Harrogate residents campaign for hedgehog signs

Residents concerned about the number of hedgehogs being killed on a Harrogate street have applied for signs alerting motorists to the danger.

People on Forest Lane and Forest Moor Road petitioned Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones and North Yorkshire County Council. Hedgehogs are included in the list of animals vulnerable to extinction.

As a result, the county council has made its first application to the Department for Transport to install signs.

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Mr Jones, a Conservative who was a minister in the department when the warning signs were introduced, said on his Community News website:

“Biodiversity is important. That is why I want to back campaigns like this. Residents in the Forest Moor area have told me that injured, and more often dead, hedgehogs are a regular sight.

“If these signs just encourage motorists to pay that bit more attention in the area we can help reduce the numbers and do our bit to increase the vulnerable hedgehog population.”

Mr Jones said he “will be encouraging a quick and positive response”.

Harrogate man forced to miss funerals hits out at Downing Street parties

A Harrogate man who could only watch the funerals of his friends online has hit out at Prime Minister Boris Johnson over reports he attended a party around the same time.

Patrick Milne could not attend the funeral of a friend’s child who died with cancer at a young age or a colleague who died from an accident at home during the initial lockdown in 2020.

The UK was under strict rules at the time. People could only meet in pairs outdoors and had to stay two metres apart.

Around that time, according to a report from ITV News, the PM’s Principal Private Secretary Martin Reynolds sent out an invitation for drinks in the Number 10 garden to more than a hundred employees.

The PM Boris Johnson allegedly attended that party along with his wife Carrie Johnson.

There has been considerable coverage of the issue since the Daily Mirror claimed on November 30 that the PM and his staff broke coronavirus rules by attending parties at Number 10 in the run-up to Christmas in 2020.

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Mr Milne told the Stray Ferret:

“The numbers of people who could attend funerals were severely limited so only close family could attend. They also had to be completed in around 15 minutes.

“So it was just too much to see more evidence of these parties at Downing Street. It is even more difficult to listen to the tsunami of lies from Boris Johnson and the cabinet.

“People are angry because it is clear there was one rule for them and no rules for those in power. It’s painful to see.”

He also sent his concerns to Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones and urged him to speak out on the matter. Mr Jones has not yet responded to Mr Milne or a request for comment by the Stray Ferret.

Mr Jones said in early December that clarity was needed and called for the official report to be published as soon as possible.

Update: During an emergency debate in Parliament today, Mr Jones asked paymaster general Michael Ellis for a specific date as to when the report will be published. He was only told that it would be a “swift” investigation.

200 people sign petition to save Harrogate M&S cafe

More than 200 people have signed a petition opposing the closure of the cafe in Marks & Spencer‘s store on Leeds Road, Harrogate.

The company wants to increase the size of its food hall at Oatlands by more than 70% and extend into the neighbouring Sofa.com retail unit.

But the plans would also see the closure of the cafe, which is a popular meeting point.

The petition, sent to the Stray Ferret by one of the signatories, says:

“There is such strong feeling about the cafe. Your customers really appreciate the service and feeling of community there. The staff are also so kind and friendly.

“The customers see it as a wonderful meeting place, a resource which is convenient for shopping and a place for parents and children to meet up before and after school.

“The elderly and lonely also find friendship in the cafe. Plus the food and drink is excellent! I really hope you will read all the comments and reconsider closing the cafe.”

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The petition has also been sent to Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

If M&S’ plans are approved by Harrogate Borough Council, the expanded store will include an in-store bakery, wine shop, fill your own section to reduce waste and new decor throughout.

The retailer said in a statement:

“Our expansion plans at M&S Harrogate Oatlands are designed to deliver a bigger, better and fresher new-look food hall for shoppers and mark a significant investment in the local area.

“Whilst these plans involve closing the in-store café, they will allow us to transform the store to deliver the very best of M&S for our customers in Harrogate, with a bigger range of M&S food products than ever before.”

