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07
Aug 2020
Last Updated: 07/08/2020
Harrogate Lib Dems campaign to abandon plans for devolution
The "Hands Off Harrogate" campaign argues that the district should make its own decisions and run its own services.
Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats have launched a petition today calling for plans of a mega council and executive mayor to be abandonded.
The "Hands Off Harrogate" campaign argues that the district should make its own decisions and run its own services.
It also says that councillors as far away as Scarborough would be "out of touch" with concerns in the Harrogate district.
Read more:
- County council bids for £2bn spending in devolution deal
- Council leaders prepare for North Yorkshire devolution
- New budget amid coronavirus costs ‘not necessary’, says council
Councillors from the local Lib Dems have urged residents to sign the petition on their website.
Pat Marsh, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Harrogate Borough Council, said:
“Harrogate Conservatives are too busy fighting one another to stand up for residents in our district, with council leader Richard Cooper writing articles in the press, criticising his Tory colleagues. At such a difficult time, with many residents really suffering from the effects of coronavirus, do we really need to be going through a massive local government reorganisation that could cost taxpayers millions and disrupt vital local services?"
Cllr Marsh also called for Andrew Jones to "stand up for our area" on devolution. The MP has yet to comment publicly on the proposals.
Judith Rogerson, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson, added:
"Nobody in Harrogate and Knaresborough will think a huge new council is acceptable. If we have to have local government reorganisation the most sensible solution would be to create a unitary council covering just the present Harrogate district. There are similar sized authorities in other parts of Yorkshire & the Humber."
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