As the shops open today Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of the borough council, will answer questions over the future of the town centre at a meeting this evening. The authority plans to introduce a “Buy Local By Bike” scheme, which has bemused businesses.
Politics
Harrogate businesses to grill council leader over town’s future
Businesses owners are set to grill Harrogate council’s leader over concern about the future of the town centre. Cllr Richard Cooper will join an online meeting of the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce tonight, which is expected to see questions on reopening...
Bilton by-election: every candidate announced
The election is taking place following the death of Liberal Democrat Geoff Webber. The six candidates are all hoping to join Conservative Paul Haslam as the second North Yorkshire County Council councillor for the ward.
Stray Views: Don’t turn the Stray into a beer garden
Other readers’ views this week include a call to consider two-way traffic on Parliament Street in Harrogate and criticism of a North Yorkshire county councillor who claimed covid death figures are exaggerated.
Withering attack on North Yorkshire Police Commissioner’s appointment
Simon Dennis has been appointed the police commissioner’s chief officer. Mr Dennis says he is prepared to tackle senior officers but a former head of the North Yorkshire Police Federation says he’ll take the force “back to the dark days”.
Tributes from across the Harrogate district paid to Prince Philip
Politicians, organisations and the Dean of Ripon Cathedral paid their respects to Prince Philip this afternoon, who died aged 99. Tributes were paid to the Duke of Edinburgh, who was commended for a “lifetime of service”.
Transport leader Don Mackenzie to step down next year
Councillor Mackenzie, who represents the Saltergate ward in Jennyfields, has been the council’s public face for numerous major transport projects in recent years. He will be 72 next year and says it is ‘the right time to call it a day’.
Five Harrogate council officers earning over £100,000 named in rich list
Today’s TaxPayer’s Alliance report lists every UK council officer whose total remuneration package exceeds £100,000. Chief executive Wallace Sampson (pictured), who earns over £125,000, tops the list in Harrogate.
Two weeks left to have your say on North Yorkshire reorganisation
The biggest shake up of local government in the region for decades is out for public consultation. Two different proposals have been put forward with both sides arguing that their plan represents better value for money.
Harrogate councillor’s country home plan deferred over concern it’s too big
Conservative councillor Margaret Atkinson wants to build a new four bedroom home with a two-bay car port on land in Kirkby Malzeard. However the proposed home is classed as an “agricultural workers’ dwelling” which brings with it rules on size.
Union concerns about Harrogate council staff having to use public toilets
Council staff working in Knaresborough Tourist Information Centre are due to move to the town’s Courthouse Museum where Unison fears the lack of toilets will force them to use public lavatories on Cheapside.
Senior Harrogate council officer who left suddenly paid £55,000
Paul Campbell, who was director of community at Harrogate Borough Council, left suddenly after the first national lockdown was announced in March 2020. The council’s statement of accounts show he was paid £55,000 as part of a compensation for loss of office.
County council to buy Cardale Park site for care facility
The land was earmarked for a mental health facility following the closure of Harrogate’s Briary Unit. But North Yorkshire County Council now plans to open a care facility on the site.
