Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.
A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.
Today, we look at the Ouseburn division which will see two candidates standing for election.
Richard Musgrave, Conservative
Richard Musgrave will be the Conservative candidate for the Ouseburn division on North Yorkshire Council.
Mr Musgrave is currently the councillor for the Escrick Division on North Yorkshire County Council.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Musgrave for comment for this preview, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
A Conservative party spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they were confident in their election campaign and pledged to continue investing in services across North Yorkshire if elected.
A party spokesperson said:
“The Conservatives are fielding an experienced slate of candidates. This is important as we argue the case for local services with settlements from Selby to Richmond and Whitby to Settle.
“That case includes continued investment in local services that has seen a new pool in Ripon and the start of a new pool and leisure centre in Knaresborough.
“We are investing in the Hydro to provide more leisure facilities for local people.
“We need to continue the investment in our conference centre adapting it to the modern conference and exhibition industry. The centre underpins thousands of jobs across the district and brings in an estimated £29m to the local economy.”
Arnold Warneken, Green Party
Arnold Warneken is the Green Party candidate for the Ouseburn division on North Yorkshire Council.
Mr Warneken has lived in Ainsty for 40 years and was the councillor for Marston Moor on Harrogate Borough Council in the 1980s.
He said he joined the Green Party as it “recognises the need for social and environmental justice”.
On standing for North Yorkshire Council, Mr Warneken said:
“I joined the Green Party because it recognises the need for social and environmental justice, through the empowerment of local communities, with positive solutions to the issues that challenge human survival.
“I am active throughout the year organising food parcels via Ainsty Community Larder, medicines deliveries, and transport for residents. I support road safety measures such as 20’s Plenty and better recycling facilities, and I have personally emptied overflowing dog-poo bins. I have also distributed 300 recycling bags & boxes to residents.
“I have a proven track record of getting things done as a volunteer so that I can achieve so much more as a county councillor.”
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
Election 2022: Boroughbridge and Claro candidate preview
Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.
A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.
Today, we look at the Boroughbridge and Claro division which will see five candidates standing for election.
Robert Windass, Conservative
Robert Windass is the Conservative candidate for the Boroughbridge and Claro division.
Mr Windass currently sits as a councillor on Harrogate Borough Council and represents the area on the authority.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Harrison for comment for this preview, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
A Conservative party spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they were confident in their election campaign and pledged to continue investing in services across North Yorkshire if elected.
A party spokesperson said:
“The Conservatives are fielding an experienced slate of candidates. This is important as we argue the case for local services with settlements from Selby to Richmond and Whitby to Settle.
“That case includes continued investment in local services that has seen a new pool in Ripon and the start of a new pool and leisure centre in Knaresborough.
“We are investing in the Hydro to provide more leisure facilities for local people.
“We need to continue the investment in our conference centre adapting it to the modern conference and exhibition industry. The centre underpins thousands of jobs across the district and brings in an estimated £29m to the local economy.”
Clark Pearson, Green Party
Clark Pearson is the green Party division on May 5.
Mr Pearson has lived in Knaresborough for the last 10 years. He has an interest in geography and architecture.
He said he was standing as he wants to protect the area from the climate emergency.
Mr Pearson said:
“It is one of the most picturesque places I know. With that in mind, why are we ruining, Knaresborough, Britain, and the world?
“The planet is suffocating under a blanket of plastic and being warmed by a thermal insulation of CO2, all caused by this selfish animal we call humans.”
Jon Starkey, Independent
Jon Starkey will be standing as an independent candidate in Boroughbridge and Claro division.
Mr Starkey lives in Boroughbridge and is self-employed, working in event sound, lighting and audio visual.
He said his priorities for standing include lower council tax, tackling litter and fly-tipping, improving bus services, stopping major housing developments and improving accountability of councillors.
He said:
“I am a non-political candidate who is not governed or regulated by the policies of the national parties, consequently,
“I can better represent the interests and the residents of the area by saying exactly what I think without the need to tow the party line, and bring a whole new common sense attitude to local government.”
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
Andrew Bell, Liberal Democrat
Andrew Bell will be the Liberal Democrat candidate for Boroughbridge and Claro division.
Mr Bell, who lives in Knaresborough, said he is standing to tackle environmental issues and “improve the area”.
