Latest news with #StuartParsons
BBC News
6 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Drivers warned over 'disruptive' Richmond road closure
A planned four-week road closure for water mains work in part of North Yorkshire will be "disruptive" for people living and working in the area, Yorkshire Water has B6271 between Richmond and Brompton-on-Swale is scheduled to be shut between 21 July and 15 full closure has been authorised to allow Yorkshire Water to complete a £1.5m project to replace 1.1 miles (1.8km) of water mains which the firm said would improve the reliability of the scheme would reduce leaks, prevent water main bursts and "improve the reliability of the drinking water supply", a Yorkshire Water spokesperson said. Richmond Road would be closed from east of Brompton Lakes to just east of the Parkgate Lane Entrance, with diversions in place from 21 July, they town councillor Ian Woods said: "The closure will have a major impact on people who work in Brompton and Northallerton and live in Richmond, and vice versa."In addition, people with hospital appointments at the Friarage Hospital, or who need train services from Northallerton, are going to have to factor in a lot of extra time." 'Tailbacks probable' According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Richmond division councillor Stuart Parsons said he had asked for the closure to be limited to overnight, but was told this was not possible."They said that wasn't possible due to the size of the engineering work that has to be carried out," he said."It will probably lead to tailbacks, but drivers can use the A1 relief road to get between Richmond and Brompton so that should help. We'll have to wait and see."Jon Lemoine, senior project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: "We don't take the decision to close roads lightly, but in this case, it is absolutely necessary in order for us to complete this important work."We understand this closure will be particularly disruptive, and we'd like to assure customers we'll be working quickly and doing everything that we can to minimise that disruption."We thank everyone in the area for their patience in advance." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
No action over missed Dales National Park Authority meetings
A member of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority will not face any action despite missing three meetings in a Myers said he missed the meetings of the authority's finance and resources committee as they clashed with those of North Yorkshire Council's executive which, as a member, he was obliged to a meeting on Tuesday, members of the National Park Authority agreed Myers should not face any repercussions for said Myers was a valuable member of the authority and voted unanimously to take no action over the missed meetings. Myers represents Mid-Craven on North Yorkshire Council and is the executive member for culture, arts and to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, members of the National Park Authority heard Myers missed three committee meetings in May, October and December last year, although he did attend in February this Authority rules meant the organisation had to bring the non-attendance to the attention of the appointing body unless it was "satisfied circumstances do not warrant that course of action".Member Stuart Parsons, who represents Richmond on North Yorkshire Council, said it "doesn't hurt" to have an executive member of the council who could "go back and talk to their colleagues on that executive".Members voted unanimously not to take any action over Myers' non-attendance. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
18-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
North Yorkshire Council criticised after clearing trees and plants
A council scheme that saw trees cut down, rose bushes removed and flowerbeds turfed over in a North Yorkshire town has been criticised by were cleared from Friary Gardens and a roundabout on Darlington Road in Richmond as part of the works by North Yorkshire councillor Stuart Parsons, who did not know the plants were due to be removed, said the scheme had "upset" local Jonathan Clubb, the council's head of parks and grounds, said the works had become "necessary due to the current condition of the areas". Workers cleared plants and trees from the gardens and roundabout on Darlington Road last week, according to the Local Democracy Reporting areas are both managed by North Yorkshire said he had received phone calls and emails, and had been stopped in the street by people asking about the said workers had "ripped [the planting] apart with no explanation and quite a lot of people are upset by it"."I've said I want it all reinstated - if they want to make changes they have to do so with the people concerned," Parsons Swift, who lives opposite the roundabout, said it was a "little oasis" and a refuge for birds before it was cleared."We used to hear a tawny owl perched in the trees on the roundabout at night," she Town Council was advised work was going to take place, but was not informed about the extent of the changes, a spokesperson said. 'Brighter spaces' Clubb said the council understood the importance of the areas to both residents and wildlife."That is why we are currently carrying out improvement work at both locations," he said."This is being undertaken as part of our annual winter works programme and has become necessary due to the current condition of the areas."He said flowerbeds that were under the shade of trees in Friary Gardens had been "moved into brighter spaces," with others being "refreshed".Part of the footpath was also resurfaced."In relation to the roundabout, the rose beds were thinly planted, the small trees had been weakened by ivy cover and the bedding was in need of refreshing," Clubb proposed improvements would include a new grassed area, bedding and trees, which it was hoped would increase biodiversity in the years to come, he to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council takeover to secure swimming pool's future
