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North Yorkshire Council
Good afternoon

Residents across North Yorkshire can now pay for their garden waste licence ahead of this year’s collections starting in March.

A licence for the 2024 season costs £46.50 for garden waste collections between March and early December (existing customers in Craven, Hambleton and Ryedale will pay a reduced price of £42 as they have already paid for their March 2024 collections).

The licence covers one 240-litre wheelie bin to be emptied fortnightly (depending on where they live, some residents may have an equivalent number of compostable liners or sacks/bags). Anyone who would like to have more than one bin emptied can pay for a licence for each additional bin.

Once paid, a licence pack is due to arrive within 14 days.

Buy a garden waste licence online

For more information about the garden waste service, including terms and conditions, and collection dates, please visit the garden waste page 

Cancellation of the RBPC meeting scheduled for 16th January 2024

Due to the adverse weather conditions it has been decided to postpone the RBPC meeting scheduled to take place on 16th January 2024 to a later date.

This date will be determined as soon as possible and then published on this website.

UPDATE: The meeting is now planned for 8th February 2024.

FURTHER UPDATE: The meeting scheduled for 8th February 2024 unfortunately also had to be cancelled due to adverse weather.

Home Upgrade Grant phase 2 (HUG2)

HUG2 grant poster

A new grant is available for North Yorkshire residents to help make homes more energy efficient.   

The Home Upgrade Grant phase 2 (HUG2) is available to help homes that are not on mains gas and have poor quality insulation and inefficient heating systems.   

The grant can be used for improvements such as insulation and solar panels to air source heat pumps and smart heating controls.   

These will help save money on energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.   

To qualify for the new scheme residents must have a household income of £31,000 or less and/or meet other eligibility checks.   

Properties must also be technically suitable for the measures available in the scheme and have a low energy efficiency rating (between D and G on an energy performance certificate).  

Private rented properties are eligible to apply although landlords must contribute at least a third of the total cost of the upgrade.   

This scheme is now open and we are working with community interest company YES Energy Solutions who will deliver the improvements to homes. They can be contacted by calling 01422 880 100 or visit the YES energy solutions page to find out more. You can also visit our website  www.northyorks.gov.uk/hug2 to register your details to find out more about the scheme. 

North Yorkshire Council

North Yorkshire Council

On 1 April, the county council and seven district and borough councils will become one – North Yorkshire Council.

The council will become the geographically largest council in England but is being built with local at its heart and aims to be the most local, large council in the country.

It is committed to working closely with town and parish councils, as well as wider partners and communities to ensure that local priorities drive locally led decision-making and local action via community networks.

Staff who currently serve residents will continue to provide the services that they deliver now. A main office will be retained in each former district area and will be supported by a further 30 local customer access points in places people go in the future. There will be one phone number and one website, making sure access to support and services will be easier whilst ending the current confusion that exists over which council does what.

By making this change now, it gives North Yorkshire Council the best possible chance to protect our valued services at a time of exceptional financial pressures and high demand. Joining up services will allow the council to maximise spending power, meaning there is potential savings of between £30 million and £70 million which will then become annual savings. This money can be used to protect some of the most important local services at a critical time when everyone and every organisation is feeling the pressure.

The Council will have a strong voice and will work with the county’s six MPs to ensure that Government understands and acts on the issues that affect residents and businesses. It will advocate for the best possible opportunities. A clear economic strategy that plays to the county’s strengths and supports environmentally friendly business growth means it will be business friendly. By having one council, we can strengthen the county’s cultural offer, lobby for a greater share of funding for arts and culture, and support a year-round visitor economy.

To find out more, visit www.northyorks.gov.uk/newcouncil

Frequently Asked Questions

The new council will cover the largest geographical area of any authority in the country. How can you make sure that you still serve local communities properly?

The new council will have local at its heart, with staff continuing to live and work in the communities they serve. Access to support and services will be easier, via one telephone number, one website, one customer service team and one set of face-to-face customer access points spread across the whole county. There will be a main office in each former district area, and are committed to expanding this network so there will be around 30 additional customer access points where you can get advice and support, either in or close to the area you live or work.