He set up Knaresborough Wombles, a group which litter picking group in the town.
Mr Bell said:
“I believe that we need to see a significant improvement in recycling rates, significantly increased electric car charging points, improvements to house building standards and introduction of local renewable energy schemes such as more local hydroelectric generating schemes.
“It important that the county council does more to support improved high street economies for towns such as Boroughbridge.”
Noel Evans, Independent
Noel Evans will be standing as an independent candidate in the division.
Mr Evans, who lives in Goldsborough, said he was standing after having “direct dealings” with Harrogate Borough Council over a planning matter.
He said:
“I put myself forward having seen, first-hand through direct dealings with the Council on a local planning matter, how council officials and councillors (of both parties) are entirely focussed on matters deemed ‘important’ for the council with total disregard for the residents of the area, who as council-taxpayers pay their wages and allowances and vote to keep them in office.
“The new North Yorkshire Council needs a new start with new people. And local decision making rather than influence from national political parties. We need independent councillors.”
However, Mr Evans added that he had would also be urging people to vote for Mr Starkey as two independents stand in the division.
He said he was doing this because the area needed “independent and local decisions made for the ward by a councillor living in the ward”.
Election 2022: Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale and Tockwith candidate previewAhead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret is previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.
A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.
Today, we look at the Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale and Tockwith division which will see three candidates standing for election.
Andrew Paraskos, Conservative
The Conservative candidate for the Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale and Tockwith division is Andrew Paraskos.
Mr Paraskos is currently the Spofforth With Lower Wharefdale councillor on Harrogate Borough Council. He also sits on North Yorkshire County Council.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Paraskos for comment for this preview, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
A Conservative party spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they were confident in their election campaign and pledged to continue investing in services across North Yorkshire if elected.
A party spokesperson said:
“The Conservatives are fielding an experienced slate of candidates. This is important as we argue the case for local services with settlements from Selby to Richmond and Whitby to Settle.
“That case includes continued investment in local services that has seen a new pool in Ripon and the start of a new pool and leisure centre in Knaresborough.
“We are investing in the Hydro to provide more leisure facilities for local people.
“We need to continue the investment in our conference centre adapting it to the modern conference and exhibition industry. The centre underpins thousands of jobs across the district and brings in an estimated £29m to the local economy.”
Alexandra Marsh, Green Party
Alexandra Marsh is the Green Party candidate for the division on May 5.
Ms Marsh has lived in Cowthorpe for 35 years and runs an organic food business.
She is semi-retired and is currently responsible financial officer for Tockwith with Wilstop Parish Council.
On why she is standing for North Yorkshire Council, Ms Marsh said:
“I want the new NY Council to better support our rural communities, particularly our most vulnerable residents and our hard-hit small businesses, whilst reducing North Yorkshire’s carbon footprint as a matter of urgency.
“The Green Party is the only Party genuinely committed to safeguarding life on this very special planet.”
John Hall, Yorkshire Party
John Hall will be standing for the Yorkshire Party in the division on election day.
Mr Hall lives in Follifoot village near Harrogate and ran his own business for 30 years.
Between work and family time, he also taught cycling proficiency in local schools.
Mr Hall believes that Yorkshire should have “proper, powerful devolution through a regional parliament” in order to tackle issues such as transport.
He said:
“I support green transport and more rail-links. North Yorkshire’s bid for £116 million to fund bus improvements has been denied by Westminster. We’ll keep getting nothing until Yorkshire has proper, powerful devolution through a regional parliament.
“We have the same population as Scotland, an economy 50% larger than Wales, yet the rights and funding of neither.
“Local agriculture needs support during these difficult times but, like so many of Yorkshire’s past industries, Westminster does nothing to help.”
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
Election 2022: Bilton Grange and New Park candidate preview
Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret is previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.
A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.
Today, we look at the Bilton Grange and New Park division which will see four candidates standing for election.
Matt Scott, Conservative
Matt Scott will stand as the Conservative candidate for Bilton and New Park on May 5.
Mr Scott is a councillor on both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, the latter of which he was elected to last year.
On his priorities and why he is standing, Mr Scott said:
“I am a lifelong Bilton resident and, along with the Green candidate, the only candidate who lives in the ward.
