Opposition Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Cllr Paula Widdowson said legal routes for getting rid of household waste were being blocked off amid a rise in fly-tipping.

Cllr Andrew Waller, Liberal Democrat ward member for Westfield, said his party’s proposal for community skips would help households without cars to dispose of rubbish.

City of York Council’s Labour environment spokesperson Cllr Jenny Kent said York had one of the lowest levels of fly-tipping in Yorkshire and recently-created Neighbourhood Caretakers were already bringing positive results.

It comes as council figures showed there had been 2,807 incidents of fly-tipping reported in York in the nine months since April last year.

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The figure compares to 2,954 in the year up to the end of March 2025, 2,500 in 2023/4 and 2,368 in 2022/3.

The Liberal Democrats put forward proposals for community skips for people to throw away their household waste in areas where fly-tipping is an issue in their alternative budget proposals.

Proposals to spend £52,000 on the skips tabled along with other Liberal Democrat budget amendments were voted down on Thursday, February 12.

The council’s ruling Labour group’s budget for 2026/7 which was voted through included an extra £90,000 for Neighbourhood Caretakers which launched in September.

The council team responds to issues including fly-tipping following in response to reports from residents and councillors.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Widdowson said the rise in fly-tipping also came as fees for the council’s Garden Waste Subscription Service had risen to £52.

The opposition’s deputy leader and environment spokesperson said: “For many residents, particularly those without cars, older residents, or people on low incomes, getting rid of waste has become much more difficult and when legal routes are blocked off, fly-tipping goes up.

“Community skips are a targeted response, put them in the places that are worst affected, give people a legal, accessible way to dispose of waste, and you reduce fly-tipping, clean up neighbourhoods, and save money in the long run.”

Westfield’s Cllr Waller said ‘tidy-up vans ‘ were also used to help residents clean up waste when his party ran the council with the Greens.

The Liberal Democrat said: “These initiatives are particularly beneficial for areas with low car ownership.

“The funding for community skips would have supported the reinstatement of this initiative, so it’s disappointing that Labour voted it down.”

York Council’s Labour Environment Executive Member Cllr Jenny Kent (second, left) with Neighbourhood Caretakers. Picture is from York Council

Labour’s environment executive member said the Liberal Democrats had not opposed hikes in green waste charges in the budget meeting.

The Liberal Democrats proposed spending £100,000 to discount some of the charges.

Cllr Kent said: “The Liberal Democrats have shown in their budget proposals that they support the green waste collection charge and has no intention of reversing it, so their criticism is hypocritical at best.

“While any fly-tipping is too much, York has one of the lowest levels of fly-tipping in Yorkshire.

“The council’s waste team do a great job, responding quickly to incidents such that at the end of 2025, only two live reports required clear ups.

“With the launch of a new Neighbourhood Caretakers team last year, Labour is cleaning up our neighbourhoods and residents are already seeing the positive results.”

The news comes as part of a wider shake-up of costs following a government pledge to deliver an average £150 cut to household energy bills.

Latest industry forecasts indicate that Ofgem will reduce the energy price cap by £117 to £1,641 per year for a typical dual fuel household.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said in November that savings would be achieved by scrapping the Energy Company Obligation (Eco) scheme, which was introduced by the previous Conservative government.

However, not all customers should expect a direct £150 discount, as actual savings will vary based on household size and energy usage.

British households set for lower energy bills

Ned Hammond, deputy director of customer policy at Energy UK, said: “At a time when many households are struggling with their bills, action taken by the Government to provide a considerable discount on energy bills is hugely welcome.

“While the saving will be £150 for the average household, it is important to note that the discount is applied to the unit rate.

“Therefore, households will experience significantly different savings depending on their energy consumption, some much higher and others substantially lower than £150.

“In addition, other moving parts, such as network charges and wholesale costs, mean energy bills will not necessarily fall in line with the saving provided.

“Indeed, the price cap is projected to drop by around £115 from April 1.”

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— Ofgem (@ofgem) February 20, 2026

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Much of the reduction is expected to come through a lower price per unit of electricity, and households are being advised to watch for updates from their suppliers following Ofgem’s formal announcement.

Cornwall Insight, an energy consultancy, estimates that the changes will reduce the cap by around £145 per year once VAT and pricing adjustments are included.