What will happen to the services I use every week, such as bin collections, schools, leisure centres and libraries, when the new council launches?

You will not notice minimal changes in the spring to the council services that are being provided at the moment. Whether that is having your bins collected, visiting your local library or how your child is taught at school, these services will not change when the new council launches on April 1, 2023. Colleagues across the county council and the seven district and borough councils are working very closely together to make sure that all services are unaffected and continue for the public.

What will happen to my local council building?

Your local council building will continue to deliver services. This includes a main office in each former district which will continue to give advice and face to face expertise. In addition to this many areas also have a local office – often a library, where they can also obtain advice and assistance to access council services, and this will not change. We are also committed to expanding this network so there will be a network of around 30 customer access sites where you can get advice and support, either in or close to the area you live or work in the future.           

How will I contact the new council?

There will be one website and one phone number for the new council, as well as council buildings in each district (see above) where you can seek face-to-face guidance. We are also committed to expanding this network so there will be a network of around 30 customer access sites where you can get advice and support, either in or close to the area you live or work.

What is a community network?

Community networks are likely to look different in different places but will share some common principles such as being based in market towns and their natural hinterlands. They will be subject to consultation with local communities and will build on existing assets. It is expected that the nature and make up will evolve and flex over time to meet local needs and priorities. They will bring together a range of stakeholders that reflect that place and operate independently, having autonomy to elect their own Chair and agree their own priorities and plans. They will be able to influence strategic decisions that affects their communities and be supported to explore funding opportunities from a range of sources and opportunities to align partner investment in their communities. 

How will the new council work with partners and parish and town councils?

The new council will work closely with town and parish councils, wider partners and communities to ensure that local priorities drive locally led decision-making and local action via community networks.

How will North Yorkshire Council save between £30 million and £70 million per year?

By joining up services and maximising spending power. These will be annual savings which can be used to help protect some of the most important local services at a critical time when everyone and every organisation is feeling the pressure from increased costs.

Why is my council tax bill going up when we are supposed to be seeing savings of up to £70 million a year with the launch of the new council?

The new council will give us the opportunity to save millions of pounds by streamlining operations currently overseen by the eight local authorities in North Yorkshire. However, there are really tough financial decisions ahead as we are facing the highest rates of inflation for more than 40 years nationally along with the cost-of-living crisis, which is affecting everyone. The new council will have an overall spending power of about £1.4 billion including £343 million on schools but rising costs and demand for services means it already faces a funding gap of £30 million this year alone. Council tax is now the most important source of funding for services in North Yorkshire, and each one percent increase would raise £4 million towards meeting rising costs and demand.

Why am I going to have to pay more council tax than my current bill when people living in other areas in North Yorkshire are going to be able to pay less?

The new council’s launch means that all council taxpayers in North Yorkshire legally have to be charged the same amount. The job of standardising all council tax bills across the seven districts in North Yorkshire is set to be phased in over the next two financial years, as some areas are paying higher rates than others. By making council tax bills the same, it will mean the fairest system for all taxpayers in the county. A cross-party working group formed of councillors from the county, district and borough councils recognised the financial demands that are being placed on households during the cost-of-living crisis. They agreed the fairest and most efficient way forward was for the harmonisation of council tax to take an average of all existing bills and implement the changes across two financial years.

The cost-of-living crisis is affecting everyone. Why do you need to create a new council when money could be spent on helping those most in need in North Yorkshire?

Everyone is feeling the effects of the rising cost of living, especially on food and other essential items. But the current structure with the county council and the seven district and borough authorities in North Yorkshire is not seen as a sustainable way to deliver important services in the long-term. By creating the new North Yorkshire Council, millions of pounds can be saved to help fund these services. Having one council will save between £30 million and £70 million a year.  This is money that can be used to help to protect some of the most important local services at a critical time when everyone and every organisation is feeling the pressure from increased costs. There will be tough financial decisions ahead, but by making this change now, we are better placed to manage the impacts. We are also in a stronger position to work with partners like the health sector, police, fire, and community and voluntary sector to get the most from every North Yorkshire pound. We are also taking steps to help those most in need. Councillors have voted to back proposals which will provide up to 100 per cent reductions on council tax bills for households on the lowest incomes.

