Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
01
May 2022
Last Updated: 01/05/2022
Election 2022: Boroughbridge and Claro candidate preview
Four candidates including the Conservatives, Green Party, Liberal Democrats and independents will be standing in Boroughbridge and Claro.
Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.
A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.
Today, we look at the Boroughbridge and Claro division which will see five candidates standing for election.
Robert Windass, Conservative
Robert Windass is the Conservative candidate for the Boroughbridge and Claro division.Mr Windass currently sits as a councillor on Harrogate Borough Council and represents the area on the authority.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Harrison for comment for this preview, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
A Conservative party spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they were confident in their election campaign and pledged to continue investing in services across North Yorkshire if elected.
A party spokesperson said:
“The Conservatives are fielding an experienced slate of candidates. This is important as we argue the case for local services with settlements from Selby to Richmond and Whitby to Settle.
“That case includes continued investment in local services that has seen a new pool in Ripon and the start of a new pool and leisure centre in Knaresborough.
“We are investing in the Hydro to provide more leisure facilities for local people.
“We need to continue the investment in our conference centre adapting it to the modern conference and exhibition industry. The centre underpins thousands of jobs across the district and brings in an estimated £29m to the local economy.”
Clark Pearson, Green Party
Clark Pearson is the green Party division on May 5.Mr Pearson has lived in Knaresborough for the last 10 years. He has an interest in geography and architecture.
He said he was standing as he wants to protect the area from the climate emergency.
Mr Pearson said:
“It is one of the most picturesque places I know. With that in mind, why are we ruining, Knaresborough, Britain, and the world?
"The planet is suffocating under a blanket of plastic and being warmed by a thermal insulation of CO2, all caused by this selfish animal we call humans.”
Jon Starkey, Independent
Jon Starkey will be standing as an independent candidate in Boroughbridge and Claro division.Mr Starkey lives in Boroughbridge and is self-employed, working in event sound, lighting and audio visual.
He said his priorities for standing include lower council tax, tackling litter and fly-tipping, improving bus services, stopping major housing developments and improving accountability of councillors.
He said:
"I am a non-political candidate who is not governed or regulated by the policies of the national parties, consequently,
“I can better represent the interests and the residents of the area by saying exactly what I think without the need to tow the party line, and bring a whole new common sense attitude to local government.”
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
Andrew Bell, Liberal Democrat
Andrew Bell will be the Liberal Democrat candidate for Boroughbridge and Claro division.Mr Bell, who lives in Knaresborough, said he is standing to tackle environmental issues and “improve the area”.
He set up Knaresborough Wombles, a group which litter picking group in the town.
Mr Bell said:
“I believe that we need to see a significant improvement in recycling rates, significantly increased electric car charging points, improvements to house building standards and introduction of local renewable energy schemes such as more local hydroelectric generating schemes.
“It important that the county council does more to support improved high street economies for towns such as Boroughbridge.”
Noel Evans, Independent
Noel Evans will be standing as an independent candidate in the division.
Mr Evans, who lives in Goldsborough, said he was standing after having "direct dealings" with Harrogate Borough Council over a planning matter.
He said:
"I put myself forward having seen, first-hand through direct dealings with the Council on a local planning matter, how council officials and councillors (of both parties) are entirely focussed on matters deemed 'important' for the council with total disregard for the residents of the area, who as council-taxpayers pay their wages and allowances and vote to keep them in office.
"The new North Yorkshire Council needs a new start with new people. And local decision making rather than influence from national political parties. We need independent councillors."
However, Mr Evans added that he had would also be urging people to vote for Mr Starkey as two independents stand in the division.
He said he was doing this because the area needed "independent and local decisions made for the ward by a councillor living in the ward".
0