Call for urgent remedy to Ripon residents’ flooding issue
Ripon City Council is calling for urgent action and a detailed investigation led by the Environment Agency after Storm Franklin brought unprecedented flooding to Hillshaw Park Way last month.
The owners of 11 affected properties, who are still dealing with insurance claims, a clean up operation and months of misery and disruption ahead, are seeking answers about the causes of the flood amid concerns that the drainage infrastructure serving their area is not fit for purpose.
Residents were invited to an extraordinary meeting of the council called by Mayor and ward councillor Eamon Parkin and fellow ward councillor Sid Hawke.
Irwin Blenkiron and his neighbour Andrew Jarvis spoke on behalf of all residents to highlight their concerns and seek remedial action to ensure that a similar incident does not occur in the future.
Irwin Blenkiron (front, centre) and Andrew Jarvis (checked shirt) spoke on behalf of residents of Hillshaw Park Way at the extraordinary meeting.
Mr Blenkiron, an 80-year-old retired civil servant, told the meeting about an urgent pre-dawn phone call he received from a neighbour on February 21, warning that flood water was rapidly rising in the street in front of his home.
With the need for him and his wife Carol to evacuate their bungalow growing by the minute, cars were moved from the drive to higher ground and friends unaffected by the flood who live further down the street, welcomed them into their warm and dry home.
After the council meeting, Mr Blenkiron told the Stray Ferret:
“My wife and I have lived in the street since 1985 and we have never experienced anything like this before.”
Linda Beck, who has lived in the Hillshaw Park Way for 14 years, has written on behalf of affected residents to Yorkshire Water, expressing doubts about the pumping station and associated drainage infrastructure serving the area.
Yorkshire Water’s pumping station, which serves Hillshaw Park Way and Priest Lane.
She and neighbours believe it is no longer able to cope with increased capacity of water caused by more frequent stormy weather. exacerbated by run-off water from developments, including the nearby St Michael’s Retail Park at Rotary Way and the adjacent Cathedral Meadows residential development.
Linda Beck had to throw away items from her garage after they were saturated by flood water.
Her letter was sent to the developers, along with North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, and Ripon’s MP Julian Smith.
The pressure of water, caused by the February 21 flood, blew the cover off one of a series of storm drains located on land to the rear of Mr and Mrs Blenkiron’s home.
Ms Beck, whose garage, drive and back garden were flooded, said:
“I haven’t suffered the same degree of damage that other neighbours have experienced, but it’s a mess, massive inconvenience and I could have done without this.
“We certainly don’t want to have to put up with this again and it is clear to us that action is required.”
Andrew Jarvis, like other neighbours, is facing months of misery ahead as he waits for his home to dry out.
Those views are shared by Mr Jarvis, who who has lived in Hillshaw Park Way for 30 years. He pointed out:
“We need the causes of the February flood to be sorted out before the next storm arrives.
“The flood waters were totally unexpected and rose so quickly that there was no way of keeping them out of my house and garage.
“Now, along with Mr and Mrs Blenkirion, Linda and other neighbours on the street, I’m having to deal with the clean-up operation, with dehumidifiers around my home on virtually all the time making it hard to sleep.
“I even had to find a temporary home for my tropical fish, because it’s not suitable to have the aquarium here in these conditions.”
Yorkshire Water’s response
In response to the the letter sent by Ms Beck, Anthony Sumner, Yorkshire Water operational complaints champion, said that the flooding in Hillshaw Park Way occurred after the River Ure burst its banks and “the main surface water line out of Ripon had nowhere to go”.
Mr Sumner added:
“We were called to the sewerage pumping station as we had a report from a customer who thought the flooding was as a result of our asset failing.
“We met with a customer and showed that the sewerage pumping station was pumping as normal (by lifting both pumps and checked (sic) the rising main discharge point) .The issue as far as the pumping station was concerned was that it was taking on flood water and surface water (and) as such therefore couldn’t cope.
“There has never been any question for needing to increase capacity at this pumping station under normal conditions.
“Regarding increasing the size of the pumps, when the system was designed it was determined that the size of the pumps would meet the needs of the area, as has been shown under normal circumstances our pumps meet the requirements they were designed for.
“We would not look to increase the size or capacity at this time. Increasing the capacity of the pumps would detriment (sic) residents and communities further down the system especially during exceptional rainfall and severe storms similar to the ones we have recently experienced.”
