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19
Feb
Learn more about forthcoming Harrogate town council at online session
North Yorkshire Council is to hold an online session to provide more information about the forthcoming town council elections in Harrogate and Scarborough.
Voters in the two towns, which are the only parts of North Yorkshire that do not have a parish or town council, will go to the polls on May 1.
The online session for anyone wishing to find out more about the elections will be held at 5pm on Wednesday, March 5.
According to a North Yorkshire Council media release today, the session will outline the relationship between the two new town councils and North Yorkshire and provide details of the actual elections and the nominations process.
Anyone interested in attending should email returningofficer@northyorks.gov.uk to register.
Richard Flinton, North Yorkshire Council’s chief executive, described the creation of the town councils as “a major milestone in North Yorkshire”.
Mr Flinton added:
They will mean that all parts of the county will be represented with parish or town councils, meaning all of our communities have a voice in local democracy at a grassroots level.
The two new town councils will join the 662 parish and town councils that already exist across North Yorkshire, showing our commitment to ensuring our communities are represented at the most local level.
Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire Council.
Mr Flinton said the online session would be particularly important for anyone considering standing as a candidate.
He also urged residents to ensure they have registered to vote. The deadline to register for the town council elections is Friday, April 11.
Why are town councils being formed and what will they do?
The town councils are being formed following the abolition of district councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, and the creation of the new unitary authority North Yorkshire Council two years ago.
Town councils can be responsible for providing and maintaining local amenities such as open spaces, allotments, public clocks, village halls, footpaths and litter bins.
They also provide community buildings and facilities ranging from cemeteries and allotments to grants to community groups, while responding to planning applications and accessing grant funding for projects.
Town councils can influence local laws and policies that address community needs, such as zoning regulations, public safety measures, and environmental policies.
They also raise a precept, which is a form of council tax and oversee the allocation of funds for various services, ensuring taxpayers’ money is spent effectively.
Councillors elected on May 1 will serve a term of two years. Elections will be held again in 2027 for a four-year term to align with elections for North Yorkshire Council and all other parish councils.
The new parish boundaries will be in effect from April 1. The cost of establishing the town councils will initially be borne by North Yorkshire Council, and then charged back to the new authorities.
More details for registering to vote as well as voting by post and proxy along with information of the voter identification which is needed at the ballots are available here.
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