Some of the savings have been offset by higher charges related to the operation and maintenance of Britain’s energy networks.

Wholesale prices have risen slightly since December, with the cost of gas particularly volatile due to “geopolitical factors.”

Emily Seymour, energy editor at consumer group Which?, said: “Households can expect a significant cut to their energy bills in April, which will come as a relief to millions of people struggling with cost-of-living pressures.

“The bulk of this change is expected to be applied to your electricity price per unit, so your exact savings will depend on your usage.

“Look out for communications from your energy provider in the coming weeks to see how it will affect your bills.”

Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “We know that energy bills can be confusing and trying to decide when to switch tariffs or change supplier is a big decision which can overwhelm people.

“As well as setting the price cap, Ofgem should play a greater role in ensuring that the tariffs reaching the market are fair and don’t discriminate against specific customer groups.

“Sadly, the responsibility currently falls to households to pay careful attention to any changes in their unit costs and standing charges.”

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He urged households to note the changes in unit costs and standing charges, rather than focus on the headline “average energy bill.”

Cornwall Insight said it expects the cap to remain steady throughout 2026, with only a small rise forecast in July.

This stability is due in part to wholesale costs remaining lower than when Ofgem set the January cap level.

However, it noted that the cost of gas is particularly volatile due to “geopolitical factors.”

The Princess of Wales cheered on the England national rugby team at her first public appearance since the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Kate waved to fans at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, 21 February as England were dismantled 42-21 by Ireland in the Six Nations.

It is the princess’s first public engagement since the uncle of her husband, Prince William, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The former duke spent 11 hours in police custody before being released under investigation.

Wharram Percy in the Yorkshire Wolds is one of the largest and best preserved of its kind in Britain (and there are around 3,000 of them).

The area located 45 minutes by car from York, is also said to be “undoubtedly the most famous” as for more than 60 years, “archaeologists have pioneered new techniques to understand what life was like in the village and why it was eventually deserted,” English Heritage explains.

Wharram Percy can be found on the side of a remote and beautiful valley within the popular landscape.

English Heritage adds: “The village was continuously occupied for six centuries before it was abandoned soon after 1500.

“Today you can trace the outlines of many lost houses on a grassy plateau above the substantial remains of the church and the millpond.”

It’s thought the now deserted medieval village was founded in the 9th or 10th century, but it “flourished” between the 12th and early 14th centuries.

This was when members of the “noble” Percy family lived there.

However, by the early 16th century, it was “almost deserted, as a result of gradual abandonment and forced evictions”.

The history experts said: “The ruined church is the last standing medieval building.

“Around it are the grassed-over foundations of two manor houses and about 40 peasant houses and their outbuildings.

“Since 1948 the settlement has been the focus of intensive research, which has made it Europe’s best-known deserted medieval village.”

Read more about what we know of Wharram Percy’s decline so far, and how it became the abandoned village it is today, via the English Heritage website.

North Yorkshire deserted medieval village is a ‘lesser-known gem’

A local travel content creator who is known for showcasing North Yorkshire recently recommended it as one of the four hidden corners of the county you need to explore.

The village was continuously occupied for six centuries (Image: Tripadvisor)

Wharram Percy was included alongside The Wainstones in the North Yorkshire Moors and Hardraw Force in the Yorkshire Dales.

In a TikTok video, @adventures.in.yorkshire shared: “From peaceful walks and hidden waterfalls to ancient abbeys and medieval ruins… these are 4 of my favourite lesser-known gems in North Yorkshire.

“The kind of places where it’s quiet, beautiful, and you feel like you’ve stumbled across something special.”

Over on Tripadvisor, visitors said the deserted medieval village is a “fascinating” place that is “worth the effort to get there”.

Someone wrote: “After parking in the small car park we followed the signs to the medieval village!

“Our young grandsons thankfully had their wellies with them, as it was rather muddy in places on the walk.

“Fascinating insight to the past! Well worth a visit if you are in the area, and the views are beautiful.”

Another posted: “Great walk with the dog. Parked in the free car park and walked downhill on the path to a cow field. Crossed over into the fields of Wharram Percy.

“Lovely walk around and interesting to imagine how it once was all those years ago.