Why do we need to create a new council to get devolution – can’t we just have devolution without merging the eight authorities into one?

We were told by the Government that the current structure of local government – with the county council and the seven district and borough authorities – had to be replaced with a unitary authority to secure a long-awaited devolution deal. This will make local democracy in the county much simpler, and end confusion over which council does what, and which councillor is responsible for which area. It also gives us the chance to streamline services and make millions of pounds of savings which will be used to finance key priorities of the new council. Having one council will save between £30 million and £70 million a year.  City of York Council will continue as a separate unitary authority to run alongside the new North Yorkshire Council, which will launch on April 1, 2023.

What is devolution and what benefits would it bring for people living and working in North Yorkshire?

Devolution is a key policy of the Government, handing over decision-making powers to local political leaders and providing millions of pounds in funding to shape hugely important policies and projects at a regional level. A proposed 30-year devolution deal for York and North Yorkshire, with an investment fund of £540 million, is due to lead to benefits ranging from new and better-paid jobs and improved transport links to more affordable housing. The proposed deal was unveiled on 1 August, with the option to elect a regional mayor in May 2024, giving York and North Yorkshire a direct relationship with central Government. Staff will continue to be based locally to work with communities and ensure that their needs can be effectively served.

Rural Cost of Living Household Survey

The Rural Services Network in partnership with Citizens Advice is running a Rural Cost of Living Household Survey.

 

Survey Poster Image Copy

 

RATHMELL PLANNED ROAD CLOSURE NOTIFICATION

PLANNED ROAD CLOSURE NOTIFICATION – 38100 – Beautry House Farm to Far Cappleside Barn

The Closure will be in place for a period of 1 day on the 1st March 2023 to allow Yorkshire Water to install a new water supply connection. The closure will be in place between the hours of 09:30 and 15:30 only.

 

RATHMELL PLANNED ROAD CLOSURE NOTIFICATION

PLANNED ROAD CLOSURE NOTIFICATION – 37577 provided by North Yorkshire County Council – Beautry House Farm to Far Cappleside Barn, Rathmell.

The Closure will be in place for a period of 2 days between 31st January 2023 and 1st February 2023 to allow Yorkshire Water to install a new water supply connection. The closure will be in place between the hours of 09:30 and 15:30 only.

 

Notice of a public meeting of the: Skipton and Ripon Area Constituency Committee

Please see the link below to the agenda for this NYCC meeting:

Agenda for the public meeting of the: Skipton and Ripon Area Constituency Committee

Let's Talk North Yorkshire

Let's Talk North Yorkshire

From 1 April 2023, North Yorkshire Council will replace the eight councils in North Yorkshire to deliver all the public services your local council currently provides. Having one new council will save money by joining up services to end duplication, helping to support services so they are stronger and fit for the future, as well as fund local decision-making.

The new council is being built with local at the heart of everything it will do. There will be a main office in each district, supported by customer access points across North Yorkshire so you can still access help and advice face-to-face. There will also be a single website, a single telephone number, and a single local councillor serving your area.

Community Networks will bring together residents, councillors, businesses, town and parish councils, MPs, community groups, and partners like the NHS and police and fire services. Area committees will oversee decisions on matters like licensing and planning at a local level. There will also be a single website, a single telephone number, and a single local councillor serving your area.

Over the next few months, the new council will be asking you what local services are most important to you, how you’d like to work with them, and what you think they should focus on as part of ‘Let’s Talk’, the biggest countywide conversation that North Yorkshire has ever seen.

How can I take part?

