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26
Nov 2020
Harrogate Conservative Association criticised for £10,000 business grant
The Liberal Democrats have said it was "inappropriate" for the Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative Association to accept a £10,000 grant aimed at small businesses struggling during the pandemic.
The conservative group insisted the grant was necessary because the pandemic made it unable to generate income through its usual "activities".
But the chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats said he struggled to see the similarities between the small, local businesses unable to open and a political group.
Michael Newby, said:
The conservative's grant came to light after an investigation by journalist Alexandra Rogers at Yorkshire Live, who found that Harrogate and Knaresborough was one of only four associations in the whole of Yorkshire to receive one.
The grant was introduced by the government for companies with a rateable value of £15,000 and received business rates relief. The local association met these requirements.
Cllr Graham Swift, Harrogate Borough Council's deputy leader is quoted in the Yorkshire Live article and said the grant was used to cover staff costs and rent:
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The Stray Ferret asked Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative Association for a comment but had no response at the time of publication.
Other Conservative associations in Wakefield, Selby and Ainsty and Shipley also accepted the grant. Their decisions have also been met with criticism.
Earlier this evening we showed a picture of the Harrogate Conservative Club, this was an error and we would like to clarify the club has no connection to the Conservative Association.
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