“The walk back was uphill and quite a trek. We really enjoyed it. It’s a small historical site, sometimes people expect too much. We loved it.

“Nice walk out and then to the Stone Trough Inn for lunch.”

This person commented: “We absolutely loved this place. Yes it’s a walk to get to it, it’s up hill back, but we think it is worth a visit if you are in the area.

“It is well preserved and stunningly beautiful.”

Who owned Wharram Percy and how did the village get its name?

By 1086, and thanks to William the Conqueror, it’s thought some of the land at Wharram was given to William de Percy, “an important Norman baron”, from whom the Percy Earls and Dukes of Northumberland, with castles at Warkworth, Alnwick and elsewhere, were descended, reports English Heritage.

It further detailed: “The Percys who acquired the lordship of Wharram were a minor branch of this family, and their main landholding was in Bolton Percy, south-west of York.

Wharram Percy can be found on the side of a remote and beautiful valley in the Yorkshire Wolds (Image: Getty Images)

“By 1176 one William Percy had acquired half the large landholding of the Chamberlain family (which had belonged to Osbert the Sherrif), making him the major owner in the village.

“The building of the South Manor, the foundation of the adjacent planned row of peasant houses, and improvements to the church all probably represent signs of the Percys’ growing ascendancy.

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“In 1254 Henry Chamberlain sold his remaining rights in Wharram to Peter Percy I, making Percy all-powerful within the village.

“The name Wharram Percy probably came into use soon after.”

Have you discovered Wharram Percy, or is it the first time you have heard about it? Let us know in the comments below.

Britain’s Got Talent returned to screens on Saturday, with a former finalist taking to the stage

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Fans of Britain’s Got Talent are only just realising that tonight’s (Saturday, February 21) golden buzzer act has appeared in a final before.

The hit talent competition has returned to ITV for its 19th series, with thousands of hopefuls gracing the audition stage in the hopes of winning £250,000 and landing a spot at the Royal Variety Performance.

They will be aiming to impress judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and KSI, who has replaced Bruno Tonioli on the judging panel this year.

As with previous years, the contestants take to the stage with their act, hoping to secure a “yes” from at least three judges. But they could also get the chance to sail straight through to the semi-finals if they manage to get a golden buzzer from either the judges or Ant and Dec.

The first golden buzzer took place in tonight’s opening episode. During the instalment, the judges were left speechless after watching wheelchair aerialist Paul Nunnari perform a spellbinding routine.

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READ MORE: Britain’s Got Talent star’s awkward reaction to KSI’s music careerREAD MORE: Britain’s Got Talent’s Amanda Holden makes cheeky jibe about co-star

Paul climbed up a pair of silk ropes whilst buckled into his wheelchair, climbing until he was almost in the rafters. A woman then came onto the stage to start swinging around the silks from the bottom, causing Paul to be spun around in the air.

For the next part of his act, Paul put his head through a loop so that he was spinning around, attached to the silks with nothing but his neck.

The crowd went wild after the audition ended, with Simon saying, “That’s actually one of the most incredible things,” before pressing the golden buzzer.

Some BGT fans might be surprised to learn that this isn’t the first time that Paul has appeared on the talent show. He previously reached the final of Australia’s Got Talent in 2013 with the same act.

That’s not all: Paul is also a well-known disabled track and field athlete who has represented Australia in three consecutive Paralympic Games and three IPC Paralympic World Championships. In 2018, he impressively set a Guinness World Record for the most 360-degree rope rotations in a wheelchair in one minute with 77 spins.

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“Knew I’d seen this bloke in a wheelchair before he used to dress as superman like he did on Australia Got Talent,” one viewer wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Other BGT viewers quickly shared their reactions to Paul’s act on X, with one person writing: “Paul Nunnari is living proof that anything is possible! Disability doesn’t define you. What an inspiration! I AM SHAKING! WHAT AN AUDITION! Possibly one of the best Golden Buzzers on this show. That was so unique.”

Another added: “OMFG Paul Nunnari, the disabled guy on the silk was INCREDIBLE! A very well deserved Golden Buzzer. Well done Simon,” while a third said: “OH MY GOD!!!! Paul Nunnari just did the IMPOSSIBLE!!!! My heart was pounding, and I was just in awe!!”