The first topic of conversation is ‘Let’s Talk Local’, focussing on what’s important to you in your local area, as well as asking for your views on the proposed Community Networks. This will be followed by conversations about the budget and proposed devolution deal for York and North Yorkshire later in the autumn. You’ll hear more about ’Let’s Talk’ in the paper, on the radio, online and on social media, and the conversation will run from early September right through to December.

Teams from the council will be holding these conversations in person across North Yorkshire at the places you visit and socialise at, like libraries and street markets, and talking to members of local community groups.

You can also share your views online or, if you’d prefer, on paper. Surveys are available in accessible formats including large print and easy read, plus selected alternative languages – simply call 01609 780780 to request your copy. 

Join the conversation

Here are a few of the events taking place where you can have your say, with many more planned:

Visit https://letstalkny.commonplace.is/  to share your views online, and find out where your local conversations are taking place.

Queen

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has sadly passed away this afternoon

Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022

 

Aged 96, the Queen has passed away.

Message from Councillor Yorke, Chairman of Ribble Banks Parish Council:

“It is with great sadness that Ribble Banks Parish Council notes the death of Her Majesty the Queen but it is also with sincere gratitude that we remember her tireless service to our nation and its rural communities.

In a world that has changed beyond recognition since the Queen’s accession to the throne, Her Majesty has been a constant figure and a reassuring presence. Her devotion to the country and sense of duty have inspired us all.

On behalf of everyone in the community of the three parishes that make up Ribble Banks Parish Council, I send my deep condolences to all members of the Royal family and hope they will find comfort in the outpouring of love and support not just across our nation but, indeed, from around the world.  God save the King”.

A new Council Tax Reduction Scheme for North Yorkshire Council

From next year there will be a new single council in North Yorkshire. The new North
Yorkshire Council will replace the seven district and borough councils as well as the
county council. All eight councils are working together to make sure that the services
people value continue as usual when North Yorkshire Council comes into being on 1
April 2023.

Having one council means services can be strengthened and joined up to improve
the quality of life and opportunities for people across North Yorkshire. It will also
save money by reducing duplication to put back into frontline services and support
local priorities and decision-making.

Currently the seven borough and district councils all have slightly different Council
Tax Reduction schemes, and by law North Yorkshire Council must introduce a single
scheme covering the whole of the North Yorkshire area. Council Tax Reduction is a
discount that helps people on low incomes pay their Council Tax bill. The proposal is
to introduce an income banded scheme that is more supportive, with the maximum
level of reduction for the people most in need.


The changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme will affect working age
households in the North Yorkshire area who will get Council Tax Reduction from 1
April 2023. Pension age households will not see any change as the scheme to
support this group is set out by Central Government.

Most applicants will get the same support as they do now and many will be better off.
Although some households will have a little more to pay, the proposals set out plans
for a hardship fund so that anyone affected who needs additional help will be
supported. People are invited to share their views on the proposed changes as part
of a consultation.

A link to take part in the consultation and more detailed information can be found at
www.northyorks.gov.uk/CouncilTaxReduction. The consultation will close at midnight
on 18 September 2022. All comments and feedback will be considered in October,
before a final decision is made in November.

North Yorkshire Independent Advisory Group recruitment leaflet

The North Yorkshire Independent Advisory Group is recruiting. Please see the leaflet below for more information:

North Yorkshire Independent Advisory Group leaflet

Statement of persons nominated for the upcoming parish elections

Please find attached a statement of persons nominated for parishes with contested elections and a notice of uncontested election for the remaining parishes. All parishes bar one received sufficient nominations to be quorate and any remaining vacancies can now be filled after 5th May by co-option. Elections in the 4 parishes with contested seats will take place on Thursday 5th May.

Notice of Uncontested Parish Elections

Statement of Persons Nominated

Notice of election of County Councillors

Please click on the link below to see the notice of election for County Councillors:

Notice of Election – County Council Elections

Notice of election of Parish Councillors 2022

Craven District Council has given notice of election of Parish Councillors for 2022. Please click the link below to view the notice.

Notice of Election of Parish Councillors 2022

Meeting of the Skipton & Ripon Area Constituency Committee

A meeting of the Skipton & Ripon Area Constituency Committee is planned for 10th March 2022 at 14.00. Please see the attached file for more information.

Skipton and Ripon Notice

NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL (30 MPH SPEED LIMIT) (C391 RATHMELL) ORDER 2022

NOTICE is hereby given that on 25 February 2022 North Yorkshire County Council made an Order
under Sections 84(1) and (2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 1984 and Part IV of Schedule 9
to the 1984 Act, the effect of which is to prohibit any motor vehicle from travelling at a speed in
excess of 30 miles per hour on any length of road specified below.

Road Length 1 C391 Rathmell From a point 224 metres north of Hesley Lane to a point
252 metres south of Hesley Lane, measured from the centre line of Hesley Lane.
A copy of the Order, which comes into operation on 7 March 2022, may be examined at County Hall,
Northallerton and at Settle Library, Limestone View, Lower Greenfoot, Settle, BD24 9RB during
normal office hours from 3 March 2022 until 8 April 2022 and also viewed online at
www.northyorks.gov.uk/roadworks-map or www.northyorks.gov.uk/traffic-regulation-orders.
BARRY KHAN, Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services), County Hall,
NORTHALLERTON
Village Verges Get Together Flyer Friends Of The Dales

Upcoming events from the Friends of the Dales

As part of the spring re-launch of our Living Verges campaign – which aims to support parishes and community groups raise awareness of the profound improvements that can be made to biodiversity and wildlife by a few simple changes to the cutting regimes on country verges and village greens… the Friends of the Dales are offering a free digital talk on 16 March at 4.30pm by their volunteer campaign lead, Dr Anne Readshaw:

Overview of Biodiverse Living Verges talk:

The Yorkshire Dales has hundreds of miles of roadside verges. In spring and summer they form an integral part of the verdant Dales landscape. These verges have a rich diversity of different plants growing in them that support lots of different insects, which in turn support all manner of other wildlife. Dr Anne Readshaw, leader of Friends of the Dales campaign to protect and enhance roadside verges for biodiversity, will give an update on the campaign and explain how local authorities and local communities can help to make road verges an important, safe and healthy sanctuary for plant and insect species.

Please circulate – to book a place email victoria.benn@friendsofthedales.org.uk
There is also a further event planned by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust to support communities learn more about helping pollinators and propagating wildflowers – at 5.30pm Monday 28th March at Addingham Hub – details on the attached picture of the flyer.

Action on Climate Emergency Settle and Area

‘Cutting Our Carbon in Energy & Transport’ is taking place at Settle Victoria Hall on 12th March (10-1pm). Drop-in or join us for the whole morning.
The event features speakers (10.30-11.30): Rob Atkins (Craven DC): ‘Climate Emergency Initiatives’, Paul Kelly (ACE Energy Group): Home Energy Generation with Helen Seagrave (Community Manager Electricity NW) community energy planning and Dave Mann (TLS Energy): Settle Hydro What Next?

Stalls (10-10.30 and 11.30-12.30): ideas and advice from groups including: ACE Themed Groups, Settle TC, Craven DC, Settle Hydro, Settle Pool, TREE Renewables, TLS Energy, Electricity NW, electric car owners, Northern, Settle Carlisle Rly Dev Co, Friends of Settle Carlisle Rly, Dales Bus, Yorkshire Housing & Stefan Sykes Rural Business Development Officer

A café will be available 10-1pm.

More information on ACE’s website: 

http://acesettleandarea.org/event/marchs-green-cafe/ or via social media  Facebook and Twitter @ACESettle or contact acesettleandarea@gmail.com

Walking in England

Time to get walking again!

At this time of year we start to think about the mud drying up and getting out to walk in the beautiful English Countryside again, but where to find new and interesting walks?

Walking in Yorkshire https://www.walkinginengland.co.uk/yorkshire has hundreds of walks to download and print, free, it also has books of walks, details of all the walking groups in the county and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group all the information is there in one place.

John Harris (the custodian of the website) said ‘There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in Yorkshire (part of the Walking in England website) has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you’.

