Latest news with #DavidSkaith
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Yorkshire gets more than £2.5m of government's clean energy funding
Yorkshire's mayors have been awarded more than £2.5m by the government to invest in clean energy for libraries, schools, leisure centres and other public British Energy, the government's clean energy company, announced that mayoral authorities across England would receive a share of a £10m East Riding, North and West Yorkshire will receive £700,000 to invest in putting cleaner energy into its public services, while South Yorkshire will be given £572, Secretary Ed Miliband said the aim of the scheme was to help reduce energy bills. He said: "Your local sports hall, library and community centre could have their energy bills cut by Great British Energy, the government's publicly-owned clean energy company."Our plans will mean more money can be spent on the services that make working people better off and help strengthen the ties that bind us in our communities."Clean energy involves switching to energy sources that do not rely on greenhouse gas emissions or other pollutants for their production and use, such as solar panels, wind turbines and North Yorkshire, the facilities that will benefit include Joseph Rowntree School in New Earswick, Jack Laugher Leisure Centre in Ripon and Whitby Leisure Centre. North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith said the money would be put towards "spending less on energy and more on supporting people".He said: "We need to take action for our communities who suffer the devastation of flooding and for our farmers who face unpredictable weather."We are backing exciting projects that change how we heat our homes, produce electricity and grow our food." 'Lower bills and cleaner future' Meanwhile in South Yorkshire, public spaces to benefit include Rotherham Outdoor Market and libraries, Bullcroft Memorial Hall in Doncaster and Hatchell Wood School, also in Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said the scheme would make the region "cleaner, greener and fairer".He said: "The Rotherham Outdoor Market scheme is a brilliant example of how innovation can power local adaptation and resilience."By reducing emissions and energy costs, we're supporting the stallholders who are the beating heart of the market - helping them grow in the face of rising energy prices and making the market more attractive for both traders and shoppers."In Doncaster, solar panels on three local schools won't just save money, they'll help to educate the next generation." And over in West Yorkshire, the police stations in Pudsey and Stainbeck, Sedbergh Sports Centre in Bradford and South Parade School in Ossett will get clean Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said moving to clean energy was a "key part of our plan to build a net-zero West Yorkshire by 2038".She said: "This investment will make our public buildings greener, warmer, and cheaper to run – helping us save taxpayers' money and upgrade community spaces across the region."The BBC has contacted Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor Luke Campbell for more information on which services would benefit from the grant. Dan McGrail, the CEO of Great British Energy, added the clean energy scheme would make a "lasting positive impact for the country by creating new jobs, lower bills and a cleaner future". Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Yahoo
Public meeting to hold police to account on road safety in North Yorkshire
A public meeting will give people the chance to directly question police about road safety. The online meeting, hosted by Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, will take place on Tuesday, July 15, at 2pm and will focus on prevention and enforcement. It is part of North Yorkshire's first Road Safety Month and will include a presentation from the York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership. Ms Coles said: "Online public meetings are invaluable in ensuring the police and fire services are held to account in an open and transparent way. "Road Safety Month is an opportunity for the Mayor David Skaith and I to hear from stakeholders and the public about how we can increase safety on our roads for all road users because one death on our roads is one death too many. "Anyone with questions or concerns can submit them via the link or tune in to watch the meeting online. "I will continue to do everything I can to keep everyone in our region safe." The meeting will conclude with a live question-and-answer session, where Ms Coles will put residents' questions to North Yorkshire Police. While the focus is on road safety, questions on any aspect of policing or crime are welcomed and can be submitted through the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's website. The online public meetings are designed to hold police and fire services accountable for delivering the Mayor's Police and Crime Plan and Fire and Rescue Plan. These plans are shaped by public consultation and aim to achieve positive outcomes for communities across the region. To date, Ms Coles has met with dozens of parish councils across the region as part of dedicated Road Safety Advice Surgeries. She is also meeting with the York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership at the Great Yorkshire Show. The meeting will be broadcast live on YouTube and via the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's website. It can be viewed here: · Website:
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Half of North Yorkshire farms not making a sustainable profit
