Housing Minister urges rural communities to learn from Harrogate

Policies created by Harrogate Borough Council to provide homes in rural areas have been set as an example to other rural councils by the Communities Minister, Andrew Stunall.

Full statement from Andrew Stunall here

Merry Christmas

Michelle and Jim wish everyone in Rossett and across the Harrogate district a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. We look forward to working hard for you in 2012.

MPs Attack Key Planning Reforms

MPs attack key planning reforms

Rossett Sports Centre Future Concerns

Michelle writes: Yesterday, Jim and I became aware of Harrogate Borough Council's proposals to discontinue the operational management of Rossett Sports Centre in order to generate efficiency savings for 2012. If this were to happen, the running of the sports centre would have to taken over by an other organisation, such as a school, a community group or a private company. At this stage, it is still a proposal, however to all of us in the Rossett Ward and across Harrogate, it's both shocking and inconceivable that these facilities could be in jeopardy.

Jim and I will be fighting to keep funding from HBC for Rossett Sports Centre and we want you to share your views. Please post your thoughts and comments on this. How do you use Rossett Sports Centre? What does it mean for you as a facility? What do you think of the council's proposals to withdraw funding?
We will keep you updated on any new developments.

Read an article abouth this in the Harrogate Advertiser - Vow to keep Rossett Sports Centre open
Read an article on this in the Yorkshire Post - Council set to axe sports hall funding

Arthurs Avenue North/South Divide Parking Update

Jim writes: At a meeting last Thursday, North Yorkshire County Councillors decided to revoke the parking controls on Arthurs Avenue. This means that in the new year the parking bays will be removed. Since the bays were introduced in 2008, the situation has improved for residents at the Otley Road end of the street (North) but has meant major problems and safety concerns for those living further up the avenue (South). Also a large proportion of the bays were not used and there was increased movement of traffic due to the time restrictions.

Myself and Michelle are going to meet Sixth Formers next week at the Grammar School to discuss the new arrangements with students and encourage a more responsible attitude to parking to benefit both residents and students. We will also raise the subject of alternative means of travelling to and from school rather than using individual cars, which is neither good for the environment or the wallet.

These changes will not address the problem of parents of children blocking drives and inconsiderate behaviour when picking up and dropping off children .We will continue to discuss this with the school.

Speeding surveys have been carried out during November and we will have the results shortly. Myself and Michelle are in favour of a 20mph limit for Arthurs Avenue.

Questions about road and footpath gritting?

Michelle writes: Now that the winter has descended upon us rather abruptly, it's time to think about keeping safe on the roads and footpaths.

North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) places a very high priority on its winter maintenance service and has protected the funding for it despite the current severe financial challenges.  Due to the size of the County and the resources that NYCC have available to clear snow and ice, it is not possible for the County Council to treat all roads and footways in North Yorkshire during severe winter weather conditions. However, the County Council does routinely treat 50% of the road network, which is the largest proportion of any local highway authority in England.  Resources are focussed on the higher priority routes of our network in line with our winter maintenance policy and some lower priority roads and many footways are therefore not able to be treated.  In severe conditions local farming contractors form an integral part of our snow clearing operations.

NYCC currently have 55,000 tonnes of salt stored mainly in 12 salt barns across the county.  These are located at Richmond, Leyburn, Thirsk, Stokesley, Whitby, Seamer Carr (will be complete by February 2012), Kirby Misperton, Skipton, Ingleton, Boroughbridge (shared facility with the Highways Agency), West of Harrogate and Selby.  

In widespread freezing and wet conditions NYCC salt 2300km of priority 1 routes which include the major traffic routes connecting or passing through towns and other major centres of population and these should be treated by 7.00am. When conditions dictate, NYCC will move the gritters on to the 2100km of priority 2 routes which generally provide access to local communities and these should be treated by 10.00am.  Generally treatment does not take place between 11.00pm and 5.00am; however specific conditions may require us to do so.

Priority 3 routes which include the remaining 4500km of roads in housing estates and country lanes will not normally receive treatment unless NYCC know freezing conditions are likely to persist for more than 72 hours. Priority three routes will be treated, as resources permit, but with preference to priority one and two routes. 

Footways in busy shopping areas will be treated in snow conditions before 9am. Normal overnight frosty conditions will not warrant treatment of footways. After snow fall, busy shopping streets and main pedestrian footways will be cleared before other footways. In ice and snow conditions remaining footways will be treated in priority order subject to available resources.

Last winter NYCC also successfully trialled a winter maintenance volunteer scheme with a small number of Parish and Town Councils.  NYCC have now set up a new voluntary scheme that offers Parish Councils, Town Councils and other community groups the opportunity to deliver an enhanced level of winter maintenance service in the local area.  Take up of the new scheme has been encouraging with in the region of twenty parishes taking part.  

Parish and town councils who volunteer to join the scheme will play an important role in assisting with winter maintenance across North Yorkshire to benefit residents in their local community by providing a service that is in addition to the normal winter service.   

How do I get my road gritted? 

The schedule of treated roads has been developed over a number of years and is approved annually by the Council.  Whilst it is unlikely that any additional roads will be added to our current schedules, if you feel you have an exceptional case for amending, you should contact the Council. Any submission would benefit from having the support of your Parish/Town Council or the support of your local County Council Member.  Any additional requests that come in will be looked at in a preseason review. 

Can I request an additional salt bin? Parish councils and community groups/ resident organisations can acquire and maintain additional salt bins at locations that do not meet the County Council's criteria. In these circumstances a 200kg green (or yellow) bin will be provided at a cost of £50.  An annual maintenance charge of £75 will be applied to each bin to cover the cost of two salt replenishments. A further charge may be levied if additional fills are required. 

You can find more frequently asked questions and further details on our gritting operations, mapping and camera images on the website http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/