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17
Apr 2023
Councillor Michael Harrison appointed first charter mayor of Harrogate
Councillor Michael Harrison was appointed the first charter mayor of Harrogate at the Civic Centre this morning.
Cllr Harrison is a Conservative who represents Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate on North Yorkshire Council.
The non-political role will involve promoting the historic and ceremonial traditions of the Harrogate area during events and occasions such as Remembrance Sunday.
It will differ from the former Harrogate Borough Council mayoral role, which covered the whole of the former borough and undertook a wider range of engagements.
Cllr Harrison described the position as “mayor-lite“. He said:
The mayor was elected by the Harrogate charter trustees, which are 10 councillors who represent divisions covering the unparished parts of Harrogate town.
Harrogate's 10 charter trustees
It was a more low-key occasion than previous Harrogate Borough Council mayor-making ceremonies, which were traditionally held each year at Harrogate's Royal Hall.
Cllr Harrison was nominated for the role by Liberal Democrat councillor for High Harrogate and Kingsley, Chris Aldred, who was also appointed charter deputy mayor during the meeting.
Cllr Aldred said:
Cllrs Michael Harrison and Chris Aldred
Cllr Harrison’s first engagement as charter mayor will be at the unveiling of new sculptures at the New Zealand garden in Valley Gardens this month.
He will also attend ANZAC memorial day at Stonefall Cemetery.
Read more:
- Councillors to elect ceremonial mayor for Harrogate this month
- Mayor of Ripon nominated to serve a third term in office
Ceremonial robes and chains most recently used by the last Harrogate borough mayor, Victoria Oldham, will be used by the charter mayor.
But he won’t be entitled to perks enjoyed by previous council mayors such as having a chauffeur-driven car to get to events.
The new council has allocated an annual budget of £12,100 for Harrogate charter trustee business.
However if a Harrogate Town Council is created, it will assume responsibility for the mayoral position from North Yorkshire Council should it want it.
The charter trustees will meet again in October. Cllr Harrison said at the next meeting the charter trustees will make a suggestion to North Yorkshire Council on what the council tax precept for the town council might be.
Consultation documents for the town council state Harrogate households would be asked to pay between £40 and £60 on top of their council tax each year if a Harrogate Town Council were created.
The budget would be spent on accommodation, employment costs, office and IT equipment, insurance, professional fees, the mayor and delivering services.
What those services might be are still to be decided but it would likely involve taking control of assets once held by the abolished Harrogate Borough Council.
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