More than half of all farms in North Yorkshire are not making a sustainable profit, a new report has study also suggested that in a "worst case scenario" ongoing challenges such as policy changes and the climate could see that drop to just a and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith, who commissioned the report, said rural areas as a whole had struggled with a lack of investment that "farmers faced the brunt of"."When our farmers stop making money, they aren't the only ones who suffer. Our rural economy, from feed merchants and vets to local shops, schools and pubs, all struggle," he said. "We haven't been building the affordable homes they need, they don't have the transport connectivity they need and we haven't been aligning our skills agenda and strategy to the next generation of people to stay in our region."Having that whole view strategy is how we'll drive investment into the farming sector."Currently less than half of the 7,000 commercial farms in the county make sustainable profits, with many relying on income generated report also highlighted the increasing impact of climate change on farmers. While the effects vary widely between farm types, in recent years, wet winters and dry summers impacted the overall output of the trend continued, the report calculated that farms may see a 20% reduction in output, which could heavily affect annual profits of £387m. Richard Pears, West Riding chair of the National Farming Union's (NFU) said he welcomed the mayor's said: "It's about supporting rural business and that's clearly what the aim of this report is."We produce great food in Yorkshire and we want to see that put into school meals and that's maybe something [the mayor] could have a hand in shaping."William Maughan, NFU regional board chairman took a pragmatic approach to the future of farming."It makes very sobering reading, those figures, and they don't take full account of the challenges coming towards us. But you have to take a positive from it," he said."I think you can't get away from the fact there's a growing population in the UK and around the world that all need feeding."Change is inevitable and there's always been challenges in food production but we've got to focus on the positives for the younger people." The report called on York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to support farmers through a variety of included exploring further devolution around food and farming programmes, and helping farmers transition to farming systems that are profitable, low carbon and support president Tom Bradshaw said that there had been a "political cloud hanging over the industry" since the Autumn Budget was announced last year."I think for farming, the confidence of the industry is we need to rebuild it so we can invest, and deliver the food production that everyone is so proud of," he said. Speaking at the Great Yorkshire Show, farming minister Daniel Zeichner said the government remained "steadfast" in its commitment to farming and food security."We've allocated a record £11.8bn to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament," he said."We're supporting farmers facing extreme weather by investing a record £8bn into flood defences to protect homes and farms, as well as working with farmers through the Flood Resilience Taskforce and National Drought Group."Skaith added that he felt the financial outlook of farms could improve with the right support."Despite the challenges, there are also opportunities," he said."There's brilliant work already happening in our region – from local food projects to sustainability programmes, and tailored support for farm businesses, but we must do more." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
02-07-2025
- BBC News
York park and ride times to start earlier and finish later
Bus services to and from York's park and ride sites are set to start earlier and finish later, it has been Monday to Saturday, the first bus will leave the park and ride at 05:30 and the last bus back from the city centre will depart at 22: Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith said the new timetable, which is due to begin on 20 July, would benefit everyone from shift workers to visitors enjoying the city's extension is being funded by York's Bus Service Improvement Plan, supported by the Department for Transport. 'City has really changed' Currently, the first buses leave the sites at 07:00 from Monday to Saturday and return at about 20: mayor said he had been waiting for the hours to be extended for "so long"."We all see that York has really changed, we have a lot more offerings on an evening. "Speaking to so many customers and visitors to our city, who are having to leave concerts and restaurants early, having these extended hours will allow them to enjoy the city all year round," he added. Councillor Kate Ravilious, from City of York Council, added: "The six park and ride sites cover every corner of York and with up to three children traveling free with a paying adult, offers an excellent alternative to driving in to York. "They also make an invaluable contribution to reducing congestion across our city." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- BBC News
County's first fixed speed camera knocked down before switch-on
North Yorkshire's first fixed-location speed camera has been deliberately knocked over hours before it was due to be switched on, according to device, installed on the A64 in Sherburn, between Malton and Scarborough, is part of a three-month trial aimed at improving road safety in the was officially unveiled by the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, in a ceremony on Monday, and was scheduled to become operational on Tuesday 1 the damage, which is understood to have taken place in the early hours of Tuesday, North Yorkshire Police said it was "disappointing" to see the camera "targeted by vandals". "We believe the damaged was deliberate rather than accidental, and an investigation is ongoing," police said."It is disappointing to see that something intended to help keep the village safe and protect members of the public has been targeted by vandals."Police said work was continuing to ensure the lamp-post and exposed electricity cable were made safe, with a view to reinstalling the camera at an alternative site in the who has information, or witnessed the damage, is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