The future of a community-run swimming pool would be secured by putting it under council control, it has been claimed. North Yorkshire Council is due to take on the running of Richmond Swimming Pool on 1 March, following issues with rising costs and upgrade work at the venue in recent years. The facility will be the latest in the county to be taken in-house following the launch of the unitary authority in 2023. Richmond councillor Stuart Parsons said the transfer to council control was a "good move", which would see an "almost seamless changeover". Similar venues in Selby, Tadcaster, Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon, have already been taken on by North Yorkshire Council under its Active North Yorkshire banner. The council is also set to take control of adjacent Liberty Health Club in Richmond from 1 March. The Richmond pool and gym are currently operated by Richmondshire Leisure Trust, with the charity given the lease by the former Richmondshire District Council in 2005. In recent years, trust bosses have warned that rising costs and fewer users had threatened the future of the facilities. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service the former district council came under fire in 2022 for giving the trust almost 5% of its income to run the services — and then having to provide an extra £75,000 in funding to cover a 400% increase in energy bills. The council also agreed to pay compensation to the trust of up to £85,000 due to lost income from issues with a £1.9m revamp, which included a new heating system and solar panels on the roof. Parsons said he had "felt sorry" for Richmondshire Leisure Trust. He added: "They were created on the understanding they could access funding that the council couldn't, but that wasn't really the case." Trust bosses said the facilities were being handed over in good shape with a record number of gym users and the highest number of swimmers using the pool for several years, despite a decline in swimming nationally. Chairman of Richmondshire Leisure Trust, Andy White, said: "As these special and vital facilities transfer to new management, we hope that they will continue to enhance the lives of all who are involved in their provision." Council officers said the swimming pool and health club would operate as normal during the transition and memberships and opening hours would remain unchanged. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here. Sports centres back under in-house management Pools to gain £288k for solar panel installation Local Democracy Reporting Service North Yorkshire Council
BBC News
31-01-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Hope of secure future for swimming pool after council takeover
The future of a community-run swimming pool would be secured by putting it under council control, it has been Yorkshire Council is due to take on the running of Richmond Swimming Pool on 1 March, following issues with rising costs and upgrade work at the venue in recent facility will be the latest in the county to be taken in-house following the launch of the unitary authority in councillor Stuart Parsons said the transfer to council control was a "good move", which would see an "almost seamless changeover". Similar venues in Selby, Tadcaster, Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon, have already been taken on by North Yorkshire Council under its Active North Yorkshire council is also set to take control of adjacent Liberty Health Club in Richmond from 1 Richmond pool and gym are currently operated by Richmondshire Leisure Trust, with the charity given the lease by the former Richmondshire District Council in recent years, trust bosses have warned that rising costs and fewer users had threatened the future of the to the Local Democracy Reporting Service the former district council came under fire in 2022 for giving the trust almost 5% of its income to run the services — and then having to provide an extra £75,000 in funding to cover a 400% increase in energy council also agreed to pay compensation to the trust of up to £85,000 due to lost income from issues with a £1.9m revamp, which included a new heating system and solar panels on the roof. 'Enhance lives' Parsons said he had "felt sorry" for Richmondshire Leisure added: "They were created on the understanding they could access funding that the council couldn't, but that wasn't really the case."Trust bosses said the facilities were being handed over in good shape with a record number of gym users and the highest number of swimmers using the pool for several years, despite a decline in swimming of Richmondshire Leisure Trust, Andy White, said: "As these special and vital facilities transfer to new management, we hope that they will continue to enhance the lives of all who are involved in their provision."Council officers said the swimming pool and health club would operate as normal during the transition and memberships and opening hours would remain to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
