News

Bilsdale Mast and lack of TV services – update

Council has received the following issued by North Yorkshire County Council.  Further information is available here Arqiva – Bilsdale Mast – Stakeholder Pack.

Information from NYCC:

Many residents in Yorkshire have been unable to watch TV since August.  North Yorkshire County Council has been pushing Arqiva, the owner and operator of the mast at Bilsdale, to restart TV transmissions as soon as possible, to improve their communications with residents, to provide additional help to vulnerable people, and to provide a suitable alternative where the normal TV signal cannot be restored in the short term.

Arqiva has confirmed that the new 80-metre temporary TV transmitter mast at Bilsdale has been switched on.  This should restore TV services to approximately 95% of households.

Arqiva has advised that this means that viewers will now need to retune their TVs and a guide on how to do this can be found at http://www.bilsdalemast.co.uk/retune-instructions.

Arqiva is aware that the some households (about 5%) still won’t be able to receive a TV signal.  Arqiva has set up a Help and Support Scheme for everyone affected.  This will initially prioritise people over 65, the clinically vulnerable, and other vulnerable people with carers.  People in these priority groups are encouraged to contact the Bilsdale Project Restore Support Line on Freephone number 0800 121 4828.  Engineers will be scheduled to visit people who need help retuning TVs or having an aerial repointed.  Residents, or people caring for someone in an affected area, can also fill out the Helpline Form at www.bilsdalemast.co.uk to request assistance.

Households in the “not-spot” areas where services aren’t restored by the switch on will receive a voucher which can be redeemed in store or online.  This will be included in a letter which will be sent by Arqiva to residents in due course.  The value covers the cost of an alternative fix from a range of products providing ways to receive free to air TV.

Attached is a set of maps (by parliamentary constituency and local authority) that show the areas that are potentially unable to receive a TV signal.  Also attached is a stakeholder toolkit produced by Arqiva.

Arqiva is seeking to communicate directly with residents, but has asked that we and other partners help by sharing the key messages.  Please will you also share the information and key messages through your networks:

  • Most people will now be able to receive TV but will need to retune their TVs and a guide on how to do this can be found at http://www.bilsdalemast.co.uk/retune-instructions.
  • Arqiva has set up a Help and Support Scheme for everyone affected.  This will initially prioritise people over 65, the clinically vulnerable, and other vulnerable people with carers.  People in these priority groups are encouraged to contact the Bilsdale Project Restore Support Line on Freephone number 0800 121 4828.  Engineers will be scheduled to visit people who need help retuning TVs or having an aerial repointed.  Residents, or people caring for someone in an affected area, can also fill out the Helpline Form at www.bilsdalemast.co.uk to request assistance.
  • Households in the “not-spot” areas where services aren’t restored by the switch on will receive a voucher which can be redeemed in store or online.  This will be included in a letter which will be sent by Arqiva to residents in due course.  The value covers the cost of an alternative fix from a range of products providing ways to receive free to air TV.

 

October 15, 2021 in Community

NOTICE OF VACANCY – TOWN COUNCILLOR

There is a vacancy following Martin Cade’s resignation.  If you would like to be considered, you are invited to send a written expression of interest to the Town Clerk’s office (either by letter or email to office@middlehamtowncouncil.co.uk) by midday on Wednesday 17 November 2021.  The vacancy will be filled by co-option at the council meeting to be held at 7pm on Wednesday 24 November 2021.  Each candidate will be invited to say a few words about themselves at that meeting, which will be held at the Key Centre.

To be eligible, you must:

  • be 18 years old or over; and
  • be an elector for the parish; or
  • have resided in the parish for the past twelve months or rented/tenanted land in the parish; or
  • had your principal place of work in the parish; or
  • have lived within three miles (direct) of the parish.

There are potential disqualifications relating to bankruptcy restriction orders, criminal convictions and having been imprisoned.  This does not necessarily render a candidate ineligible however Council needs to be aware.

If you are unsure what being a councillor involves, Councillor job description 2021.  If you wish to discuss the role and the co-option process, please speak to any Councillor or the Clerk.

David Keep

Town Clerk

October 15, 2021 in Council

Police Fire & Crime Commissioner Consultation: Please Have Your Say on How We Keep Our Communities Safe

Please see below details of this consultation.  New Commissioners are required by law to set out their plans for the length of their term and ours wants to hear from as many people before Sunday 7 November as he develops his Police and Crime Plan, and Fire and Rescue Plan for 2021-2024.

The consultation document is here: https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/content/uploads/2021/08/Consultation-2021.pdf

The survey is here: https://online.ors.org.uk/questionnaire/893FFE?clear_session=true&language=en

If you or anyone you know does not have access to the internet, the form is available as a paper copy which can be posted to the Commissioner by 7 November 2021.  This is available here NYPFCC 2021 Questionnaire PAPER FINAL and also from reception in the Key Centre, where completed copies should be left by Wednesday 3 November.

October 6, 2021 in Police & crime, Uncategorized

A684 SAFER ROADS FUND – CRAKEHALL RESURFACING WORKS – Road Closures from 11 October

North Yorkshire Highways have informed us of the following:

Hanson Contracting on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council will be
undertaking resurfacing of the carriageway of the A684 throughout Crakehall. The works include
replacement of the full width of the road surface on the A684 through the extents of the 30mph speed
limit, please see attached plan for further detail.

