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10
Jan 2022
Last Updated: 10/01/2022
Ripon councillors call for Harrogate to return assets
As local government prepares for its biggest shake-up in 50 years, councillors in Ripon are calling for the return of key assets, such as the town hall and Hugh Ripley Hall, that were handed to Harrogate Borough Council in 1974.
Harrogate Borough Council is being urged to return assets such as the town hall and spa gardens to local ownership in Ripon before devolution comes into effect next year.
Harrogate Borough Council took control of the assets when it was created following local government reorganisation in 1974.
At the same time the Municipal Borough of Ripon was abolished and the city reduced to parish council status under the authority of Harrogate Borough Council.
Now, with another major shake-up of local government looming, Ripon City Council is calling for the city's town hall, Hugh Ripley Hall, Market Square (pictured below), Spa Gardens and Spa Park to be transferred back to local ownership.
It says provisions in the Localism Act, designed to protect assets of community value (ACV), should be used to achieve this prior to the formation of the new North Yorkshire unitary authority next year.
Moves are already underway to retain community use at Spa Baths, after the city council successfully applied in September to have the historic building listed as an ACV.
Market Square
With Harrogate Borough Council due to be scrapped in April next year, independent Ripon city and district councillor Pauline McHardy told the Stray Ferret:
"There's absolutely no reason for Harrogate to hang on to assets that rightfully belong to us.
"Not a penny was paid for them when they were handed to Harrogate in 1974 and we want them to be transferred back."
Cllr McHardy put forward a notice of motion, seconded by fellow Ripon independent councillor Sid Hawke, which was due to be discussed at Harrogate Borough Council's full council meeting in December, but the meeting was cancelled.
The motion calling for the return of the assets, is due to come before next month's full meeting of HBC.
Cllr McHardy, pointed out:
"We will continue to press for the freehold of key assets in the city to be handed back to Ripon."
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