“The problem with this response is that weather events like Storm Franklin and before that Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice, are becoming the norm and are occurring more frequently.
“Once you add in the additional waste and drainage water generated by new housing and other developments in Ripon, it is clear that capacities are going to be stretched on a more regular basis.
“That is why we want the Environment Agency, as the rivers authority, to head the investigation into what happened at Hillshaw Park Way in February, so that urgent improvements can can be made.
Ripon MP urges Boris Johnson to take ‘more humane approach’ to Ukraine refugees
Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith urged Boris Johnson to adopt a “more humane approach” to Ukrainian refugees at Prime Minister’s Questions today.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Smith, a Conservative, said to Mr Johnson:
“People across the country are genuinely concerned at our response on refugees, on the bureaucracy, on the tone of our response.
“He’s shown with vaccines that government change really comes from the very top. Please can I urge him to look again at resetting our policy and taking control of a more humane approach to those women and men fleeing from Ukraine.”
Mr Johnson replied that this government “have done more than any other to resettle vulnerable people since 2015”.
Mr Johnson responds to Mr Smith.
He added:
“I think there is a huge opportunity now for us to do even more and that’s why my friend, the Rt Hon Secretary of State for Levelling Up will be setting out a route by which the British people — not just the family reunion route which can run into the hundreds of thousands — but also a route by which everybody in this country can offer a home to people fleeing Ukraine.”
Mr Johnson said further details would be revealed “in the next few days”.
Just over a week ago Mr Smith urged the government to “rip up the usual bureaucracy and let’s just say they are welcome and we will make it as easy as possible to be here”.
Harrogate Conservative leader defends local response
Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper has accused the opposition Liberal Democrat leader Pat Marsh of appearing ignorant after she asked what steps the Tory-controlled council was taking to help the people of Ukraine.
Cllr Pat Marsh
Cllr Marsh asked in an email:
“What is being planned? Have we earmarked possible accommodation, have monies been allocated to help to feed, possibly clothe people?
“Please start some proactive actions now, the people of Harrogate district would support all efforts to help these desperate people fleeing a war zone, not of their making. We cannot just sit by and do nothing.”
She also urged the council to lobby the UK government to grant more visas to Ukrainians.
Cllr Cooper’s response, seen by the Stray Ferret, says Cllr Marsh was “entirely wrong to allege that Harrogate Borough Council has sat by and done nothing”.
Cllr Richard Cooper
He added:
“For a start I have asked the council housing team to identify available properties so that we can react quickly to accommodation refugees as we did for Syrian and Afghan refugees.
“We have established contact with Jenny Travena, a former independent councillor, who is working with the Harrogate District of Sanctuary to coordinate our efforts when refugees arrive.
“We will take part in the government’s matching scheme to provide suitable accommodation with individuals and families fleeing the war when the final arrangements for it are announced.
“We have also determined that we have no contracts with Russian companies nor investments with them. We have cancelled performances at the Royal Hall from Russian linked companies and we have shown our solidarity with the people of Ukraine by hoisting their flag at the Civic Centre and the war memorial.
“I am concerned that your email gives an impression – granted that it appears to be from ignorance – that the borough council is taking no action whatsoever to prepare for Ukrainian refugees. This is entirely untrue. The action you have asked for is already being taken and I am rather surprised you didn’t know about it.”
Ripon MP Julian Smith urges UK to ‘rip up’ red tape and welcome Ukrainian refugees
Ripon MP Julian Smith has called on the government to ‘rip up the usual bureaucracy’ and offer a ‘welcoming and warm hearted commitment of sanctuary’ to refugees from Ukraine.
An estimated 120,000 Ukraine citizens have already fled to seek refuge in neighbouring countries, including Poland, after Russia’s invasion began on Thursday,
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the government will accept refugees from Ukraine but opposition MPs are concerned that the government’s failure to relax visa regulations will slow down the process for those seeking safety in this country.
In a tweet yesterday, the former Conservative government whip and Northern Ireland Secretary, said:
“It’s really important that the United Kingdom makes an immediate open, welcoming and warm hearted commitment of sanctuary to those who wish to leave Ukraine.
“Rip up the usual bureaucracy and let’s just say they are welcome and we will make it as easy as possible to be here.”