A fourth fan echoed the sentiment, saying, “So glad Paul Nunnari got the Golden Buzzer. That is real talent right there. What he was able to do despite being wheelchair bound is nothing short of incredible, and if he were to win this year’s series, it would be extremely well deserved.”

Britain’s Got Talent airs on ITV1 and ITVX

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Stuart Alderson has urged people to familiarise themselves with the countryside code to stop livestock from being attacked and killed by dogs.

The NFU Mutual said this week it estimates that farm animals in the North West of England worth £195,000 were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in 2025, a 49 per cent rise compared to the previous year.

The Bolton News has previously reported on how Stuart, a farmer in Ainsworth, has had sheep killed or left seriously injured as a result of such attacks.

Speaking this week, he said: “It causes me extra work just to keep my sheep safe from them.”

“When it’s a high population time for dog walkers like holidays, weekends, things like that,

“I know there’s going to be more dogs out, there’s also going to be people who don’t come out that often who are unfamiliar with what they should be doing with their animals.”

He has previously warned that pet owners are not always aware of a dog’s instinct to chase livestock and even if the sheep is not attacked it could cause her harm.

Stuart, has said that most dog owners do obey the code, but urged all to ensure their dogs are on leads when walking through fields.

NFU Mutual survey of 1,407 dog owners revealed 57 per cent let their dogs off leads in the countryside. But alarmingly, one in 10 admitted their dog has no recall while 44 per cent said their dogs came back only ‘some’ or ‘most of the time’.

Stuart Alderson Image: NQ

One in 20 dog owners confessed their dogs had chased livestock, and more than three-fifths felt that other dog owners in their area did not treat livestock worrying as a serious issue.

Despite this, 72 per cent highlighted they were not actively taking steps to prevent their dogs from chasing and almost two-thirds said they do not believe their dogs are capable of harming or killing animals.

This comes as the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act was passed earlier this year, following prolonged industry campaigning, granting police enhanced powers to address dog attacks on farm animals in England and Wales.

NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist, Hannah Binns, said: “As the lambing season gets underway, a time when pregnant ewes and newborn lambs are vulnerable, it is deeply concerning to see the estimated cost of livestock worrying rise to nearly £2 million in 2025.

“As a sheep farmer’s daughter, I know first-hand the hard work, long hours and emotional investment that goes into the lambing season. For farmers and their families, witnessing these horrific incidents or finding injured or dead livestock after an attack can be utterly heartbreaking.

“Farmers across the UK are living with the constant fear of repeat incidents, which cause immense suffering to livestock and can traumatise all involved in dealing with the aftermath. Anecdotally, we continue to hear reports of dogs injuring or killing sheep while owners are either unable to control their pets or are nowhere to be found.

“Ignoring the risks is never an option; regardless of breed, size, or temperament, all dogs can chase, injure or kill livestock. Even without physical contact, the stress of being chased can lead to exhaustion and stress, and in some cases separate young lambs from their mothers, which can lead to them being orphaned.

“It is crucial dog owners act responsibly by keeping their pets on leads wherever livestock may be nearby to prevent these needless attacks. If there is an incident, we urge those involved to do the right thing by informing a local farmer and reporting it to the police, so that any injured animals are not left suffering in pain.”

Darlington Borough Council and Citizens Advice Darlington have been recognised for their joint work on the Benefit Entitlement Action Team (BEAT) partnership, earning a place on the shortlist for the 2026 LGC Awards in the Public/Private Partnership category.

Out of 74 entries, just nine partnerships have been shortlisted in the category.

Councillor Jim Garner, cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “This is fantastic news.

“We are extremely proud to work with Citizens Advice Darlington, whose team works so hard to ensure people receive the financial support they’re entitled to.

“The LGC Awards shine a light on the people who make a real difference, and this shortlisting, especially from so many, reflects the dedication of everyone involved across both organisations.”

The BEAT partnership, relaunched in October 2024, has supported residents in accessing £3.3 million in extra income to date.

The scheme has achieved a 95 per cent success rate on claims and 85 per cent on appeals.

Helen Howson, chief executive of Citizens Advice Darlington, said: “The council’s support has been vital.

“Quite simply, BEAT would not exist without it. We are delighted our partnership has been recognised, but there’s still so much more work we must do.