With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy.

So home or away, check out the websites and get walking!

John Harris

www.walkinginengland.co.uk

john@walkinginengland.co.uk

20mph Innovative Interactive Polis Survey launches

20mph Innovative Interactive Polis Survey launches

Please share this link to the survey with your councillors and residents. After responding to Statements, participants have the opportunity to add their own statement(s) that others can then respond to. It is being hosted by local media and all submitted statements will be moderated by Harrogate lawyer, Andrew Gray before being added.

The Polis offers an excellent way for both the 20s Plenty campaign and Parish Councils to demonstrate they are actively engaged and listening to their communities on this issue, so please post the link on your council, village or town websites and social media. The Polis will run for several weeks, so please start engaging with it now. We will share the results with election candidates, in future meetings and mailouts, which will help increase awareness of 20mph and the range and breadth of views.

Our next North Yorkshire County meeting is Thursday 10th March 2022 at 7.30pm. Please invite County Councillors and anyone thinking of running for local elections in May. Please use this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5861366730

Download our new Valentine’s card graphics 
here Love Life Love 20 is a tagline. People enjoy getting love cards and messages. It keeps 20mph in mind. Send to our County Councillors and MPs.

This Roadside sign is an excellent way of reaching out to residents and drivers on the routes we want to make 20mph where large verges give us space. Get the message out and get people talking about 20s Plenty. 20s Plenty Wheelie bin stickers repurposed to go on a wooden stake board will make a great visual impact around the County ahead of local elections. Order a pack of stickers here and start planning and making the stakes now!

Highway Code changes
 Read the guest blog from solicitors Mooneerams explaining why the new Highway Code update that came into force in the UK on 29th Jan 22 won’t work unless we adopt a general 20mph urban/village default speed limit here

Household Support Fund

The Department for Work and Pensions will be giving NYCC £3.5m as part of their Household Support Fund programme so we can make sure people who may be feeling the financial pressures of paying their bills over winter get additional help.

We’re working with a number of partners to get this money to those who need it most. Earlier this week we started sending letters to around 8,000 residents who meet the eligibility criteria of getting means-tested help to pay their council tax bill and have a child under the age of 19 living at home to let them know how to claim their e-vouchers.

Funding will also be distributed among other schemes in the county, which can be accessed by residents who may struggle to afford basic necessities.

Find out more at www.northyorks.gov.uk/householdsupportfund

Regulations on using mobile phones while driving to be tightened

The Police will soon be able to prosecute motorists who use their mobile phones under any circumstances while driving. The new regulations will mean that it will also be illegal for a hand-held device to be used at traffic lights or in a traffic jam. Anyone caught using a hand-held device while driving will face a £200 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence. Drivers will still be able to continue using a device ‘hands-free’ while driving, such as a sat-nav, if it is secured in a cradle. However, you must always take responsibility for your driving and can be charged with an offence if the police find you not to be in proper control of your vehicle.

Avian Influenza – update for poultry and bird keepers

There have been five confirmed cases of Avian Influenza in North Yorkshire, and many more across Great Britain.

On 3 November an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) was declared across England requiring enhanced biosecurity for birds.

Earlier this week a localised AIPZ was declared, covering parts of Hambleton, Richmondshire and Harrogate, requiring birds to be housed. DEFRA have now announced that from 29 November another similar order will be made requiring the housing of all birds across GB.

There are strict rules in the zones surrounding the confirmed cases. If you keep poultry or other captive birds, please see the latest information, zones and their rules and guidance here: Avian influenza (bird flu) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). There is also an interactive map so you can see the rules applicable to you. APHA Interactive Disease Map (arcgis.com).

If you have any queries, please contact the Trading Standards animal health team at tsanimal.health@northyorks.gov.uk.

Make Care Matter Campaign

People of all ages and all backgrounds work as care professionals in North Yorkshire  – so we want people to come and join the team and make a difference to people’s lives.