‘Shocking state’ of Sharow roads prevents motorists from going green
The ‘shocking state’ of roads in Sharow is preventing motorists from going green, according to villager James Thornborough.
Mr Thornborough is so upset about the state of the roads that he has raised the matter with Skipton and Ripon Conservative MP Julian Smith and North Yorkshire County Council chief executive Richard Flinton.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“The road surfaces are in such a shocking state, that it is not safe to drive on them in smaller vehicles that use less fuel and produce fewer emissions.”
In email correspondence with Mr Smith and Mr Flinton, Mr Thornborough said:
“Given the national government wishes us at our expense to go green ASAP, how can that be achieved If you force village owners like myself to abandon my small commute car in favour of a mid-size SUV to traverse Sharow roads?
“Please note that I did not say navigate our roads because that is now impossible. Every journey stresses suspension parts, grazes tyre side walls, and forces one to meander from one side to another attempting to choose the path of least damage.”
Mr Thornborough’s email, which was copied to the Stray Ferret, added:
“The local Sharow roads consist of pot holes, fissures, and bald tarmac top interrupted by the occasional neat tarmac patch and useless NYCC highways tarmac toothpaste repairs. The tarmac toothpaste repairs started disintegrating the day after application.
“We still have large pot holes marked for repair but not filled.”
The uneven surface on Sharow Lane
In an emailed reply to Mr Thornborough, Mr Flinton, said:
“I have copied in Nigel Smith who is head of highway operations for the council, Mr Smith will look into the issues that you have raised and respond directly with you.”
At the time of publication, no response had been received from Julian Smith.
Ripon MP ‘confident’ covid tests supply is improving after complaints system is in ‘chaos’
Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith has said the supply of covid tests is improving after complaints that the system is in “chaos”, with health workers and residents left empty handed.
Mr Smith was told at a North Yorkshire County Council meeting on Friday that there have been no lateral flow tests available at Skipton’s pharmacies with staff at the town’s vaccination centre also unable to get tested as demand soared over the festive period.
Conservative councillor Mike Chambers, who represents the Ripon North division, described the system as being in “chaos” after people in the city have struggled to get test kits.
Mike Chambers
Independent councillor Andy Solloway, who represents Skipton West, told the meeting the shortages were putting a strain on the local economy and had also led to some residents launching abuse at pharmacy staff. He said:
Conservative MP Mr Smith said the government recognised there has been a surge in demand for tests and that while supply chains were improving, he would write to Health Secretary Sajid Javid to highlight the issue.
He said:
“The government is aware there was a big crunch point just after Christmas and they are now more confident on supply.
“This is an important issue as we need to get people confident to go to their workplaces, particularly health workers and others on the frontline.”
Friday’s meeting also heard complaints from Conservative councillor Stuart Martin that health workers – including a family member – had been unable to get tested.
Stuart Martin
Councillor Martin, who represents Ripon South and is also chairman of the county council, said:
“My daughter is a paramedic and some of her colleagues came to my door over the Christmas break as they were unable to access any testing kits whatsoever.
“Luckily we had a couple of tests that we were able to give them, but this is a ridiculous situation.”
It comes as the government has said the current Plan B covid restrictions will remain in place for now.
Changes from tomorrow
It has also been announced that people who test positive with a lateral flow test do not need a follow-up PCR test if they do not have symptoms. These changes come into force from tomorrow.
Mr Smith told Friday’s meeting that he believed the Plan B rules – which include working from home, face coverings on public transport and in public places, and NHS covid passes – were “relatively soft” and that the decision to stick with them was “proportionate”. He said:
“It feels as if that judgement has been correct, but obviously there are still very strong crosswinds on parts of the NHS.
“We are not out of the woods yet and we all need to do whatever we can to encourage the following of the rules.”
Ripon MP Julian Smith resigns from second jobs worth £144,000
Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon Julian Smith has resigned from three roles advising businesses that earned him £144,000 a year.
The latest MP’s register of interests, published today, shows Mr Smith ended contracts with Hygen Energy, Simply Blue Management and MJM Marine on November 16.
Mr Smith was dragged into the debate around Tory ‘sleaze’ following the resignation of Owen Paterson MP. Mr Smith is paid an £81,932 salary for being an MP.
