North Yorkshire Council has been launched.

A comprehensive review of the seven existing policies has been undertaken and although they have several things in common, there are differences in terms of applicant criteria, vehicle specification and procedures. The new policy seeks to ensure that the public continues to be provided with safe and accessible hackney carriage and private hire vehicles, as well as a coherent regulatory framework for the trade across the county.

It is proposed that the new council will operate one hackney carriage 'zone' for North Yorkshire. Providing drivers with the flexibility to operate across the county, encouraging environmental efficiencies and creating a wider distribution of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

This consultation allows anyone with an interest in taxis the opportunity to share their views and help shape the policy that will serve North Yorkshire Council.

For further information and to take part in the consultation, please visit the taxi consultation website page.

You may remember from previous editions of Residents' News, the new council for North Yorkshire has been holding a county-wide conversation to find out which issues are most important to you, and how they can best support you and your community.

The conversation started 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. If you haven't done so already, you can still share your views until 23 December.

The latest conversation is Let's Talk Money and is your opportunity to tell us which services you feel are most important before the new council's budget is agreed. It is also your chance to share your views about council tax, as well as putting forward ideas for where the new council can generate savings.

To find out more visit the Let's Talk website.

Independence at home is important to everyone and at this time of year when it's darker and colder Harrogate Lifeline can help reassure those who may be elderly, disabled or more vulnerable.

Our amazing team of independent living officers provide a trusted 24-hour emergency support service. If you need help – with the press of a button – we automatically know where you are and will make sure the right help is sent to you.

If you would like to see how it works, we can provide a free no obligation home demonstration.

There are three options to choose from depending on the level and length of support you need. We'll also check all the equipment when it's installed and give you instructions to get going.

You can find out more about the service, including pricing options, on our Harrogate Lifeline website page.

A variety of beautiful poinsettias, grown by our horticultural experts, are now on sale at our nursery shop. Including red, pink, white, cream and glitter. All priced at £7 each.

As well as indoor and outdoor cyclamen in a wide variety of colours. Priced at £3.20 each for small plants and £4.80 each for large plants.

To get you in the festive spirit, we have two wreath making workshops on Sunday 11 December and Sunday 18 December from 12noon to 1.30pm. Everything is provided to make a Christmas wreath, along with tea and coffee. The workshop costs £20 per person.

Christmas trees, wreaths, gift cards and gardening accessories including pots, containers and peat-free compost are also available from the nursery.

Our shop is open every day between 9.30am and 3.30pm until 24 December. You can find the nursery on Nursery Lane East, off Harlow Moor Road in Harrogate (please use the postcode HG2 0FH in your sat nav).

With Christmas just around the corner, Harrogate Convention Centre and the Royal Hall have plenty on offer to get you in the festive mood.

The 10th Country Living Christmas Fair (1 to 4 December) promises expert festive cooking demonstrations, crafting and tasting workshops, as well as endless Christmas shopping for everything from festive décor and party treats to stylish gifts for your loved ones.

There is also plenty of entertainment to set the scene for the festive season.

The Harrogate Christmas Concert (3 December) will feature school children, Harrogate Symphony Orchestra and Harrogate Choral Society; Handel’s Messiah also by Harrogate Choral Society will be accompanied by the internationally acclaimed Manchester Camerata on 10 December; tenor powerhouse Il Divo plus special guests (10 December) will perform festive classics as well as their much-loved greatest hits offering the ultimate fan experience.

A Fanfare for Christmas 2022 – Brighouse And Rastrick With Harrogate Gilbert and Sullivan Society (17 December) will present an eclectic mix of music for the whole family, with seasonal favourites, carols to sing along to, as well as movie favourites and more; the Mayor's Christmas Carol Concert (23 December) promises a traditional evening of carols and Christmas music, while the Gilbert and Sullivan Festival – New Year Gala Weekend (7 January) will help you celebrate 2023 in style.

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

To protect yourself this winter and to minimise the risk of Covid-19 or seasonal flu, make sure you take up any offer of a vaccine if you are eligible for one.

Covid-19 and flu viruses spread more quickly in winter and can cause serious illness.

So, if you're 50 or over, in an at-risk group or pregnant, for your best protection, boost your immunity now with the flu vaccine and Covid-19 booster. Many children are also eligible for a free flu vaccine.

Find out if you're eligible at www.nhs.uk/wintervaccinations and book now.

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:

• Health and wellbeing coach
• Casual nursery nurse
• Head of children's health and wellbeing
• Planning enforcement officer
• Team leader (facilities)

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