Across the county North Yorkshire has 20,000 people working in the care sector, from the 13,000 care and support workers in 500 organisations providing services in residential care and people’s homes through to social workers, project managers and administrators.

On any given day there are at least 1,000 jobs available across the county.

Never has the need for people to work in care been so great.

Although it is one of the most challenging times for the care sector, it is also the best of times to step into a care job because of the many opportunities in a wide variety of roles and great career progression. There is something for everyone.

All sorts of people have made this life-changing step from builders and retail workers to accountants, young graduates, parents wanting flexible but rewarding work, actors and drummers and everything in-between. But we need many more.

This is why North Yorkshire is joining the national campaign launched this month to encourage people to step into the profession.  We are asking people to come and join us in this great work.

Because it is far more than just a job. It’s about building relationships and helping people achieve often simple, daily tasks which they are no longer able to complete by themselves. It’s about supporting people, often with fascinating life stories, to live well and with dignity.

And no two days are the same.

So if you know of any friends or family looking for part-time or full-time work, who are looking for a change into a worthwhile career, jobs in the care sector provide flexible working hours.

Care roles can also provide great experience, pay and flexibility for students looking to earn some money around their studies.

Care roles also offer opportunities for staff in other jobs wishing to work additional hours.

People do not need to have experience – anybody with empathy, who enjoys solving problems for people and getting things done to help people lead as fulfilling lives as possible – they will thrive in this role.

It is a really inclusive option; our care staff are as diverse as the people of North Yorkshire

A job in the care sector also offers stability and great career progression.  Many who start on the frontline with no previous qualifications go on to become team leaders, and can move into management and professional roles such as social workers, occupational therapists, nurses and public health consultants.

  • Take Rachel Bowes, our assistant director for care and support who started out as a front-line care worker, working weekend shifts while an A-level student at college and then in a gap year while she decided between nursing and teaching.

She found work in the care sector so rewarding that she abandoned those ideas and stayed on, undertaking a wide range of front line and management roles while studying for an Open University degree in social care.

She said: “I have memories which go right back to my days as a new care assistant that I will always cherish. I have met and had the privilege of getting to know people who have left their mark and shaped my approach to work and the way I live my life.

“I feel really grateful to have had that opportunity. I feel really lucky to be in this current role, but nothing beats the satisfaction when someone is unwell or uncomfortable, being able to do something which makes them feel better.

  • Take Flavia Nyambira who has worked for the last four years in the North Dales as a care and support worker. She helps people who have come out of hospital or experienced a physical or mental difficulty, to get back on their own feet in their own home.

She came into the care profession after 11 years working in the British Army as a postal and courier service operator in Germany.  When Flavia was posted back to Catterick with her soldier husband and their three children she started to look for work that she could fit around her family.

Flavia was taken on under our apprenticeship scheme and is currently working to complete her NVQ level 3, which will give her the qualification to become a team leader.  “Being a care professional is something I am so proud of” she said. “Every day in the job is different and at the end of every day I always feel I have made a difference,”

  • Take Michael Westlund, an actor who fits his job helping to care for people with learning difficulties around his acting roles.

Michael has worked alongside stars in films like Star Wars and TV shows like All Creatures Great and Small, Downton Abbey and Peaky Blinders but when not acting he works at Milestone House, Scarborough which caters for people with learning difficulties who are on short breaks.

 

He took up the caring role at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and has stayed with it. “I get a lot of satisfaction out of it,” he said. “I do pretty much everything, personal care, taking people out around the village, and organising activities.”

  • Take Sharon Moss who came into the care profession after experiencing the effect of Alzheimer’s on her grandfather, the legendary Middlesbrough and England footballer George Hardwick.

Destined for a career in horse racing after working in a stables in Malton she nevertheless returned home to Scarborough and took up a job in domiciliary care and set about learning more about the illness which had ravaged her grandfather’s life.

Sharon’s professional interest in dementia led to training courses and opened up a series of opportunities which eventually led to her managing a home – Benkhill Lodge at Bedale – a leap which would have been difficult to imagine in the early stages of her career.

