Andrew Jones MP and local councillors have been told by residents that delaying the creation of Harrogate Town Council until 2025 is “totally unacceptable” and damaging local democracy.

Harrogate was set to get its own town council in May this year but the process was delayed for a year after councillors on North Yorkshire Council, which is charged with setting up the new council, asked to redraw its ward boundaries.

It means there will have to be a third public consultation on the town council which will take place at some point this year.

North Yorkshire Council has indicated residents would pay between £40 and £60 on top of their council tax each year to pay for the new council.

At a meeting of local councillors this afternoon, a statement was read out on behalf of Barry Adams, who was representing more than 1,000 people that are part of Harrogate Residents Association, Granville Road Residents Group and Independent Harrogate.

Mr Adams said North Yorkshire Council is viewed as a “vast and disparate” authority by residents who feel “isolated and remote” from decision-making.

He said:

Town or parish councils are the first layer of local government and often provide services such as parks and public toilets, although under North Yorkshire Council’s “double-devolution” agenda they are being handed more responsibilities.

For example Ripon City Council looks set to run the city’s town hall and market square later this year.

The meeting of was attended by Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones who said he backed the principle of a town council but that the year-long delay will allow more time to figure out what services it might deliver.

Mr Jones said:

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In response, Mr Jones said it was “slightly odd” to create a public body without knowing what it’s for. He added: