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14
Jan
Valley Gardens town councillor resigns
A Harrogate town councillor who represents the Valley Gardens area has resigned.
Edward Metcalfe, a Liberal Democrat who was elected to the role on Harrogate Town Council in May 2025, has stepped down as a councillor after moving out of the area.
In a statement on the town council website, the authority said he made the decision after securing a new job.
The council added:
Councillor Metcalfe, who was appointed in the first elections to the new town council in May 2025, has made the decision to step down following a move out of Harrogate for a new job opportunity. His resignation reflects his view that local representation is best served by someone living in the community.
While we are sorry to see Councillor Metcalfe go, we would like to express our thanks for his service and contributions to the early development of Harrogate Town Council.
Mr Metcalfe won the Valley Gardens ward with 50% of the vote at the first town council election. Conservative John Ennis was second with 31%.
The Lib Dems currently have 15 of the 19 seats, the Conservatives have two, Reform UK has one and there is one Independent.
The move means the town council has published a formal notice of vacancy for the ward, which can be found here. It says a by-election would be held no later than April 9.
Residents of the Valley Gardens ward may write to North Yorkshire Council’s elections office to request an election to fill the vacancy.
If no election is requested within the timeframe set out in the notice, the council will look to fill the vacancy by co-option – choosing a new councillor.
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