Sharon believes more young people should be made aware of how fulfilling and exciting a career in care can be, that doors frequently open to new opportunities in the sector.

“As soon as I started working in adult social care, I knew it was the career for me. I have a respect for the elderly and want to sit down and talk to them. I absolutely love coming to work every day.”

Her experience of working for North Yorkshire, she said, is that there is always support and encouragement and training for those who want new challenges and to progress their careers and develop further.

New date for the November RBPC meeting!

Due to circumstances, the November RBPC meeting unfortunately has to be postponed by a week to the new date of 30th November 2021!

Notice of casual vacancy

NOTICE OF CASUAL VACANCY TO BE FILLED BY CO-OPTION

Ribble Banks Parish Council has a casual vacancy for the role of Parish Councillor which it is seeking to fill by co-option. The duration of the co-opted role will be until May 2022 when the local elections take place and Councillors need to be re-elected.

A parish, town or community council is the closest level of local government to the community. It is a local authority in its own right that makes decisions on behalf of the residents in its “parish” and has a District/County or Unitary authority hierarchy that sits above it. Councillors are elected but are unpaid for their time. Becoming a parish, town or community councillor is a rewarding experience and often described by those that get involved as a way of giving something back to their community. Your time will be well spent and there are no real barriers to becoming a councillor.

Qualifications – any person can be elected as a councillor if they are:

  • a British national, Commonwealth citizen or a Euro-national on the day they are nominated and
  • 18 years of age or over and
  • on the day they are nominated and thereafter they continue to be a local government elector for the area of the authority or
  • has during the whole of the twelve months preceding that day occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in that area or
  • their principal or only place of work during that twelve months has been in that area or
  • during the whole of those twelve months has resided in that area or
  • in the case of a member of a parish, town or community council has during the whole of those twelve months resided either in the parish or community or within three miles of it.

Disqualification – A person is however disqualified from being elected or being a councillor if they:

  • hold any paid employment or office in the authority that they seek election or
  • are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or other interim order or
  • have within five years before the day of election or since their election been convicted of any offence and has had passed on them a sentence of imprisonment of at least three months (whether suspended or not) without the option of a fine or
  • has been found guilty of corrupt or illegal practices or responsible for incurring unlawful expenditure and the court ordered their disqualification.

If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor for Ribble Banks Parish Council you are warmly invited to download a co-option application form (which includes the co-option eligibility form) from the Council website https://www.ribblebankspc.co.uk/ and to return it to the Clerk via the Councils email address RBPC@mail.com .

The closing date for applications is midnight on Thursday 18th November 2021. Applications will be considered by the Council during the regular Council meeting which will be held on 23rd November.

On behalf of Ribble Banks Parish Council,

2nd November 2021

Belinda Roos, Clerk & RFO

Please click the link below to access the application form:

Co-option application form RBPC

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Dementia

Dementia Action Week

Dementia Action Week 17 to 21 May 2021
National Dementia Action Week was created by Alzheimer’s Society and takes place between 17 and 23 May. It is an annual opportunity to raise awareness about dementia, the impact it has on people’s lives and the actions we can all take to help people live well with dementia. As shops and services are starting to open up again Dementia Friendly Craven are using the week to remind people about how they can make their communities and organisations more dementia friendly and also provide information about where people can get help and advice.
Over 10,000 people are living with dementia in North Yorkshire and it’s important that we play our part in making our services and facilities and communities more Dementia Friendly and make sure people affected by dementia know where they can go to get help and advice. If you would like to know more about Dementia Friendly Craven please visit www.cravendc.gov.uk/community-living/dementia-friendly-craven.
If you or your organisation would like to take part in Dementia Action Week here are some actions, you could take. Share our Dementia Friendly Craven Social Media Messages Dementia Friendly Craven have produced the following short messages that you or your organisation can share on Facebook or Twitter during Dementia Action Week. Find out more at www.alzheimers.org.uk

You can find guidance on how to make your community or organisation more dementia friendly here www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-friendly-communities.