In just three months time, voters in Harrogate will head to the polls for the first ever town council election.

The new parish of Harrogate will come into effect on April 1, 2025, with the first elections taking place a month later. It will be made up of 19 councillors.

While candidates for polling day have yet to be announced, political campaigns are already in motion.

We asked the major parties to answer the same three questions in no more than 50 words.

Conservative Party

How many candidates will stand?

We're in our selection process now and will be putting forward a full team of Conservative candidates for the Harrogate Town Council elections in May. 

How many seats does your party hope to win?

Harrogate is a wonderful place to live, work and visit. The town council represents an opportunity to enhance that and make our area even better, with local decisions.

What should the town council do?

As well as delivery of some services, the town council should work to give local communities a stronger voice on major local issues. So, establishing a positive partnerships with North Yorkshire Council, the BID and the voluntary, community and charitable sector will be key for the town council as it gets set up.

Green Party

How many candidates will stand?

The Green Party intends to stand a full slate of 19 candidates.

How many seats does your party hope to win?

The aim is to win an absolute minimum of five.

What should the town council do?

We have created a list of potential roles and responsibilities for the town council, and we are inviting input from residents:

Creating and managing local retail markets

Providing allotments

Managing cemeteries

Reducing anti-social behaviour

Providing & maintaining public toilets

Managing parks and open spaces

Reducing homelessness

Providing and maintaining bus shelters

Managing Car Parks

Liberal Democrats

How many candidates will stand?

We hope to give all eligible residents within the area of the new town council the opportunity to elect hard working, forward thinking & knowledgeable candidates who can work collegiately for the benefit of the town.

How many seats does your party hope to win?

Although we would like to win all wards, sending a strong message to the Conservatives in Northallerton, we recognise that there are some wards where our campaign messages will resonate stronger than others. As a group, we would be very happy to have the most members on the new council and thus be able to take a leadership role in the first years of its existence.

What should the town council do?

Liberal Democrats see Harrogate Town Council, through its partnership working with other organisations, as being the legitimate voice for the town, holding Northallerton to account in situations such as the non-clearance of our footpaths during the recent cold weather spell and the lack of any meaningful commemoration of D-Day.

Labour

How many candidates will stand?

Labour plans to stand candidates for every seat on Harrogate Town Council.

How many seats does your party hope to win?

Labour will fight for every vote, having come top in Harrogate in the last local election, for mayor, last May. If people want change from established local parties, they need to vote Labour and can be confident, as with the mayoral election, that it can deliver hard working Labour representatives.

What should the town council do?

The town council needs to work with the Labour mayor to support projects North Yorkshire Council may overlook, like potholes or children’s play areas for new developments. Only Labour councillors will be able to work effectively with the mayor, who’s from our town, to deliver for Harrogate.

Reform UK

How many candidates will stand?

We expect to field a strong set of candidates for the election.  We are currently shortlisting and validating a large number of applications from our Harrogate membership and will publish more details once this process is completed.

How many seats does your party hope to win?

The political landscape is changing, we’re polling at 26%, so it’s all to play for locally. Voting Reform is an opportunity for Harrogate’s voters to back change and positivity. We trust the voters of Harrogate to make the right decisions for the future of our great town.

What should the town council do?

The new town council must represent Harrogate’s interests at County Hall. We need our assets back and we need the authority to drive change. That needs a strong local council comprising leaders and achievers to create a plan to make Harrogate great again. Our Reform candidates have what it takes.