“Many residents are still missing money that belongs to them.

“We are determined to make sure it reaches the people who need it most.

“Together, the organisations act as a lifeline for people struggling with the cost of living.

“BEAT really is a life changing partnership.”

Addressing inequalities is one of the core principles of the Council Plan for 2024–27.

Residents who need support can contact BEAT by emailing beat@citizensadvicedrc.org.uk or calling 01325 466888.

Callers are asked to leave a message, and a member of the team will return their call.

The winner of the LGC Public/Private Partnership Award will be announced on Wednesday, June 10.

NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers for imprisoned British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell are fighting the requested release of 90,000 pages related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and Maxwell, saying a law used to force the public release of millions of documents is unconstitutional.

The lawyers filed papers late Friday in Manhattan federal court to try to block the release of documents from a since-settled civil defamation lawsuit brought a decade ago by the late Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre against Maxwell. The Justice Department recently asked a judge to lift secrecy requirements on the files.

Maxwell’s attorneys said the Justice Department obtained the documents — otherwise subject to secrecy orders — improperly during its criminal probe of Maxwell. They said the documents include transcripts of over 30 depositions and private information regarding financial and sexual matters related to Maxwell and others.

Some records from the year-long exchange of evidence in the lawsuit battle were already released publicly in response to a federal appeals court order.

Maxwell’s lawyers say a law Congress passed in December to force the release of millions of Epstein-related documents violates the Constitution’s separation of powers doctrine.

“Congress cannot, by statute, strip this Court of the power or relieve it of the responsibility to protect its files from misuse. To do so violates the separation of powers,” wrote the lawyers, Laura Menninger and Jeffrey Pagliuca about the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

“Under the Constitution’s separation of powers, neither Congress nor the Executive Branch may intrude on the judicial power. That power includes the power to definitively and finally resolve cases and disputes,” the lawyers added.

The release of Epstein-related documents from criminal probes that began weeks ago has resulted in new revelations about Epstein’s decades-long sexual abuse of women and teenage girls. Some victims have complained that their names and personal information were revealed in documents while the names of their abusers were blacked out.

Members of Congress have complained that only about half of existing documents, many with redactions, have been made public even as Justice Department officials have said everything has been released, except for some files that can’t be made public until a judge gives the go-ahead.

Giuffre said Epstein had trafficked her to other men, including the former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. She sued Mountbatten-Windsor in 2021, claiming that they had sex when she was 17.

He denied her claims and the two settled the lawsuit in 2022. Days ago, he was arrested and held in custody for nearly 11 hours on suspicion of misconduct in having shared confidential trade information with Epstein.

In a memoir published after she killed herself last year, Giuffre wrote that prosecutors told her they didn’t include her in the sex trafficking prosecution of Maxwell because they didn’t want her allegations to distract the jury.

Maxwell, 64, was convicted in December 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Epstein took his own life in a federal lockup in August 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell was moved from a federal prison in Florida to a low-security prison camp in Texas last summer after she participated in two days of interviews with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

Two weeks ago, she declined to answer questions from House Oversight Committee lawmakers in a deposition conducted in a a video call to her federal prison camp, though she indicated through a statement from her lawyer that she was “prepared to speak fully and honestly” if granted clemency.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday.

All three games have kicked off in the Premier League game this afternoon. 

The lineups one last time: 

Chelsea vs Burnley

Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, James, Chalobah, Fofana, Santos, Caicedo, Pedro Neto, Palmer, Fernandez, Joao Pedro

Burnley: Dubravka, Laurent, Worrall, Esteve, Walker, Ugochukwu, Mejbri, Humphreys, Edwards, Anthony, Flemming

Aston Villa vs Leeds

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, Douglas Luiz, Onana, Bailey, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins.

Leeds: Darlow, Justin, Ampadu, Struijk, Rodon, Gudmundsson, Bogle, Gruev, Stach, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin

Brentford vs Brighton

Brentford: Kelleher, Hickey, Ajer, van den Berg, Henry, Henderson, Janelt, Ouattara, Jensen, Lewis-Potter, Thiago.

Brighton: Verbruggen, Wieffer, van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu, Milner, Hinshelwood, Gross, Gomez, Welbeck, Mitoma.