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05

Aug 2020

Last Updated: 05/08/2020
Politics
Politics

Councillor urges rejection of £47m spend on Harrogate Convention Centre

by Tim Flanagan

| 05 Aug, 2020
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Independent Ripon councillor, Pauline McHardy says she cannot see evidence of economic benefit for rural areas from spending on Harrogate Convention Centre and calls on councillors to reject the proposal

hcc
Harrogate Convention Centre's was set to host the Conservative Party Spring Forum in early April.

An Independent  Ripon councillor is urging fellow councillors representing outlying areas of the Harrogate district, to vote against plans for a £47m redevelopment of Harrogate's conference and exhibition facilities.

Councillor Pauline McHardy claimed:

"If this gets the go-ahead, it will be a financial burden around the district's neck for years to come."


The three-times Mayor of Ripon added:

"I think it's totally wrong for Harrogate Borough Council to even be considering spending money of this magnitude, while there are so many other things that need support in places such as Boroughbridge, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Spofforth and here in this city."




Cllr McHardy said many areas require more council investment such as  social housing, particularly for the elderly, more town centre parking provision to accommodate the increase in cars brought by new housing developments and community bus services for those in rural areas who do not have alternative transport.



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She pointed out:

"We keep being told that the Harrogate Convention Centre brings economic benefit across the whole of the district, but I don't see evidence of that and people I speak with here and in Knaresborough feel the same.
"It's time for councillors of all political colours, particularly in the outlying areas, to think first about the people who elected them, before putting their hands up for more spending on the convention centre."


The proposals for Harrogate Convention Centre were set out at a virtual extraordinary meeting of the Harrogate Borough Council cabinet last Wednesday, when centre director Paula Lorimer said:

“We need this redevelopment not only to drive more conferences, but for the district and the community. We run school events, remembrance events, entertainment, orchestras and community groups.
“We do a great deal to support the community and the revenue we provide goes back into the council. What comes into us ripples out into the district. We need a successful HCC.”


This evening, a virtual extraordinary meeting of the full Harrogate Borough Council will be held at which elected members from across the district will vote on the HCC spending plans.