Just 3.5% responded to Harrogate town council consultation

Just 3.5% of homes sent information packs as part of a consultation on creating a Harrogate town council bothered to respond.

Letters were posted to each of the 35,431 households on the electoral register in the unparished area of Harrogate inviting them to have their say on the subjects. Only 1,250 did so.

A total of 75% favoured setting up a town council but the low response rate triggered concerns about the validity of the response.

Establishing a town council, wit yet to be determined powers, would create an additional annual council tax charge for the 35,431 homes affected.

A report to North Yorkshire County Council‘s Conservative-controlled executive on January 11 recommends it proceeds with moves to create a 19-person town council in April 2024. But it says:

“There was some concern raised about the apparent low response rate and whether this gave a sufficient democratic mandate to create new town councils.

“It is further noted that whilst the rates are low, it is not unusual with the background of similar reviews and the Association of Electoral Administrators consultant has advised that it is sufficient to proceed with the response rate at this level based on previous reviews.

“The decision being requested is whether to proceed with a further set of consultations on a preferred proposal and the response rate and details of that consultation can be considered before a final decision is made.”

No referendum

The county council is also likely to ignore a plea by Harrogate Borough Council to hold a referendum.

On September 21, the borough council unanimously passed a resolution:

“This council calls upon North Yorkshire County Council to hold a binding referendum of Harrogate town residents who could become constituents of a new Harrogate Town Council to determine whether such a council should be formed.”

The resolution also said information should be made available prior to the referendum as to which services a new town council could provide, together with an indicative level of investment required to give “democratic legitimacy” to the process.

But the report to the county council quotes leader Carl Les saying:

“it should be noted that it is not legally possible to hold a binding referendum to create a town council as the legislation does not provide for this and the council cannot fetter its discretion in this way.”

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Cllr Les adds the consultation, which will now proceed to a second stage, should merely “take into account” the views of the borough council. The report added:

“It is not clear that a referendum would elicit a different response. There is no requirement under the law for a referendum to form part of a community governance review to provide democratic legitimacy to the outcome.

“The additional cost of a referendum may not be justified if the outcome is likely to be the same as writing to all households.”

Free advice on running costs for North Yorkshire community buildings

Community and volunteer groups that run venues including village halls, sports and leisure facilities, theatres and museums in North Yorkshire are being offered access to expert advice on how to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions and save on running costs.

Up to 50 buildings will be included in a free study, which will show members of community and voluntary groups how to reduce the carbon footprint of their buildings, enabling them to become more energy-efficient and to save money.

The project will be funded by £75,000 from the government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is open to venues managed by the community and voluntary sector. Elderly people’s residential care homes are also included.

The study will create a decarbonisation plan for each building, highlighting opportunities to decarbonise properties through energy efficiency measures, such as double glazing and insulation and improved heating options, as well as considering renewable energy such as solar power and battery storage.

Property design company Align Property Partners, which is wholly owned by North Yorkshire County Council, will conduct the surveys between January and March next year.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for climate change, Cllr Greg White, said:

“Many community-managed buildings tend to be older and can be poorly insulated. They are often ‘off gas’ and rely on either expensive and high-carbon electric or oil and gas for heating.

“This study will show organisations where there are opportunities to reduce greenhouse gases and to save money.”

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Venue managers will be asked to provide information on heating costs and patterns of usage, and there will be a site visit to each building.

They will then receive free information on how to make decisions on any alterations needed and how these might be funded. There is no commitment to implement the findings.

For your venue to be considered for inclusion in the study, register your interest by January 10 by contacting Fiona Protheroe at FProtheroe@cravendc.gov.uk or on 01756 706230.

No.10: Historic moments to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II

In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2022, we look at the way our communities market the death of the Queen and the ascension of King Charles III.

The announcement of the death of Her Majesty the Queen on Thursday, September 8 led to a series of historic events across the Harrogate district. 

Among the first was a two-minute silence held by the Ripon hornblower following the setting of the watch at 9pm, less than three hours after the official announcement. 