River Nidd a ‘potential health risk’ after MPs’ vote on sewage

Residents have said MPs voting against an amendment to stop raw sewage being pumped into rivers have created a “potential health risk” in the River Nidd.

Last week, MPs voted 268 to 204 against the Lords amendment, which means water companies such as Yorkshire Water can continue pumping raw sewage into British rivers.

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough was among those voting against the amendment.

Last year, every section of the Nidd that runs through the Harrogate district failed water pollution tests due to wastewater contamination – including raw sewage.

The Nidd is used for recreation by families, swimmers and even competitors in Knaresborough Bed Race. Some have expressed disappointment at the MPs’ vote.

Jacqui Renton, from Knaresborough, who swims in the Nidd as part of her training for a British championships open water swimming competition, said:

“Last year the River Nidd failed water pollution tests due to the river being contaminated with wastewater. This included raw sewage, making swimming in it a potential health risk.

“More worryingly, raw sewage being discharged into our rivers of course has a bigger consequence for wildlife, threatening the biodiversity and ecosystem health, which is why urgent action is needed.”

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A section of the river in Knaresborough is also used by competitors in the annual bed race. Kevin Lloyd, chairman of the bed race committee, urged Yorkshire Water to stop pumping sewage into the river on the day of the event.

However, Mr Lloyd said more action was needed:

“Any initiative that protects the environment is a good thing so I am disappointed at this defeat.

“Yorkshire Water are sympathetic to the event and do what they can but there’s always more that can be done to protect the environment.”

Nidd a ‘huge leisure attraction’

Cllr Hannah Gostlow, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough Scriven Park on Harrogate Borough Council, also raised concerns as a councillor and local resident.

She said the Nidd was a “huge leisure attraction” used by paddle boarders and young children.

She added:

“The River Nidd is already polluted with wastewater, including with raw sewage, and failed recent pollution tests. The government should be stopping sewage going into our rivers full stop.”

The Stray Ferret contacted Mr Jones about the issue but he declined to reply.

However, he said on his Community News website that he would support a new amendment to the government’s Environment Bill providing a costed plan to reduce sewage in our waterways. He said:

“It would not be sensible to support such a complicated change without having a costed plan. This is what the Lords amendment lacked and why I did not support it.”

Animals rights group urges Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones to ‘wake up’

Animal rights charity Peta has criticised Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones for lobbying on behalf of an animal testing company.

Mr Jones this week asked to meet science minister George Freeman to discuss ways of helping Labcorp Drug Development expand over the next five years.

The American-owned company, which has a site on Otley Road in Harrogate and was previously called Covance, frequently attracts demonstrators waving placards such as ‘puppy killers work here’.

A vigil for the animals tested on at Labcorp will be held in Harrogate town centre on Sunday afternoon.

Labcorp’s activities have also been criticised by comedian Ricky Gervais and actor Peter Egan.

Dr Julia Baines, Peta’s science policy manager, said Labcorp’s “monstrous laboratory causes immense suffering and has shown that it is out of touch with state-of-the-art replacements for the caging and use of animals”.

Ms Baines added:

“Peta is rushing a copy of our research modernisation deal to Mr Jones to encourage him to wake up to the advent of progressive, non-animal research. Good science and sound ethics can propel us towards the shared goal of better health.”

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Gervais and Egan spoke out after a film by campaign group Free the MBR Beagles showed beagles being loaded into vans from a breeding site in Cambridgeshire and transported to Labcorp in Harrogate for testing.

Gervais said it was “heartbreaking to hear these puppies crying out for mercy” and called for “an immediate ban on this shocking animal cruelty”.

‘New drugs must be tested in animals’

Mr Jones did not respond to the Stray Ferret’s request for a response to the claims.

The Conservative MP said in the Commons this week that Labcorp was “at the heart of new medicine development both in the UK and across Europe and has played a role in the life science industry response to covid”.

