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10
Apr
Lib Dems call for Harrogate Spring Water levy to be spent in the town
Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats are calling for the proceeds for the use of the 'Harrogate' name by Harrogate Spring Water to be returned to the town rather than go to North Yorkshire Council's coffers.
A 0.5% levy on the water company’s net sales was contributed to Harrogate Borough Council until it was abolished two years ago.
Since then the revenue has gone directly to Northallerton-based North Yorkshire Council.
For the financial year ending March 2024, the council received £176,806 from the company.
The current initial budget for Harrogate Town Council is £362,000 – so the addition of the levy would see an increase of 49% on this.
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon met Harrogate Spring Water last year, when he outlined his opposition to its plans to fell 500 trees in Rotary Wood so it can expand its bottling plant.
The MP also discussed the future of the levy now that Harrogate is getting its own town council.
The Liberal Democrats say this is a missed opportunity to support local initiatives, services, and infrastructure in the community that has given the brand its name and reputation.
Viv Poskitt, a local GP and Liberal Democrat candidate for the St George’s ward, said:
The name 'Harrogate' carries a reputation for quality and heritage, which Harrogate Spring Water rightly benefits from. It’s only fair that the town also sees a direct benefit.
This modest levy should be reinvested in Harrogate – not swallowed up in a county-wide budget where it risks disappearing without trace.
Mr Gordon added:
This is about fairness and accountability. The people of Harrogate deserve to see the value of their town’s name reflected in investment in their community – not lost in the bureaucracy of a much larger council.
I will be pressing the Conservative-run North Yorkshire Council to do the right thing and ensure this money supports the town that has helped build the Harrogate Spring Water brand.
The Lib Dems have urged the council to commit to a formal agreement that would see the funds returned to Harrogate via the new town council or through local projects.
The Stray Ferret has contacted North Yorkshire Council for comment.
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