Tributes quickly came in from dignitaries around North Yorkshire, including the Lord Lieutenant, Jo Ropner, who said: 

“I had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace when I was appointed as Lord Lieutenant in 2018, and I know from personal experience that every engagement was conducted with grace and genuine interest, that every person felt the spark from meeting not only their monarch, but a truly remarkable woman whose commitment to her role will be remembered for generations to come.” 

The following morning, official arrangements began to be put in place to mark the death of Britain’s longest-serving monarch. 

Church bells tolled for an hour at noon, while flags at public venues, including Ripon Town Hall, Knaresborough House and the Royal Hall in Harrogate, were flown at half mast. 

Flowers to queen at war memorial

Many churches opened books of condolence for people to sign, and invited people to visit and pray. Flowers were laid on the grass by the war memorial in Harrogate. 

A number of events were cancelled over the following days as a mark of respect. Sporting fixtures around the country were called off, including Harrogate Town’s match against Carlisle. 

Both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council cancelled all meetings for the week following the Queen’s death. 

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On Sunday, September 11, a ceremony was held by the war memorial in Harrogate. It saw the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate read the proclamation of the new King. 

A similar ceremony was held in Ripon, where Deputy Lord Lieutenant Richard Compton was on duty to read the proclamation. 

Over the following days, in unprecedented circumstances, some businesses altered their opening hours and some major events had to be changed too. 

Nidderdale Show was forced to move from its traditional Monday slot when the Queen’s funeral was announced for the same date. However, it later said the weekend show had proved a success and future events would be held on a Sunday. 

The funeral on Monday, September 19 saw several businesses close for the day, including Bettys tea rooms, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, and RHS Garden Harlow Carr. 

Many supermarkets closed all day, or opened from 5pm onwards. Bin collections were suspended for the bank holiday and council-run leisure centres were closed. 

The funeral was shown on big screens at Ripon Cathedral and the Royal Hall in Harrogate, as well as some pubs.

No. 9: The year active travel in Harrogate ground to a halt

In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2022, we look back at plans for active travel in the Harrogate district.

Few topics have generated more heat over the last 12 months than schemes to promote walking and cycling in Harrogate. But for all the sound and fury, little has changed.

A decision on whether to proceed with the £11.2 million Station Gateway still has not been made. Beech Grove reopened to through traffic after an 18-month experimental closure. New cycle routes on Victoria Road and Harrogate Road in Knaresborough remain a distant dream, even though funding is in place. Oatlands Drive is once again the subject of a consultation.

The only significant development was the opening of the first phase of the Otley Road cycle path — to almost universal condemnation.

Critics wonder why cycling gets so much attention; cyclists and environmentalists wonder when anything will ever actually happen. Here’s what happened to the key schemes.

Station Gateway stalemate

In January, North Yorkshire County Council indicated it would proceed with the scheme despite concerns from businesses and residents about the impact on trade and delays on the roads — but warned it would take a year longer than expected. The proposed starting date was put back to this winter.

Don Mackenzie, the council’s Harrogate-based executive councillor for access who hailed the gateway as the “greatest investment in decades” in Harrogate town centre, did not seek re-election in May’s local elections. His successor, Cllr Keane Duncan, said he remained committed to the scheme and planned to “crack on”.

Out: Don Mackenzie (left). In: Keane Duncan

In June, the council opened a second consultation on the scheme. A third would follow in autumn.

Summer also saw the commercial property firm Hornbeam Park Developments Ltd threaten a judicial review against the council’s handling of the gateway.

Soaring inflation sparked concerns in autumn the quality of the scheme could be compromised due to rising construction costs — a claim Cllr Duncan denied.

Months of silence suggested enthusiasm was waning until Cllr Duncan said this month the council remained committed to the project. But he added it was still evaluating the results of the third round of consultation and would ask Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors for their views before deciding whether to proceed.

The anticipated start date was put back another year to late 2023.

tempietto

Despite the delay, in December the council submitted a planning application to destroy the tempietto outside Victoria Shopping Centre to make way for changes to the public realm that would be part of the scheme, along with making some of Station Parade single lane to traffic and partly pedestrianising James Street.