A spokesman for Labcorp said:

“Labcorp Drug Development takes very seriously our ethical and regulatory responsibilities to treat research animals with the greatest care and respect. In addition to being the right thing to do, the proper care of research animals is fundamental to sound scientific research and the ability to develop life-saving and life-enhancing new medicines for cancer, deadly infections, heart disease, leukaemia, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, and many other disabling diseases.

“New drugs must be tested in animals before human clinical trials to ensure the safety of patients and volunteers and there are clear links between excellent animal welfare and medical breakthroughs.

“Labcorp Drug Development, formerly known as Covance adheres to, or exceeds, all national and international standards of animal welfare, including the European Council Directive 2010/63/EU, the U.S. Animal Welfare Act and the requirements set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Public Health Service Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. We are also among the more than 70 original signers of the United Kingdom’s Concordat on Openness on Animal Research.

“Additionally, Labcorp Drug Development participates in the voluntary accreditation programme of AAALAC International, formerly known as Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, which includes on-site visits to ensure that we are meeting or exceeding prescribed standards for policies, animal housing and management, veterinary care and facilities. AAALAC International is a private, nonprofit organisation that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programmes.”

 

Andrew Jones calls for long-term support for ‘severely impacted’ Harrogate events sector

Conservative MP for Harrogate & Knaresborough, Andrew Jones, has called for long-term support for the events sector, which he said has been “severely impacted” by covid in Harrogate.

Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Jones said it was “fantastic to see” the Great Yorkshire Show taking place this week but warned that the events industry will take some time to get back on its feet.

He mentioned Harrogate International Festivals, which is due to host the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival next week. The charity’s chief executive Sharon Canavar told the Stray Ferret last month she has had to make some “nerve-wracking” decisions due to uncertainty over when restrictions will be eased.

Mr Jones said:

“There are other important events and event organisations, such as Harrogate International Festivals, that have been severely impacted.

“I am aware that we have talked about this sector before, but events and circumstances are evolving, so could we have please a further debate on long-term support for the events industry? It adds so much to the quality of life in the United Kingdom and it may need extra help in the future.”

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Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg responded by saying that the Harrogate Convention Centre is to host two test pilot events for conferences next week, which will help inform how the sector moves forward.

He added:

“The government know how badly the sector has been hit by the pandemic and will continue to encourage and engage with people to monitor the situation and try to support a recovery plan.

“I accept that this will be a longer-term effort, but I think that beginning to get back to normal from Monday will begin to be helpful.”

Back in February, Mr Jones also called for a debate on the sector which he said was “central to the economy” of both Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Time running out for Stray dining as debate rumbles on

Time is running out for Harrogate bars hoping to use the Stray for outdoor dining as the debate rumbles for another week.

Andrew Jones MP reignited hopes two weeks ago by sending a letter to the Duchy of Lancaster, the land owners, but the outcome has left the bar owners disappointed.

The Blues Bar, The Empress and Fashion House Bistro were all hoping to capitalise on the Stray space outside their businesses from April 12.

However, indoor dining is returning on May 17 so Trish Campbell, manager at the Empress, feels that they will likely miss out on the outdoor dining window.

She told the Stray Ferret today:

“This has completely missed the point. We have still got another three weeks but we are really missing out on a good opportunity.

“For some reason we have not had any help. So we are extremely disappointed and upset.”

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In a letter to Andrew Jones MP, the chief executive at the Duchy of Lancaster Nathan Thompson said:

“If the proposals are not permitted by the Stray Act, Harrogate Borough Council would be in breach of its management obligations in implementing them.

“We therefore suggested to the council that they might seek advice regarding compliance before finalising its proposals.

“Given the aftermath of the UCI World Cycling Championships in 2019, the Duchy also requested further clarification of the proposed scale and duration of the proposed temporary licences.”

Andrew Jones MP forwarded the response to the owners of The Empress and Blues Bar and told them:

“The council rejected taking legal advice and doing the required engagement because by the time this costly work had been undertaken it would be well past the return of indoor hospitality.

