North Yorkshire Council

Our longest-serving employee has retired after a remarkable 53 years of public service. Domestic assistant Dot Hope retired last week at the age of 78. Colleagues, friends and relatives gathered to bid a fond farewell and celebrate Dot's remarkable milestone. Speaking about the highlights of her career, Dot said: “I am, and always have been, a people person. I love working with and for people." To read more, visit https://lnkd.in/e5c7q6RJ

You could save an average of £268 on your annual energy bill with the Big Community Switch. The Big Community Switch combines the purchasing power of thousands of households to save on household energy bills. The deadline for registration and acceptance is Friday, 11 April. Find out more at https://lnkd.in/eHgRP3S4

See the candidates who will stand in the upcoming Harrogate and Scarborough town council elections at https://lnkd.in/eGx-_ajw A total of 129 candidates will stand in the two polls, which will be held on Thursday, 1 May. Polling cards are starting to be delivered to residents who like in the areas eligible to vote.

Three artists have been commissioned to design a range of pieces in Catterick town centre. New artworks will include a series of entrance markers to welcome visitors, and a sculpture to encourage a moment of reflection in Shute Road and neighbouring Coronation Park. Members of the local community recently met artists Katayoun Dowlatshahi, Hazel Oakes, known as Nocciola The Drawer, and Steve Anwar from the Sapien Studio, to give their views and ideas. To read more, visit: https://lnkd.in/ec-pRmS5

The Whitby and Scarborough Park and ride services will open from Sunday. They provide an easy, affordable and convenient alternative to town centre parking. For more information, including ticket prices and opening hours, visit https://lnkd.in/e84Nsu2h

Our Household Waste Recycling Centres are now on their summer opening hours. They are open from 8.30am until 5pm everyday except Wednesdays. Please allow enough time to unload your waste before the site closes. Find your nearest site and the items they accept at https://lnkd.in/ev4NuFbK

⚠️ Scam warning. We're urging residents and businesses to be wary of rogue traders pretending to be working for us. Recently a cold caller visited houses in Ripon claiming be working with our highways team and offered driveway repairs with what he said was leftover road laying material. Our contractors will never cold call or dispose of unused materials in this way. To read more, visit https://lnkd.in/esgi7x94

New Town Councils are coming to Scarborough and Harrogate. If you are interested in becoming a councillor in these areas, you need to complete and return the nomination pack by 4pm on Wednesday 2 April. Eligible residents who live in these areas will be able to vote for members for these councils on 1 May. To read more visit https://lnkd.in/eJcrw__R

The traffic-free scheme on Whitby Swing Bridge which has been praised for supporting tourism in the town is set to restart next month. The bridge will be closed to traffic between 10.30am and 4pm daily during weekends in the school holidays as well as Bank Holidays and special events, with an exemption for buses. The first closures will come into force for the Easter school holidays on the weekend of April 5 and 6. Find out more at https://lnkd.in/eRZehRwM

A co-ordinated approach between a range of organisations has seen Temple Gardens in Ripon given a makeover. A partnership was formed involving our community safety team, North Yorkshire Police, Ripon in Bloom, the Ripon Together community group, the Ripon Business Improvement District and the National Trust to consider how the area, owned by communications company BT, might be improved. A Community Fund grant of more than £8,850 was received from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority policing, fire and crime team to help fund the project, with a further £6,200 coming from our commuted sums pot - funds gained from developers following the provision of new homes within the area. Along with help from students and volunteers, the funding has enabled paths to be cleared, dangerous branches to be removed, new gates and benches installed and the addition of new barrel planters with the aim of making the gardens safer and more inviting for everyone. Find out more at https://lnkd.in/ejk4SrGr