The application was submitted even though a final decision on whether to proceed with the gateway project has not been taken. A council spokesman said the little temple would only be removed as part of the gateway works.

Beech Grove plans are beached

If ever a picture symbolised the state of active travel in Harrogate, it was the DPD van that got beached on a snowy Stray in February.

The van driver had attempted to evade the planters preventing traffic through traffic on Beech Grove.

DPD van stuck on the Stray on Saturday next to the Beech Grove low traffic neighbourhood.

The DPD van stuck on the Stray

Beech Grove is seen as a key route in wider plans to create an off-road cycling route from Cardale Park to Harrogate train station and the planters had been in place for a year to prevent vehicles using the street as a cut through between West Park, Otley Road and Cold Bath Road.

But the 18-month experimental order closing the road to through traffic expired in August and, with no new plans in place, traffic returned to how it was before.

The planters, however, have not been taken away. They remain by the side of the road pending another consultation.

This consultation did not start too well when one of three proposals put forward was described by Harrogate District Cycle Action as so dangerous it shouldn’t even be offered.

The proposal suggests making traffic heading out of town on Beech Grove one-way and creating an unprotected cycle lane on the opposite side.

Harrogate District Cycle Action said there wasn’t enough width for parking, a traffic lane, and a contraflow cycle lane. It added the contraflow cycle lane “would be a narrow ‘murder-strip’ putting cyclists’ lives in jeopardy from oncoming traffic.

A decision on what to do with Beech Grove and neighbouring streets is expected next year.

Otley Road’s ‘crazy golf’ design 

The first of three phases of the route finally opened in January. There were immediate concerns about the safety of a junction, which led to an agreement between North Yorkshire County Council and Yorkshire Water to widen the affected area.

As time went on there was further criticism of the design, ranging from the width of the cycle path not conforming to latest government guidance to the route zig-zagging between the highway and shared pedestrian routes.

Otley Road cycle path

Rene Dziabas, chairman of Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents’ Association, described it as like “crazy golf construction”.

He said a survey of residents and businesses along Otley Road revealed “very heavily negative” attitudes, with only two positive comments received.

The council staged an at-times heated meeting to discuss the latest proposals for Otley Road and Beech Grove in October but some residents did not receive letters from the council about the event before it took place.

There is little prospect of work starting on phases two and three anytime soon. A contractor has yet to be appointed for the second phase and funding has not been secured for phase three.

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Harrogate Town set for Christmas Yorkshire derby at Bradford

Harrogate Town are set for a Christmas Yorkshire derby as they travel to Bradford City tonight.

Simon Weaver’s men will take on the Bantams at Valley Parade for their third meeting of the season.

Town will be hoping for a repeat of November’s FA Cup first round tie, where they knocked City out after a 1-0 victory.

However, the Bantams will be expecting to build on their 2-1 win at the EnviroVent Stadium back in October.

The two teams are having contrasting seasons with Bradford pushing for a play-off place under Mark Hughes while Town have picked up form and are looking to pull further away from the relegation zone.

Weaver is hoping that Alex Pattison will be fit for the clash after returning to training this week after recovering from illness over Christmas.

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Max Wright will also be in contention after returning to the side as a substitute for the 3-2 Boxing Day win over Grimsby Town.

However, centre-back Kyle Ferguson looks set to miss the game after picking up a knee injury in training which saw him sit out of the Grimsby match.

Despite already winning at Valley Parade in the FA Cup this season, Weaver said Town have to remain focused for the league fixture this evening.

He said:

“It is a while ago now and we have played in a different style and a different way in recent weeks that has worked.

“But we will judge it in isolation. We know that they are a strong outfit. We just want to add to the points tally at the minute and focus on each game in isolation.

“We want to be really focused and be as determined as if we had lost the last few. We have to be right up for it.”

Kick off for Bradford City vs Harrogate Town will be 7.45pm tonight.

Five-vehicle collision blocks A59 at Blubberhouses

The A59 at Blubberhouses was blocked this afternoon when five vehicles were involved in a collision.