He received criticism from Brian McDaid, former parliamentary candidate from the Skipton and Ripon Labour Party, who accused Mr Smith of not focusing his time on his constituents.
Mr Smith resigned from his three roles the day before Prime Minister Boris Johnson proposed to ban MPs from acting as paid political consultants or lobbyists.
Mr Smith was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from July 2019 to February 2020.
In August 2020 he began advising Hygen Energy, previously known as Ryse Hydrogen. Its chief executive Jo Bamford also owns Wrightbus, a Northern Ireland bus manufacturer. The contract was for £60,000 for 20 hours of work.
He was also paid to work for 30 to 40 hours over 12 months for MJM Marine, a cruise ship refurbishment company based in County Down. This contract was also for £60,000.
In January 2021 he began another role, advising Cork-based sustainable energy and aquaculture company Simply Blue Management. He was paid £24,000 for up to two hours work per month.
WATCH Ripon residents give their views on MP Julian Smith’s £144,000 consultancy work
We went out on the streets of Ripon today to ask people about the controversy surrounding their MP Julian Smith’s paid consultancy work.
Mr Smith, who has represented Skipton and Ripon since 2010, could lose £144,000 under proposals put forward by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Mr Johnson wrote to Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle yesterday proposing MPs are banned from acting as paid political consultants or lobbyists in order to maintain public confidence in Parliament.
Mr Smith, who earns £144,000 from three part-time consultancy roles, all of which were approved by the Advisory Committee of Business Appointments, would be one of the worst affected MPs if the new proposals come into force.
Mr Smith’s constituents in Ripon today expressed mixed views. Some said it was acceptable because the earnings had to be declared and it was healthy for MPs to have a wide range of skills. Others disagreed and questioned whether his consultancy commitments meant less time working for his constituents.
Ripon MP Julian Smith could lose £144,000 under PM’s plan to end consultancy work
Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith could lose £144,000 of consultancy earnings under proposals put forward by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Mr Johnson wrote to Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle yesterday proposing MPs are banned from acting as paid political consultants or lobbyists. He said it would help maintain public confidence in Parliament.
Former Northern Ireland Secretary of State Mr Smith, a Conservative who has represented Skipton and Ripon since 2010, would be one of the most severely affected MPs.
According to the BBC, more than 200 MPs received earnings in the last year on top of their £81,932 salary.
Mr Smith, who also owns three London properties, is listed as the second highest earner of consultancy fees behind Andrew Mitchell, the Conservative MP for Sutton Coldfield, who is paid more than £180,000 for six consultancy roles that take up 34.5 days of work.
The Stray Ferret has contacted Mr Smith but he had not replied by the time of publication.
Ryse Hydrogen: £60,000 for 12 months. He is expected to work 20 hours.
In August 2020, Mr Smith took an advisory role with Ryse Hydrogen. Its chief executive Jo Bamford also owns Wrightbus, a Northern Ireland bus production company that has a relationship with the Northern Ireland Office in government.
In January, Mr Smith began advising Cork-based firm Simply Blue Management. Its website describes itself as ‘the leading early stage developer of sustainable and transformative marine projects’.
MJM Marine: £60,000 for 12 months. He is expected to work 30 to 40 hours.
In March, Mr Smith began advising MJM Marine on ‘business development’. The company calls itself a ‘leading international specialist in cruise ship refurbishment’. It’s based in County Down, Northern Ireland.
Stray Views: For goodness sake, save Harrogate Christmas market!
Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. See below for details on how to contribute.
Council negativity towards Christmas market is affecting traders
The benefits to the town of the Christmas market are enormous and the increased footfall and spend attests to this. The market is close enough to the town centre for everyone to benefit.
Unfortunately, Harrogate Borough Council this year has decided otherwise. It is saying that “the event plan did not take into account the risk of overcrowding and necessary evacuation procedures, counter terrorism measures and the ongoing risk of covid”.
However this is not the case — the site is open with easy access to the outside, the council closes the roads and there are big concrete blocks at the top of the hill. It doesn’t get overcrowded — it’s less busy than indoor shopping centres, football stadia, nightclubs etc where people are in close contact for more than the guidelines of 15 minutes.
That the council was not in touch with the organisers prior to making this decision reflects very badly on them.
Organising an event of this nature takes a great deal of time and planning and attractions have already been booked, such as the reindeers and Father Christmas! It is very late in the year for stall holders to make alternative arrangements.
