Spring/Summer Newsletter 2026

 

North Yorkshire Recycling Centres Registration

NYC has introduced a scheme to restrict usage to NY residents and limiting the visits of Commercial vehicles, this will hopefully improve access, reduce congestion and generate savings up to £400,000.

 

For information on the scheme and How To Register visit: https:/northyorks.gov.uk/hwrc

 

Communal Areas, Overgrown Hedges

We continue to engage a Contractor to cut the grassed areas for which we are responsible and in autumn to clear leaves from the roundabout area. As a team we have carried out maintenance work to the Copse and refurbished the bench at Beckwith Head. We hope that both will be enjoyed by all.

 

We ask residents to cut back trees, shrubs and hedges on their land which border public footpaths, highways and pavements which could cause a hazard to pedestrians and road users.

 

Communications and Welfare

Our Defibrillators at the Smiths Arms and The Squinting Cat are monitored by members of the Parish Council and kept ready for use.

 

Under the leadership of Cllr David supported by our Parish Clerk we continue to develop our website to increase its interactive potential and usefulness to the community.

 

Emergency Plan

We have a statutory obligation to have in place an ‘Emergency Plan’ which provides basic information regarding infrastructure and contacts should a local disaster arise. Our plan is currently being updated.

 

Roads, Footpaths and Infrastructure

As in previous years we report potholes, blocked drains, broken signs and overgrown verges etc. to NYC and monitor progress monthly.

Our relationship with the NYC Highways Customer Communities Officer about our Road Works Safety Schedule continues although this is a disappointingly slow process. Traffic continues to ‘speed’ through the village and currently we are exploring the possibility of erecting a ‘Village Gateway’ feature on the verge opposite the junction with Shaw Lane. The discussion revolves around obtaining a street furniture licence and obtaining quotes. The purpose of the ‘Gateway’ is to draw the attention to the speed limit and that drivers are entering a village location.

An area of concern is the proposed provision of a new ‘full size’ roundabout to replace the existing mini version. We know that a planning application has been made(25/03390/RG3) but to date we have not been advised of any progress. We are aware that the Lady Lane/Whinney Lane development for 480 houses has a ‘Grampian’ agreement attached to it preventing the construction of dwelling houses and employment units until a scheme of highway mitigation at the village (called Pot Bank by NYC) roundabout has been submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority and the land necessary to construct the roundabout has been transferred to NYC.

 

Speed Sign

Our work with the Liquidators of TWM, the providers of our existing VAS machine continues. Currently we have applied to the liquidators for a ‘Consideration’ towards the replacement and or repair costs whilst simultaneously reviewing costs for a possible replacement.

 

Kex Gill Update

The next phases of the scheme require a number of temporary restrictions as per this link: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/news/2026/much-needed-kex-gill-scheme-enters-final-stages

 

Planning/Parish Boundaries/Call for Sites

This has been a busy year for responding to Planning Applications with four major applications falling within our Parish boundary. We have endeavoured to make considered responses which we hope reflects the concerns of Parishioners.

We have had meetings with Harrogate Town Council to explore the possibility of creating a Neighbourhood Plan. Such a plan would identify our thoughts on how and where future developments in our Parish would be acceptable and could help to preserve our village as an independent settlement. This work is very much in its infancy and would require many hours of work and a large amount of finance to establish a completed plan. At the P.C. Meeting held on 11 May a vote was taken not to pursue involvement in the Neighbourhood Plan due to the high cost and lack of any guaranteed positive outcomes.

We have successfully worked with NYC to retain the Harlow Grange development within our Parish boundary. However, this has resulted in our Parish being split into two wards (from 2027) but on the plus side provides us with access to two North Yorkshire Councillors to represent our concerns at County level.

We are aware that under the current NYC ‘call for sites’ initiative, as updated in January 2026, there are some sites within our Parish. We have been advised by NYC that this initiative has been reopened for a period of 6 weeks commencing 11 May 2026. In order to maintain our current geographical separation from Harrogate we are planning to meet with Cllr Graham Dixon, Harlow Wards representative on Harrogate Town Council, to explore if there is any value in organising a co-ordinated response.

 

Free Community Bleed Kit Awareness Training

A free 2 hour Course is available for local organisations, community groups and Parish Councils. You will learn how to deal and treat with different types of bleeding. Open to adults (19+), no previous experience required and all equipment is provided.

If your group would benefit from this training please get in touch with Lynne Holt Lynne.Holt@northyorks.gov.uk

 

Dark Skies Our Responsibility

Following International Dark Skies Week (13 to 19 April 2026) NYC are continuing to promote this cause. We’re very lucky to have beautiful skies in North Yorkshire, with both our National Parks designated as Internation Dark Sky Reserves. Everyone can help protect our skies by following the 5 principles of responsible outdoor lighting (https://darksky.org/resources/guides-and-how-tos/lighting-principles/)

 

North Yorkshire Community Messaging

This is a free email messaging service from North Yorkshire Police and the Office of the police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, providing information on policing matters relevant to your local community. Sign up at www.NYCM.uk to receive email alerts.

 

Parish Clerk

Mrs Jean Galloway having served as our Parish Clerk for 14 years is now wishing to ease her way into retirement. She will be much missed by all the existing Councillors and remembered with affection and respect by all serving and past Councillors.

This leaves the P.C. with the task of finding a replacement. This is a remunerated post and we are asking for anyone interested in joining us in this role to contact Jean on 01423 536232 or at clerk.beckwithshawpc@hotmail.co.uk, who will be happy to explain the role and help with the transition.

 

Thank you Jean for all your hard work over the years.

 

Parish Council Future

We are aware that over the next 12 months some of our Councillors will be standing down. We would be willing to talk with anyone interested in joining the Parish Council. The whole Parish Council (6 members) is up for election in May 2027 and if there is no quorate achieved (3 Councillors) the council will be run by North Yorkshire. A representative from the Moor Park, Harlow Grange and Howhill areas would be very welcome, but this is not a requirement. Please contact the Clerk, Mrs Jean Galloway for details.

 

We invite you to join our monthly meetings. The first 15 minutes of every meeting are set aside for Parishioners to come along and voice their concerns.

 

Next meeting dates are as shown on website www.beckwithshaw.org

kind regards,

Derek Spence                                              Chairman