According to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log, the crash occurred when “a Range Rover had lost its wheel causing it to collide with four other vehicles”. It added:

“All occupants were out of the vehicles on the arrival of the fire service and suffered minor injuries, none required ambulance treatment.

“Crews made vehicles and the scene safe before leaving the incident with the police.”

Firefighters from Harrogate and Skipton were called at 12.02pm.

North Yorkshire Police tweeted about the crash, urging motorists to avoid the key route between Harrogate and Skipton.

⚠️ Traffic Alert ⚠️
The #A59 at #KexGill is currently blocked due to a multiple vehicle RTC. Please avoid the area while crews work at the scene. pic.twitter.com/bJswEpC4Tf

— N Yorks Police Traffic Bureau & Road Safety Team (@NYTrafficBureau) December 28, 2022

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Why Harrogate’s Stuart Perrin set up the UK’s first affordable boutique gym

 This story is sponsored by Coach.

Join the Fitness Revolution with Coach Gyms Harrogate

After operating a health and fitness setting in Harrogate years ago, Stuart Perrin spotted a gap in the market for a luxury gym that doesn’t cost the earth.

The former resident of the town is now the owner and CEO of Coach, the UK’s first affordable boutique gym.

Launching in Leeds in 2020, he went on to open a £1.5m site at Harrogate’s Hornbeam Park in January this year with more in the pipeline.

He said:

“There’s a real gap for a quality product at affordable rates in the town. There was an option to pay a small fortune or next to nothing.

“But there was a huge gap in the middle for people wanting quality but without the high prices.

“Coach itself is a boutique health and fitness concept, which basically means in a nutshell everything is really high-end; fixtures, fittings, experience.

“However, we offer it an affordable price. If you were going to a club like this in London, you would be paying £200 a month. Here you can join for as little as £29.

“It’s something very different and is the biggest gym in Harrogate as well. Since we opened in January, we’ve overtaken every other club from a membership size and perspective quite significantly.”

Coach boasts more than 200 pieces of state-of-the art equipment, as well as over 200 instructor-led fitness classes across four studios.

Surge Padel, where members can play one of the world’s fastest growing sports, can also be found on the first floor.

Mr Perrin added that there was a large focus on providing a female-friendly experience – a segment he feels is under-represented in the current market.

He said:

“Although we’re not a ladies only gym, we are definitely geared towards females when it comes to communication and experience – even down to the lighting.

“The lighting levels in Coach are quite low, a bit like a nightclub. Research went into the exact lighting level we need to achieve to make women feel less self-conscious.”

Since launching in Harrogate on January 21, Mr Perrin said the reception in the town had been “exceptional”.

He said:

“Within that time we have grown the business really fast and it has been really exciting. People come and see the product and unless they want a swimming pool, they wouldn’t join anywhere else. That’s not us being arrogant, I believe the value for money we offer is unrivalled.”

Coach Gyms is redefining affordable luxury. Join now from only £18.99 a month. Find out more and join the fitness revolution today!

No.8: Businesses opened and closed in 2022

In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2022, we look at the business which have opened and closed this past year.

It has been a year of change on the business scene across the Harrogate district.

Some long-standing brands closed their doors for the final time, while many new businesses arrived, and others changed hands.

Among the most high-profile arrivals was Leon, which opened its first Harrogate district branch in June. After disputes over signage in the run-up to opening, the chain restaurant hit the headlines again when, the day before it opened, its offer of free food in exchange for feedback from customers added to the queues of traffic on Wetherby Road.

Other hospitality brands arriving in Harrogate for the first time included Cosy Club, Giggling Squid and Pret. Meanwhile, the independent scene was also enhanced with the likes of the Sunshine Bakery in Boroughbridge and Husk Beer Emporium’s move to a bar in Harrogate.

Manager Erin Seelig at Cortado on Leeds Road.

Leeds Road in Harrogate proved a top spot for coffee shops, with Cortado and Folk both arriving this year, while Kings Road remained a popular place for independents as Lilypad and Pink Door opened.

There were also numerous arrivals in retail, largely from national chains: Jules B and Oliver Bonas both opened in central Harrogate, while Hotel Chocolat expanded to a larger premises.

