News

On 1 April 2023, North Yorkshire Council will replace the eight councils currently delivering public services in North Yorkshire.

Over the next few months, the council will be holding the biggest countrywide conversation North Yorkshire has ever seen – ‘Let’s Talk’ – to find out which issues are most important to you, and how they can best support you and your community.

How can I take part?

The first topic of conversation will be ‘Let’s Talk Local’, and they will be asking you which local services are most important to you, and what you think of the proposed Community Networks. 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 groups. Later in the autumn, they will be asking for your views to help shape the budget for the council, as well as the proposed devolution deal for York and North Yorkshire.

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:

Date	Event	Location	Postcode	Time
28/09/2022	Knaresborough Market	Knaresborough	HG5 8AG	9am-3pm
29/09/2022	Ripon Market	Ripon	HG4 1BP	9am-3pm
02/10/2022	Harrogate ‘Little Birds’ Art Market	Valley Gardens, Harrogate	HG1 2SZ	10am-3pm
02/10/2022	Harrogate Junior Parkrun	Valley Gardens, Harrogate	HG1 2SZ	8.45am-9.30am
05/10/2022	Harrogate Library	Victoria Ave, Harrogate	HG1 1EG	3pm-6.30pm
07/10/2022	Ripon Library	The Arcade, Ripon	HG4 1AG	10am-3pm
10/10/2022	St Peter’s Church	Cambridge Road, Harrogate	HG1 1PB	10am-1pm
11/10/2022	St Peter’s Church 12pm-3pm
12/10/2022	St Peter’s Church 1pm-4pm
13/10/2022	St Peter’s Church 10am-4pm
13/10/2022	Harrogate Farmers Market	Cambridge Street, Harrogate	HG1 1PB	10am-4pm
14/10/2022	Boroughbridge Community Library	17, St James Square, Boroughbridge	YO51 9AR	TBC
14/10/2022	St Peter’s Church	Cambridge Road, Harrogate	HG1 1PB	12pm-3pm
15/10/2022	10am-1pm
20/10/2022	Nidderdale Community Hub	Station Square, King St, Pateley Bridge	HG3 5LE	10am-2pm
21/10/2022	Knaresborough Library	40 Market Place, Knaresborough	HG5 8AG	10am-2pm
26/10/2022	Masham Community Office	Little Market Place, Masham	HG4 4DY	1pm-3pm
02/11/2022	Ripon Community House	Sharow View, 75 Allhallowgate	HG4 1LE	12.30-3.30pm
25/11/2022	Ripon Cathedral Christmas Fair	Minster Road, Ripon	HG4 1QT	9.30am-4.30pm
26/11/2022 Ripon Cathedral Christmas Fair

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

On 1 April 2023, North Yorkshire Council will replace the eight councils currently delivering public services in North Yorkshire. NYCC are kick-starting North Yorkshire’s biggest countywide conversation, Let’s Talk, this autumn to understand how the public are feeling, what their priorities for their local areas are and to get their feedback to help inform decision-making for the new North Yorkshire Council.

The ‘conversation’ starts on 26 September with the launch of ‘Let’s Talk Local’ engagement, finding out which local topics are most important. Later in the autumn, NYCC will be asking the public for their views on the budget for the new council to help inform decision-making, as well as taking the proposed Devolution deal for York and North Yorkshire forward for public consultation (subject to political decision).

Ripon Rotary Sponsored Walk 2022
Saturday 1 October 2022, starts at 10:00am at Ripon Cathedral

The sponsored walk covers ten miles starting and finishing at Ripon Cathedral (or as an alternative, five miles, finishing at the Community Link Walled Garden where refreshments will be available).

On completion, you will have experienced a healthy, interesting and scenic walk and you will have helped many through your sponsorship of Rotary’s nominated charities (Ripon City of Sanctuary and Ripon Walled Garden).
 

New Friendship Café for Older People
Starting 28 September, 1.30pm – 3pm and then 1st and 3rd Wednesday each month.
Holy Trinity Ripon

Craft, music, guest speakers, films, quiz.
£3 entrance fee includes tea/coffee and cake and lucky dip.
For more information or to book a place, phone Home Instead on 01423 774490 and ask to speak to Karen or Sheena.
 

 Citizens Advice North Yorkshire (CANY)

 
CANY is part of the Citizens Advice charity network providing free, confidential, impartial advice, helping find a way forward, whatever problem people face, especially with rising costs.

Please advise anyone struggling not to let things build up. The sooner a call is made to the Freephone Advice line 0808 278 7900 (9.00 to 4.30 Monday to Friday), the sooner the first steps can be taken.  The line is busy but calls are answered by an adviser who can help, so please encourage people to try again and they will get through.
 
There are drop-in sessions at the Harrogate office 10.00 – 12.30 on Fridays.

There are outreach services available at Ripon library (first Tuesday of the month) and at Allhallowgate Church in Ripon (last Tuesday of the month). There is a monthly outreach at Masham Community Office (first Thursday) and another at Nidderdale Plus (second Thursday by video link). Request for advice at an outreach venue can be made via the Advice line.

Using fraud figures provided by the. National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, this edition of the Metropolitan Police’s little (60 page!) booklet highlights the most common frauds people are currently falling victim to.

The Little Book of Big Scams 5th Edition

North Yorkshire ‘walk-in’ vaccination clinics

As part of ongoing efforts to deliver the COVID-19 vaccination programme, the NHS and pharmacies are providing walk-in and pop-up clinics.

You do not need to be registered with a GP practice or have an NHS number in order to attend a drop-in clinic. If you have any questions about the vaccine, you’ll be able to chat on-site before you have it.

If you would like to book your vaccination appointment in advance (for first, second, third or booster doses), please visit the NHS website.

There’s more information about accessing a vaccine, here.

Details of who can get a COVID vaccine are available on the NHS website

Just B – Hear to Help support line  

Feeling grief and loss after the death of someone you may never have met is natural – they may have been an important icon in our lives for many years, and we may have shared in important milestones in their lives. The news may trigger feelings, memories and emotions from a personal bereavement – whether recent or a number of years ago.

Grief is a natural response to loss. Sometimes the pain of loss can feel overwhelming. You may experience all kinds of difficult and unexpected emotions, shock or anger, disbelief, and profound sadness.

These are normal reactions to loss, and if you need to talk, the Hear to Help support line is available seven days a week, 8am – 8pm for children, young people or adults across North Yorkshire: (01423) 856 799.

The Energy Savings Trust – advice and information to help to save money on bills and reduce your carbon footprint.

Whether that involves being more energy efficient, generating your own renewable energy, switching to a green tariff or insulating your home to keep the heat in, the Trust has advice and information to help.

Need help with Winter fuel costs?
 
Winter Fuel Payment will usually be paid automatically without claiming. However, if a person has never had a Winter Fuel Payment before they will need to claim if they do not get benefits or State Pension. The form is here.