Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
19
Jan 2023
Council leader 'disappointed' after Harrogate Convention Centre funding refusal
The leader of Harrogate Borough Council has said he is “disappointed” at a government decision to reject its bid for £20 million to go towards the redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced last night more than 100 projects had been awarded a share of £2.1 billion as part of round two of its flagship levelling up fund.
However, the council’s bid to help fund the £49 million renovation of the town’s convention centre was refused.
It’s the second time the government has rejected funding for the project after the council requested financial support through the North Yorkshire devolution deal last year.
Cllr Richard Cooper, Conservative leader of the council, said he was “slightly surprised” at the government’s decision to refuse its bid.
He said:
Read more:
- New council chief questions future of Harrogate Convention Centre
- New board to review Harrogate Convention Centre operating model
- Government rejects £20m levelling up bid for Harrogate Convention Centre
Control of the centre will transfer to North Yorkshire Council on April 1, when Harrogate Borough Council is abolished.
Last week Richard Flinton, who will be chief executive of North Yorkshire Council, refused to commit to the £49 million redevelopment and said the conference and events venue needed to be vibrant and relevant in the face of competition from a new venue in Leeds rather than “an enormous drain on public finances”.
Criticism of levelling up fund
Meanwhile, the government has faced criticism of its levelling up fund from officials at the Northern Powerhouse Partnership — a partnership group between civic leaders and businesses in the north of England.
Henri Murison, chief executive of the partnership, said those areas which had missed out on funding would ask “searching questions” about the process of holding funding rounds.
He told BBC News:
Mr Murison, who is from Boroughbridge, added that bidding for funding also cost local authorities money.
He said:
0