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04
Aug 2020
Council leader leaves Harrogate BID
The leader of Harrogate Borough Council has resigned from Harrogate BID.
Cllr Richard Cooper is still listed as a board member on the organisation's website, but information on Companies House reveals he stepped down in June.
He was replaced on the same date by Trevor Watson, HBC's director of economy and culture. Neither the council nor the BID has given a reason for the change.
Harrogate BID Acting Chair Sara Ferguson said:
'Strong influence'
Cllr Cooper's resignation came six weeks after four board members - including the chairman - stepped down, citing the undue influence of the council in the organisation.
In their joint resignation letter, outgoing chairman Bob Kennedy and board members Chris Bentley, Robert Ogden and Rob Spencer said:
Mr Spencer, of Townhouse Design, told the Stray Ferret at the time that the council members on the board were "very defensive" about what others felt were problems in the town, such as the level of cleanliness and the overall appearance. The letter also said additional confidentiality restrictions imposed on board members were a threat to the organisation's transparency and were incompatible with the function of a public body.
Read more:
- Council leader: 'some Harrogate businesses will not survive'
- Ex-MP Phil Willis on how Harrogate can thrive again
Harrogate BID is funded by a compulsory rates levy on businesses in the centre of Harrogate. It was voted in at the end of 2018 and began operating the following year, with a five-year term before rate payers will have to vote on whether it should continue.
As lockdown was eased, the BID announced it would fund additional street cleaning in early June to make the town centre attractive to returning shoppers. It also offered small grants to businesses to fund social distancing measures to enable them to open safely, and sent out packs of signage for levy payers to use around their premises.
David Bowe, director of North Yorkshire County Council, remains on the BID board, along with representatives of local businesses across sectors including independent retailers, chain stores, hospitality and service companies.
Harrogate Borough Council did not respond to the Stray Ferret's request for a comment.
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