Lidl was the major new name when it came to supermarkets, with its new Harrogate store opening in October to add to its existing Knaresborough branch. Tesco also opened its Killinghall convenience store, while Sainsbury’s Local began trading on Cambridge Street in Harrogate.

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There were a few close calls too: vegan restaurant Vertigo announced last year it would open in the bottom of the Everyman cinema building, but after months without any progress, confirmed in March it had gone out of business.

Tomahawk Steakhouse, meanwhile, said it planned to open in the former Solita Food Hall on Station Parade, but in its last update this autumn said it was still awaiting access to the venue:

“At the moment Tomahawk are tied up with legalities that have unfortunately been completely out of our control.

“We were all prepared and ready to go, but with liquidators from the previous owners comes a lot of red tape. We have had to sit on the sidelines whilst it gets thrashed out between the relevant parties.

“It is a shame because we would love to get going with everything and get open, but it’s completely out of our hands.”

A number of businesses reopened under new ownership this year, including some with new names. Among them was one of Harrogate’s oldest brands, Fattorini, which changed hands at the beginning of the year.

HG1 grill restaurant

Gino D’Acampo’s My Restaurant in Harrogate became Piccolino, another brand in the same group, while the Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant opened for the first time since the end of 2020, unveiling newly refurbished premises.

Elsewhere, Jespers Bar and Kitchen opened in the former Hustle and Co premises on Station Parade, and HG1 Grill and World Bar took over the former Bistrot Pierre site on Cheltenham Parade, which had been occupied by Samsons for just a few months at the beginning of the year.

Ruebery Flowers in Knaresborough became River and Rose under new owner Kirsty Wilson, while The Old Deanery in Ripon reopened following a refurbishment by Chris Layton and Rebecca Hill, who took over following its closure in late 2020.

The former Millstones restaurant on the A59 near Menwith Hill became the Outside Inn, while the Old Spring Well was relaunched as the Curious Cow.

Expansion

There were also successes for many established businesses across the district.

The Secret Bakery expanded from its Harrogate outlet to a second branch in Knaresborough, while bookshop Imagined Things moved to new premises on Montpellier Hill.

Prologue, Starling and Cold Bath Brewing Company in Harrogate all expanded their operations, as did Ripon’s Caffe Nero.

And it wasn’t just in retail and hospitality where new businesses arrived: Ebru Evrim opened its yoga studio on Harrogate’s James Street, while new gyms Coach and Lift added to the fitness scene in Harrogate.

This year has also seen some losses across the district, including long-standing businesses.

Catch – which had taken over and rebranded the former Graveley’s fish and chip restaurant on Cheltenam Parade – ceased trading in October.

Ripon’s Bambudda closed in July, following the closure of the Black a Moor Inn at Bridge Hewick in March.

Other hospitality businesses lost this year included Gron and Cafe M. Among the shops lost were the Refilling Station, Orvis and Sofa Workshop. Cocktail bar 63rd+1st was lost less than a year after opening on Harrogate’s Albert Street.

There was sadness among many young families as Brimham Rocks Activity Farm announced it would no longer be welcoming visitors to its barns and fields from September, though it continued to offer a mobile petting farm, reindeer hire and other activities elsewhere. Dozens of parents expressed their sadness on social media after the news was announced.

Finally, some prominent premises that used to be home to big brands still stood empty in 2022.

The former Debenhams building, which closed its doors for the last time in January 2021, had been earmarked for demolition, but plans to replace it with “high quality” apartments were withdrawn in May this year.

And the former Slug and Lettuce premises on Montpellier Hill has stood empty all year after closing in spring 2021. Plans were submitted in September this year to convert it into retail premises and apartments.

It is no doubt a challenging time in retail and hospitality, and 2023 will certainly bring more changes.

Having already reported on plans lodged to deliver new bars, restaurants and shops, the Stray Ferret will bring you all the news about new arrivals and departures throughout the year.

Paralympic champion among new trustees at Harrogate charity

New trustees have joined the board of a Harrogate charity, including a Paralympic gold medalist.

