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24
May 2022
Final Harrogate borough mayor takes office
Conservative councillor Victoria Oldham has taken office as the final mayor of the Harrogate borough as other top roles were handed out during an official ceremony.
Cllr Oldham said it was her aim to bring “harmony and peace” during her one-year term before Harrogate Borough Council is abolished in April.
She was sworn in at the Royal Hall in Harrogate yesterday and took over from Liberal Democrat councillor Trevor Chapman, who served as mayor for the past 12 months.
Conservative councillor Robert Windass was also made deputy mayor.
Cllr Oldham, who represents the Washburn ward and works as an accountant and farmer, said:
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Also at yesterday’s meeting, re-elected council leader Richard Cooper appointed councillor Sam Gibbs as cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling.
Cllr Gibbs succeeds councillor Andy Paraskos who was previously a member of the seven-person cabinet.
Rebecca Burnett returns to planning
Cllr Rebecca Burnett, who previously oversaw the creation of the Harrogate district Local Plan as cabinet member for planning, was made chair of the planning committee.
She replaces councillor John Mann, who will remain a committee member.
Newly-elected mayor Cllr Oldham also passed her previous title of chair of the licensing committee to Cllr Ed Darling.
The role of the mayor is to chair full council meetings and represent the borough at ceremonies and events. They also raise money for charities and are required to put their political affiliations aside to be impartial.
Cllr Oldham has chosen Yorkshire Air Ambulance as the first of her nominated charities.
Speaking at yesterday’s meeting, Cllr Cooper said councillor Oldham will be an “outstanding mayor for all of our borough.”
He said:
Cllr Cooper, who will step down as the longest-serving leader of the borough council in April, also said the authority would continue pushing ahead with major projects during its final year before the new North Yorkshire Council takes over.
He said:
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