“I have been a district councillor since 2018 and represented all of Bilton Grange and part of New Park as county councillor since I won the Bilton and Nidd Gorge by-election last year.
“My priorities continue to be protecting our green spaces such as the Nidd Gorge and the Oak Beck. I am working with my colleague Paul Haslam to oppose development off Knox Lane while challenging Yorkshire Water on outflows into the Oak Beck near the Hydro.
“I also worked with Paul and Andrew Jones MP to oppose the Nidd Gorge relief road proposal.”
He added:
“I have a track record of getting things done such as securing CCTV for the Iron Bridge, getting durable bus shelter panels for Jennyfield to deter vandalism and getting the Cinder Path resurfaced in Bilton.”
Tamsin Jade Worrell, Green Party
The Green Party candidate for Bilton and New Park will be Tamsin Jade Worrall.
Ms Worrall, who is a trans-woman and lives in Bilton, works as a a railway signaller following 36 years as operations management within food manufacturing.
She joined the Green Party in 2018 and has had a lifelong interest in politics.
Ms Worrall said:
“I believe we are on the verge of a climate catastrophe exacerbated by the awful policies of all recent national governments.
“I believe in local business for local people, free education for all, social justice and personal accountability. The time has come to do politics differently and put people first.”
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
Andrew Zigmond, Labour
Andrew Zigmond will be the Labour candidate for the division on May 5.
Mr Zigmond said among his priorities should he be elected would be to tackle anti-social behaviour in Bilton.
He said:
“I am standing as a Labour party candidate for Bilton Grange and New Park because I believe we need councillors in place who will bring about fundamental change, rather than more of the same.
“If I am elected I will work with the local police to ensure that antisocial behaviour is tackled robustly and that the safety of all residents is my priority.
“At the same time Bilton used to have a thriving youth club and I pledge to get this reopened.”
Monika Slater, Liberal Democrat
Monika Slater will be standing for the Liberal Democrats at the election May 5.
Ms Slater has worked in customer services for 17 years and is a volunteer at her local scouts.
She said among her priorities for standing will be to campaign for a town council for Harrogate.
Ms Slater said:
“I’m delighted to have been selected as the Lib Dem Campaigner for our area. If elected I’m determined to stand up for local people.
“With the Conservative Government in free-fall and an ineffective Conservative-run council, our area needs a fresh start and I’m determined to provide this.”
She added:
Teen girl referred to youth panel after Harrogate McDonald’s police attack“We ned to do more to support the most disadvantaged in our community addressing issues such as loneliness and social isolation, improved access to public transport and schools need additional covid catch up funding for children and young adults who have missed so much education. I will be campaigning for a new Harrogate Town Council.”
A teenager has been referred to a youth outcomes panel after two police officers suffered serious injuries at McDonald’s in Harrogate.
The police community support officers from Harrogate’s neighbourhood policing team were called to McDonald’s on Cambridge Road on April 1.
They were responding to reports that three girls, aged 13,14 and 15, had entered despite being banned due to anti-social behaviour earlier in the evening.
According to police, the group refused to leave when asked by officers and trouble flared at around 7pm.
One of the PCSOs suffered a suspected broken nose and the other sustained tissue damage to the cheek. Both received hospital treatment.
The three girls were arrested and bailed pending further investigation.
Read more:
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Police recruitment won’t be felt ‘for years to come’, says chief constable
- Two PCSOs seriously injured after attack in Harrogate McDonald’s
North Yorkshire Police today revealed one of the girls has been referred to a youth outcomes panel.
The panel, which is a partnership between police, North Yorkshire Youth Justice Service and York Youth Offending Team, decides what action, if any, is most appropriate to pursue.
The panel encourages a restorative approach with victims and looks to address the causes of the young person’s offending.
The two other girls remain on conditional bail while enquiries continue.
Election 2022: Fairfax and Starbeck candidate previewAhead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.
A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.
Today, we look at the Fairfax and Starbeck division which will see four candidates standing for election.
Sue Lumby, Conservative
Sue Lumby will be standing for the Conservative party in Fairfax and Starbeck division.
Ms Lumby is currently a councillor on Harrogate Borough Council and represents Harrogate Coppice Valley ward.