I am a local craftsman and rely on events like this to stay in business, and I am only one of many in a similar situation. The government policy at the moment is to get the economy moving again as soon as possible.
Harrogate Borough Council’s negative attitude is hindering this process.
Lyn Grant, Harrogate
Labour’s politics of envy over Julian Smith’s advisory roles
Thank you for giving us details of Julian Smith’s lists of advisory roles. He is obviously highly regarded by these organisations who value his skills and expertise, why otherwise would they recruit him?
The comments of ex-Labour candidate Brian McDaid are wholly inappropriate. MPs on all sides of the House of Commons have similar advisory rolls and provided they are recorded on their register of interests they are quite normal.
Might I add that I have had occasion to seek Mr Smith’s assistance on three occasions since he was elected as the MP for Skipton and Ripon and he has on all occasions responded promptly and met me locally at his regular surgeries.
His re-election suggests he is doing the job by the electors. The politics of envy will never be a worthy news item.
Poor shopping, beggars… is it any wonder people are avoiding Harrogate?
Today I met with a friend from outside the area who was saying how much she used to enjoy coming in to Harrogate to shop but doesn’t come in any more.
The reasons given were so many empty shops, cheap discount stores on what was the upmarket street and beggars sitting and almost partying around the town.
I later walked up Parliament Street and in a doorway just before the old Debenhams store there were five people with drinks, sleeping bags etc and a mess on the pavement that appeared to be vomit.
Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.
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, Conservative Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.
In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:
In Parliament he welcomed government plans to keep VAT on hospitality at a reduced rate of 5% until September, noting that this sector is particularly important for Harrogate and Knaresborough. In the same debate he supported measures to freeze income tax and personal allowance thresholds. This measure will bring more low-paid people into the income tax system, but the Government claim it is necessary to increase revenues. Mr Jones later supported calls to extend the reduced hospitality VAT rate until March next year.
On his website, the MP spoke out against rumoured plans for vaccine passports, describing them as ‘extremely problematic.’
Mr Jones (and the other two local MPs) voted against a Lords amendment to the Fire Safety Bill, which would have prevented leaseholders from paying for the costs of the cladding crisis. Thirty-two Conservative MPs rebelled to support the amendment, which was defeated.
The MP wrote a vaccination update, praising the success of the programme locally and nationally. He noted that while there would be supply difficulties in April, increased stocks should be available from May.
Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Ripon and Skipton.
In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:
Mr Smith began a new job as an advisor to MJM Marine Ltd, a cruise ship refurbishment company based in County Down, Northern Ireland. He will receive £60,000 for 30 to 40 hours of work over the next year.
The Stray Ferret reported that taking all his three advisory roles together Mr Smith is now the highest-paid MP in Yorkshire, and among the biggest earners in Parliament.
In his constituency, the MP met with representatives from Ripon City of Sanctuary to discuss how they are supporting refugees. He also met with owners of newly-reopened businesses, and had an online session with pupils from Kirby Hill primary school, answering their questions about politics.
Mr Smith tweeted 19 times about Northern Ireland, 11 times about his constituency and 14 times about other matters. He also spoke on Radio 4’s Today programme about Northern Ireland politics.
The MP has not spoken in the Commons since February 10.
On Facebook he welcomed the news that eight organisations in Ripon and Skipton, including Ripon Cathedral, received £750,000 from the Culture Recovery Fund.
Nigel Adams, Conservative MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.
In rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Adams:
The Selby and Ainsty MP was dubious about the proposed European Super League, tweeting “This sounds like a terrible idea but not at all surprising.” Two days later, when it was announced that all six English clubs had pulled out, he tweeted “Common sense prevails.”
On 8 April the Minister for Asia met with Myanmar ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn. The ambassador was locked out of his embassy after he supported the democratically-elected government over the military junta, and had to sleep in his car the night before the meeting with Adams. He has been offered temporary refuge by the British Government.
The MP spoke in the Commons on Chinese government sanctions on UK citizens, sanctions on Myanmar, and human rights in Xinjiang.
He also updated the House of Commons on medical support the UK has sent to India to help with the covid crisis, including 200 ventilators and 95 oxygen concentrators.
Mr Adams described Selby Town FC’s new website as “great.”
