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08
Aug
Harrogate Town Council recruits sixth member of staff
Harrogate Town Council is recruiting a sixth member of staff.
The council, which was created last year, has advertised for a project manager.
The job, which is being offered on an 18-month fixed term contract for a salary of between £37,280 and £39,152, has been created to oversee new projects such as a neighbourhood heat network, youth services and finding permanent town council premises.
The Liberal Democrat-controlled council currently employs a town clerk, administration officer and events and culture lead.
It also employs a civic assistant on a zero-hours basis, typically for around five hours per month, and hires a self-employed neighbourhood plan administrator for up to 37 hours per month.
Councillor Paula Stott, a member of the council’s staffing committee and chair of the events, culture and heritage committee, said:
I am really excited and pleased we are adding a project manager to Harrogate Town Council. We have ambitious plans and partnership working is key to their delivery. We want to avoid duplication and competition and facilitate groups working together for the betterment of Harrogate.
Partnership building takes time, but will ultimately deliver better results and best value to Harrogate residents, businesses, and community organisations. It should also be noted that towns of a comparable size to Harrogate employ on average between 10-50 staff, depending on their responsibilities. It's also important to note this is an 18-month contract, which enables current key priorities to be delivered, whilst allowing the new council to review its functions.
This role is about ensuring the council has the resources needed to turn ideas and plans into tangible results for Harrogate. We have a growing programme of projects and partnerships, and appointing a project manager will help us maintain momentum, coordinate activity and support successful delivery across a number of important initiatives.
The appointment reflects the Council's commitment to delivering projects that benefit residents, businesses and community organisations, while ensuring opportunities for Harrogate continue to be progressed effectively.
The town council increased its precept by 105% this year. The amount paid by a Band D household to fund its work went up from £12.73 in 2025/26 to £25.78 in 2026/27.
The increase meant the amount households generate for the town council increased from £362,000 to £740,639.
Of the £740,639, a total of £263,000 was allocated to staff costs.
The 19 elected councillors are not paid.
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