The Stray Ferret asked Ms Lumby for comment for this preview, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
A Conservative party spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they were confident in their election campaign and pledged to continue investing in services across North Yorkshire if elected.
A party spokesperson said:
“The Conservatives are fielding an experienced slate of candidates. This is important as we argue the case for local services with settlements from Selby to Richmond and Whitby to Settle.
“That case includes continued investment in local services that has seen a new pool in Ripon and the start of a new pool and leisure centre in Knaresborough.”
Gordon Schallmo, Green Party
The Green Party candidate for Fairfax and Starbeck is Gordon Schallmo.
Mr Schallmo has lived in Starbeck for the past 12 years and works as a draughtsman at a local steel construction firm.
He has been a member of the Green Party since 2015 and says his true passion is volunteering at his local nature reserve.
Mr Schallmo said he felt it was important to “do my bit” and look after the environment.
On why he is standing, he said:
“My main reason for standing is because I’d like to address the poor town planning that in recent years has seen money wasted on poorly thought-out schemes and rather than just complaining about it I thought I’d done something about it so here I am.”
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
Chris Watt, Labour
Chris Watt will be standing for the Labour Party in Fairfax and Starbeck division.
Mr Watt has lived in Starbeck for the last 13 years and currently works for the NHS.
He was previously parliamentary aide to a minister in the last Labour government and led government relations for an environmental organisation.
On why he standing, Mr Watt said:
“I’m proud of my area and want to give something back. I use our local shops, and facilities like Starbeck Baths, Fairfax Community Centre and Starbeck Library and want our area to be the best it can be.
“I want to continue to be a strong local champion for Fairfax and Starbeck, having led the campaign to re-open our local swimming pool and persuading the council to listen to residents and reject plans for more unsustainable housing that would increase traffic and worsen parking problems in our community.”
He added:
“On the doorstep, I’ve heard concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour and am already working in partnership with the police to tackle this blight on our area.
“Local businesses have also been badly hit by the pandemic and we are seeing too many empty premises on our high streets. Labour would push for support for local business.”
Philip Broadbank, Liberal Democrat
Philip Broadbank will be standing for North Yorkshire Council in the division for the Liberal Democrats.
Mr Broadbank is a councillor on both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council representing Starbeck.
He has lived in the Starbeck and Knaresborough Road area for most of his life.
Mr Broadbank said on standing for North Yorkshire Council:
Ex-England player appointed director of rugby at Harrogate“I am keen to campaign for the establishment of a new Harrogate town Council once Harrogate Borough Council is no more.
“Over the years I have been actively involved in many groups and organisations in the ward.
“I want to see better opportunities for young people in the area and greater encouragement to get them involved in local activities.”
Harrogate Rugby Club has appointed Martyn Wood as its new director of rugby.
The former Harrogate Grammar School student will replace David ‘Doc’ Doherty, who announced he will step down at the end of the season.
Wood joins Harrogate following a long playing career with Wasps, Bath and England. He also had coaching roles at Hull Ionians and Yorkshire Carnegie.
The club will end this season bottom of National League 2 North.
Read more:
The club has also announced that Sam Fox will continue as head coach next season.
Fox was appointed to the role at the start of this season after previously being head coach of the academy.
Aled Jones will take up the role of head of rugby transition.
Jones will be responsible for supporting young players as they move from the academy to senior rugby and will manage and coach the Georgians next season.
Election 2022: Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate candidate previewAhead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret is previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.
A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.
Today, we look at the Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate division which will see four candidates standing for election.
Michael Harrison, Conservative
The Conservative candidate for the division is Michael Harrison.
Mr Harrison currently sits on both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council as a councillor.
He is also the executive member for adult services and health integration on the county council.
On why he is standing, Mr Harrison said:
“I am the only candidate who lives in the Killinghall, Hampsthwaite & Saltergate electoral division.
“I have represented the area for 20 years as a parish, borough and county councillor. I have a track record of working all year round, not just at election time and will help deliver the new council for North Yorkshire if given the opportunity on May 5.”
Bill Rigby, Green Party
Bill Rigby is the Green Party candidate for Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate division.
Mr Rigby lives in Knaresborough with his family and became the first Green Party mayor of the town in 2016.
