No pacts are expected to be made between opposition parties in the Harrogate district ahead of the May local elections.
Voters will head to the polls in just under six weeks time to elect councillors to the new North Yorkshire Council.
Harrogate and Knaresborough Green Party said it had reached out to both the Liberal Democrats and Labour to discuss a deal to unseat the Conservatives.
However, the Stray Ferret understands that no agreement has been made and that the Lib Dems and Labour are expected to field a candidate in every ward.
Shan Oakes, of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Green Party, said the party had invited opposition groups to come up with a deal.
She said:
“We have invited Labour and the Lib Dems to talk to us.
“Between us, we hope we can get somewhere.”
(Left) Chris Watt, acting chair of Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party and Shan Oakes, Harrogate and Knaresborough Green Party.
It follows the Green Party and Liberal Democrats striking a deal in July 2021 when the Greens stood down a candidate and called on supporters to vote for the Lib Dems in the Knaresbroough Scriven Park by-election.
‘We do not agree to any deals’
However, Chris Watt, acting chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party, said the party will be standing a candidate in every ward on May 5.
He said:
“We do not agree to any deals.
“We will be putting forward our case on the doorstep.”
Mr Watt added that the party will be campaigning on housing, public transport and working with police to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Some of the new North Yorkshire Council ward boundaries in Harrogate and Knaresborough. Picture: NYCC.
Meanwhile, Philip Broadbank, who currently represents the Liberal Democrats on both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, said it was up to individual candidates to make their case.
He said:
“All we can do is get around as much as we can and get the issues raised.
“We have all got to get out there and press our case.”
The Lib Dems are also expected to field a candidate in every seat with a campaign focus on housing, green policies and transport.
Conservatives hoping to hold onto power
Meanwhile, local Conservatives are hoping to increase their share of councillors at the upcoming elections.
Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservatives currently hold power on Harrogate Borough Council with 28 seats and hold 14 on North Yorkshire County Council – which is also in overall Tory control.
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Nick Brown, who is a Conservative councillor on the borough council representing Bishop Monkton, said the party was confident ahead of polling day.
“We are very positive and well prepared
“On the doorstep we’ve been explaining what the new authority is going to be about. It is going to be more efficient and it is going to save money.”
Local Conservatives have agreed their list of candidates, which will be published along with other parties on April 6.
Register to vote deadline
A total of 13 councillors will be elected in Harrogate and Knaresborough to the new authority, with an average of 6,194 people to each representative. A further seven will be elected across Ripon, Pateley Bridge, Masham and Boroughbridge.
Those wishing to vote in the upcoming election have until April 14 to register to vote. You can register here.
Meanwhile, events will be held online for residents across Harrogate and Knaresborough to learn more about the upcoming unitary council.
People will be given the opportunity to ask a panel of senior council officials about the changes and what it means for them.
Wallace Sampson, chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council, and Neil Irving, from North Yorkshire County Council, will appear on the panel at the event on April 12. You can find more information on how to attend here.
