A Harrogate residents’ group is to be wound up after no volunteers stood for key roles that became vacant on the committee.

The decision was taken after a vote at last night’s Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association autumn meeting at the Green Hut in Harrogate.

Hapara was founded in 1990 and has been a key voice for people living in the west of Harrogate on issues such as housing and infrastructure, the Otley Road cycleway and road safety.

All three issues were among those discussed for an hour last night. At the end of proceedings, chairman Rene Dziabas, secretary David Siddans, membership secretary Sarah Cross and treasurer David Parry stood down.

Mr Dziabas said it was time for “fresh eyes” to organise the group and undertake activities such as consulting with North Yorkshire Council.

He pledged to remain on the committee and said the other people standing down would be willing to help whoever took on the roles. But nobody put their hand up.

It was therefore resolved to cease activity and wind-up the organisation as soon as possible. Any outstanding funds will be donated to the Harlow Community Centre Association, which is also known as the Green Hut.

Harlow Hill and Pannal Ash are part of Harrogate and therefore do not have a parish council.

The formation of a Harrogate town council next year will mean whoever is elected to represent the area will take on the role of being a voice for local people.

But those in attendance said the new councillor would struggle to replicate the wide range of duties Hapara has undertaken to represent residents in a part of Harrogate where 4,000 homes are being built.

Committee member Neil Hind said “everything we have talked about in the last hour shows how important the group is” and there was applause when audience member Malcolm Margolis said those stepping down “have done a phenomenal amount of work over the last 10 years”.

Former chairman Terry Byrne said residents would “lose our voice” and urged those present to “try and fight” to save the group.