He worked as a consultant and teacher in eduction and set up a university in East Africa.
He said he spent his working life “fixing” things and feels this experience will help him being a councillor.
Mr Rigby said:
“It has become apparent that our society needs ‘fixing’, but the problems run deep, so the mending process involves us all working together, in harmony, with an eye on a common goal.
“I feel my experience is just right to help our district succeed in this endeavour. Old methods and ‘business as usual’ have led us in the wrong direction.
“I am now convinced that Green values and principles offer the best route to a happier future, not only for ourselves but also for all our companions and fellow creatures.”
Edward Clayson, Labour
The Labour candidate for the division is Edward Clayson.
Mr Clayson is a mental health nurse in the NHS and has lived and worked in Harrogate for 30 years.
He is currently branch secretary for the Harrogate Labour Party and has been a member for the past decade.
Mr Clayson said, if elected, his aim would be to get a “fair and equitable” service from the council for all.
He said:
“I am passionate about the NHS and, in particular, trying to improve mental health services in the Harrogate district
“I have been involved in local campaigns, including the Save Nidd Gorge campaign and also have campaigned for a mental health services.
“If elected for North Yorkshire County Council, I will work in the best interests of all residents in this ward hoping to ensure a fair and equitable service from the council to all.”
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
David Goode, Liberal Democrat
David Goode is the Liberal Democrat candidate for the division on election day.
A Knaresborough resident for 30 years, Mr Goode is currently a councillor on North Yorkshire County Council and Knaresborough Town Council.
He is also a member of Knaresborough Connectors, Community Land Trust and Chair of Governors at Aspin Park Academy school.
During his working life, he worked as an IT consultant and sales and marketing specialist. He has since retired.
Mr Goode said, if elected, he would help establish stronger rural and urban communities.
He said:
Approval finally granted to convert Harrogate’s Alexa House into home“Through NYCC Locality Fund I have supported the establishment of a new youth group for 7-to-11-year olds, provided funding to set up community gardening projects, helped fund two defibrillators in the town and in partnership with Knaresborough Connectors helped fund laptops for school children during the pandemic.
“The key to establishing stronger urban and rural communities is the provision of affordable public transport – subsidised – fairer integrated ticketing between bus companies and rail with integrated timetables between bus companies and rail.”
A plan to convert a Victorian guest house in Harrogate into a family home has been approved.
Alexa House on Ripon Road was sold last year for an undisclosed sum by former owner Sandra Doherty.
Ms Doherty, who owned the property for 15 years, sold the bed and breakfast after she stepped down as chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce to retire to Northumberland.
Previous applications from Ms Doherty to convert the property were turned down.
She had previously had an application to convert the guest house into seven apartments rejected in January 2021 after Harrogate Borough Council said it would not “contribute to local distinctiveness”.
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Now, a fresh application to change the former guest house has been given the go-ahead by council officials.
The plan submitted by the Architect Design Studio Ltd on behalf of Laura Harvey includes converting the outbuildings at the property into a garage and workshop area and reducing the size of the car park.
Alexa House was built in 1896 by the renowned art collector Baron Conrad Adolphus du Bois de Ferrieres.
It was built as a hunting lodge for its London-based owners to spend time enjoying Harrogate’s spa waters and riding in the nearby countryside.
Plan for five flats above Harrogate’s Oxford Street shop approvedPlans for five flats to be created above a Harrogate shop have been approved.
The proposal submitted by investment company Quarters of Leeds is for the space above the former Advantage Sports shop on Oxford Street.
The shop closed in October last year after being a fixture in the town centre for many years.
Under the plan, the first and second floors will be divided into five flats and the ground floor will be retained as a retail unit.
Four one-bedroom and one two-bedroom flats will be created.
Harrogate Borough Council has granted permission for the scheme to go-ahead.
Read more:
- Harrogate council housing company Bracewell Homes won’t pay any dividends this year
- Plan approved to demolish Harrogate social club for flats
- Plan to build 26 homes on former Masham livestock mart
The developer said in documents submitted to the authority that the plans would help with housing for the town.
It said:
“The proposal will help support the creation of much-needed housing, giving the high street a new lease of life, while still retaining part of its retail character.”