The map can be viewed below:

70085043-WSP-A684GLC-005 LOCATION-005

These works are currently programmed to commence on Monday 11th October 2021 and are expected
to last for up to 2 and a half weeks. Please note that during the construction of the scheme it will be
necessary to close the A684 in both directions through Crakehall to enable the surfacing work to be
carried out safely. To minimise the disruption this closure may cause the works will be restricted to off
peak hours, 09.30-15.30 each day.

On-site personnel will assist in managing access to properties and businesses within the closure.
However, please be advised there may be extended periods of time when access will not be possible
due to the nature of the works and physical constraints of the site. A signed diversion route will be in
place.

Please note, this work is part of an extensive programme and therefore it is possible that some
adjustment to this start date or the duration of the works may be necessary should unforeseen
circumstances such as significant weather events or emergencies on the highway network arise.
We request your assistance in the following ways: –
 Please contact the Council Customer Service Centre, 01609 780780, to advise of any special
access needs you may require during the work period.
 Whilst works in are progress please contact the Contract Manager, 07970 036603, for any site
specific queries or concerns.
 Cooperate and comply with any instructions issued by site staff and the Traffic Safety & Control
Officer and take extra care whilst near the works area.

For further information, including diversion information and to sign up for alerts, please go to;
https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/roadworks-road-closures-and-diversions
May I draw your attention to the County Councils Corporate Privacy Policy by using the following link
https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/privacy-notices. When submitting a response, we will record personal
information including your name and address.
We would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any disruption that these works may cause and
would again request your co-operation to help ensure an efficiently and safely executed project.

October 6, 2021 in Road Closures

Wheels 2 Work is moped loan scheme that helps people get to work, apprenticeships, or training

Wheels 2 Work is a not for profit moped loan scheme that helps people get to work, apprenticeships, or training, where no other form of transport is available.

Eligible candidates receive a moped after they have completed the compulsory basic training (CBT).

Eligibility

To be eligible for the scheme you must:

  • Live in the Hambleton, Harrogate or Richmondshire areas
  • Be 16 or over
  • Require transport to travel to work, an apprenticeship or training
  • Have a daily journey that is a practical distance for a moped
  • Have no other suitable from of transport
  • Have a provisional licence.

During the loan period candidates are encouraged to save up for their own transport to maintain access to the workplace.

How much will it cost?

Riders are required to make a weekly contribution starting at £25.00. For this sum, candidates are provided with:

  • A moped
  • Fully comprehensive insurance
  • Road tax
  • Full moped servicing.

Riders will also need to make an initial contribution of £40 towards safety equipment (which includes a helmet, motorcycle jacket, trousers, gloves and reflective jacket if required).

A bond of £150 will also be required which will usually be refunded when you leave the scheme subject to certain conditions e.g. user contributions being up to date, etc.

If you have any other queries please email wheels2work@hambletoncommunityaction.org, or call 01609 780458.

September 21, 2021 in Lifestyle

Council Office Closure – Clerk on leave

The Clerk’s Office will be closed whilst the Clerk is on leave from 4pm on Wednesday 22 September, all of the following week and re-open at 9am Tuesday 5 October.  Usual Office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 9 am until 4 pm

The receptionist in the Key Centre may be able to take messages and help with your enquiry.

You may send an email to office@middlehamtowncouncil.co.uk.  Any messages left will be dealt with after the Clerk returns.

Any urgent matters should be submitted to Town Councillors on any of the following numbers

Councillor Susan Fairhurst: 01969 622993

Councillor Honor Byford: 01969 625304

Councillor Lorna Skelton: 07793 673240

Councillor Simon Wheeler: 07753 543589

Councillor Nigel Hopper: 07594 814524

Councillor Greg Fortune: 07521 626743

September 21, 2021 in Council

Potential Delays by Richmondshire District Council Planners

RDC has announced the following at its website here: https://www.richmondshire.gov.uk/planning-and-climate-change/planning-permission/contact-with-planning-officers/

Planning service

Changes have been made to the way in which we operate our planning service. This has been brought on by acute pressure on the service as a result of exceptionally high workloads.

From 13 September 2021 the following measures will be introduced:

  • the duty service will be restricted to cover emergency cases such as Tree Preservation Orders and Listed Buildings. Help and information can be found on our protected trees page and listed buildings page. Queries should be sent to duty.planner@richmondshire.gov.uk
  • the pre-application service will be suspended with customers directed to alternative resources. Advice can also be sought from private planning consultants
  • charges will be made for informal search requests including copies of s106 agreements

The measures will free up officer time to allow them to concentrate on case work that has been validated and requires a formal decision to be made.

The pressure has been caused by several factors:

  • there has been a noticeable rise in the number of planning applications coming in despite the lockdown period
  • as well as a backlog of cases awaiting determination where further information is needed
  • we also have several vacant posts within the team and recruitment of replacement staff is proving difficult as there is a national shortage of qualified planning officers

All the measures will be kept under review and will be reassessed in the new year/ in six months.

September 15, 2021 in Council

NOTICE OF VACANCY IN OFFICE OF COUNCILLOR

Parish of Middleham

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that due to the resignation of Martin Cade, a vacancy has arisen in the Office of Councillor for the Parish Council.

If by 4 October, 2021 (14 days excluding Dies Non, after the date of this notice) a request for an election to fill said vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer at the address below by TEN electors for the said Parish, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy, otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.

If an election is called, it will take place not later than 6 December, 2021.

Dated 14 September, 2021

Tony Clark, Returning Officer

Mercury House

Station Road

Richmond

North Yorkshire

DL10 4JX

September 15, 2021 in Council