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09
Jul 2023
Ripon on track to run local assets previously controlled in Harrogate
Ripon appears to be in a strong position to take control of local assets, such as the town hall and market, which were previously run by Harrogate Borough Council.
North Yorkshire Council, which succeeded Harrogate Borough Council on April 1, has invited town and parish councils to submit expressions of interest to run local services.
It is part of the Conservative-controlled council's double devolution agenda in which more assets and services are run locally.
The approach has sparked interest in Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham, where some were aggrieved for years about decisions being made in Harrogate.
Ironically Harrogate does not yet have a town council so is excluded from the process and will continue to have its assets, such as Valley Gardens and Harrogate Convention Centre, run from Northallerton.
Ripon Town Hall
North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les has revealed 12 expressions of interest have been received from town and parish councils so far.
Up to six will be chosen this autumn to put forward full business cases. Final decisions are expected in spring next year before assets are transferred to successful bidders later in the year.
A list of town and parish councils to have submitted expressions of interest has not been published but Ripon in known to be among them.
Cllr Les told the Stray Ferret he would be amazed if Ripon wasn't selected to be one of the pilot areas. He told the Stray Ferret:
Read more:
- Ripon councillor rejects ‘Tory puppet’ accusations
- Ripon Independent councillor Andrew Williams joins Tory alliance
- 'Ripon did not want a Tory and now they have one', claims councillor
Tory alliance
The relationship between the ruling Conservatives on North Yorkshire Council and Cllr Andrew Williams, an independent who represents Ripon Minster and Moorside on North Yorkshire Council has been in sharp focus this month.
Last week Cllr Williams became one of three independents who joined a political alliance with the Conservatives.
The alliance strengthens the Conservatives' grip on the council, after a recent defection meant it had precisely half of the 90 councillors.
It followed North Yorkshire Council's decision to select Ripon as one of five pilot areas for new community networks.
The developments have sparked concerns from independent and Liberal Democrat councillors about whether the Tories promised taxpayer-funded favours, including double devolution deals, in return for political support from the independents who joined the new Conservatives and Independents Group.
Cllr Les and Cllr Williams both denied the allegation. Cllr Les said double devolution talks had taken place for months before the new group was formed last week.
Has Ripon been undermined by Harrogate?
Cllr Williams said there had been "no seedy back room arrangements" and he remained an independent who would vote as his conscience allowed, rather than a Tory puppet.
He said he joined the alliance because there was no prospect of the 45 non-Conservative councillors of different political groups on North Yorkshire Council being able to agree a budget and form an administration. He added:
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