“The council have assured me that they were ready to licence limited use of the Stray. I wanted to see an equally flexible response from the Duchy of Lancaster.

“Instead they have quoted the Stray Act and declined to give a view on whether they support use of the Stray in this manner.”

MPs watch: third jobs, dining on the Stray and vaccination passports

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In April, normality began to return to the district as retail, leisure and outdoor hospitality reopened. On April 9, Prince Philip died and the three district Conservative MPs paid tributes to him.

We asked Harrogate & Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones, Skipton and Ripon’s Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty’s Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular that they have been doing this month, but we did not receive a response from any of them.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

Andrew Jones, Conservative Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

 

Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Ripon and Skipton.

Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Ripon and Skipton.

 

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

 

Nigel Adams, Conservative MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:

Andrew Jones urges care minister to ease ‘restrictive’ outdoor guidance

Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones has urged care minister Helen Whately to review care home guidance on outdoor trips.

The guidance says residents that leave homes must isolate for 14 day except for medical appointments or exceptional circumstances.

It has been widely criticised nationally and locally, including by care home residents, the Bishop of Ripon and the director of health and adult services at North Yorkshire County Council.

Nick Moxon, 32, who has cerebral palsy and is a resident at Disability Action Yorkshire‘s care home on Claro Road, Harrogate last week told the Stray Ferret he feels “trapped” and “treated like a lesser being” because of the guidance.

Now Mr Jones has described it as “too restrictive and not in the best interests of the health and wellbeing of our care home residents” and urged Whately to act.

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Mr Jones revealed the news not on his official website but on Community News, a website he runs featuring local Conservatives.

He said “slow but positive improvements” meant care home residents could now receive two nominated visitors and hold hands with them

But he added the same could not be said for outdoors visits, which particularly impacted younger care home residents:

“New guidance says that when they leave their homes for any reason, as they often do to exercise in the fresh air, they must self-isolate for 14 days thereafter. This is said to be necessary to keep other residents safe.

“Whilst I support the government’s motive, this is undoubtedly too restrictive and not in the best interests of the health and wellbeing of our care home residents.

“I have written to the Minister for Care, Helen Whately, to ask for the guidance to be reassessed and reconsidered and I hope this will be acted upon quickly.”

 

 

Andrew Jones MP supports bid to reduce VAT on hospitality sector

Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones has said a bid to extend the reduction on VAT for the hospitality and tourist sector would help a “huge number” of companies in his constituency.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced in this year’s Budget the 5% reduction on VAT for the sector would be extended until September.

Now a clause in the Finance Bill proposes further extending it until March next year.

Speaking in a Commons debate yesterday, Mr Jones said the move would cost £5 billion a year but would help organisations that were “running on empty”.

He said the sector employed 9,464 people in Harrogate and Knaresborough before the pandemic, which “puts us in the top 10% of constituencies across the country”.

He added:

“The industry needs a period of stability where it can rebuild.

“One challenge will be when businesses have been through the summer and they face the standard seasonal reduction but may not have built up the cash flow in reserve to see them through the leaner months.

“This initiative recognises that risk, so the continuity of support through the winter is welcome.”

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Mr Jones said the sector’s supply chain had been particularly badly affected, adding:

“I know that, in my own constituency, some businesses in the supply sector will not be reopening, and businesses that have served the industry well for many years are at a crisis point.”

Extending the 12.5% rate of VAT would, he said, stimulate demand, especially in the quieter winter season, and that demand would generate the cash flow that businesses need. 

He quoted Ian Fozard, who runs Roosters brewery in Knaresborough, saying “most businesses like ours need a sustained period of good trading to build back some reserves”.

Peter Banks, managing director of Rudding Park Hotel and Spa, told the Stray Ferret in March the reduction in VAT meant “that my team will still be able to pay their mortgages”. He added:

“We are lucky that we as a business have more fat on our back, but there are lots who live hand to mouth.”