Laurence Whiteley MBE, who won gold at the 2016 Rio Paralympics in the mixed double scull, is one of two new members with disabilities to take on the role at Disability Action Yorkshire.

He is joined by Carl Howard, Colin McCorkindale, Kathryn Leigh, Peter McBay, Susanne Driffield, and Andrew Simister, who suffered life-changing injuries in an accident earlier this year.

Jackie Snape, chief executive of Disability Action Yorkshire, said: 

“We are delighted to welcome these ‘Magnificent Seven’ new trustees, among whom there is a huge amount of skill and experience.

“We are particularly pleased to have been able to recruit more trustees with lived experience of disability, meaning that more than 50 per cent of our trustees have either personal or family experience, something which we considered to be hugely important.

“Our new recruits will help ensure excellent governance as the charity moves forward, as we continue to empower and support the local disabled community.”

Laurence Whiteley MBE. Picture: Paralympics GB.

Laurence Whiteley MBE. Picture: Paralympics GB.

Owing to the retirement of several long-standing trustees, the charity conducted a full skills and experience audit, and as a result was able to recruit trustees with the necessary attributes.

The new trustees, together with existing ones led by Chair Neil Revely, will oversee exciting new projects, including the £7.5 million assisted living development currently under construction in its Claro Road residential care home site.

Pictured above backrow from left are Disability Action Yorkshire Chief Executive Jackie Snape, new Trustee Carl Howard, Chair Neil Revely, new Trustee Peter McBay and Trustee Guy Tweedy. Pictured front row from left are new trustee Andrew Simister, new Trustee Susanne Driffield, new Trustee Kathryn Leigh and Trustee Andrew Newton.

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Revealed: the Harrogate areas set for new council tax charge

Large parts of Harrogate, including Bilton, Starbeck and Jennyfields as well as central areas, look set to be hit by a new council tax charge.

North Yorkshire County Council said last week it would press ahead with plans to create a Harrogate town council after the results of an initial consultation revealed 75% in favour of the idea.

Areas covered by the new council, which will have 19 councillors, will face an additional charge on their council tax bills to pay for its services.

The sum is not yet known but Ripon City Council and Knaresborough Town Council currently charge £70.77 and £24.27 respectively for a band D property.

The areas facing new charges are:

A report on the consultation gave short shrift to calls by three respondents for Starbeck to get its own parish council. It said:

“No justification or detail was provided.

“It is considered that due to the small size of the area considered to be Starbeck, less than 6,000 electors, any parish council would not be in a position to provide services or amenities on the scale that could be provided by a much larger neighbouring Harrogate town council, potentially leading the the residents of Starbeck missing out on the opportunities to be provided by a larger town council.”

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How is council tax calculated?

Council tax bills in the Harrogate district are calculated by adding the sums charged for services by North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, plus any parish precepts.

Harrogate residents do not currently pay a parish precept because it does not have a town council.

This year’s Harrogate district Band D bill, minus any parish precept charges, rose by £72 to £2,079.59. This is how it was broken down.

The abolition of Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council on April 1 means the charge for their services will no longer exist.

However, the new North Yorkshire Council, which will replace them, has indicated it will charge Harrogate district households £23.47 less than the amount currently paid to the two councils.

The new Harrogate town council charge could mean devolution, hailed as a cost-saving exercise, could actually result in higher council tax bills.

However, a Harrogate town council is unlikely to be formed until May 2024 so any precept it charges will not feature in the calculations for council tax bills in 2022/23, which will be finalised in the new year.

Harrogate town residents have been spared a parish precept because they do not have their own town council, unlike other towns in the Harrogate district and the city of Ripon.

So the abolition of Harrogate Borough Council and likely creation of a Harrogate town council will affect them more than residents in places such as Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham, which already pay a parish precept.

In a report to the Conservative-controlled North Yorkshire County Council’s executive, Barry Khan, assistant chief executive (legal and democratic services) has recommended opening a second, eight-week consultation on creating a Harrogate town council on February 20.

The executive will meet on January 10 to decide whether to accept the recommendation.