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12
Nov 2024
Search for new planning councillor after Harrogate independent steps down
Independent councillor Mike Schofield has stood down from North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee.
The seven-person committee is scheduled to meet monthly to adjudicate on major planning applications in Harrogate and Knaresborough. Virtually all other applications are determined by employed council officers.
Cllr Schofield, who represents Harlow and St George’s, was the sole independent on the committee, which also includes four Liberal Democrats and two Conservatives. He combines his councillor duties with being the landlord of the Shepherd's Dog pub ono Otley Road,
He told the Stray Ferret:
I have stood down from the planning committee because I feel I need to represent the residents of my division and indeed Harrogate as a whole, as best I can. Being on the committee means there are constraints on myself as a councillor that impede my ability to represent my residents as they really need.
To maintain political balance, his position was offered to fellow independent Cllr Paul Haslam, who resigned the Conservative whip this year. But Cllr Haslam turned down the opportunity.
He told the Stray Ferret he didn’t have the time to commit fully to the role, which involves reading reports and attending daytime meetings that can last for several hours as well as site visits. He said: “If I’m going to do something, I like to do it properly.”
The committee is quorate with just three members but tomorrow’s full council meeting in Northallerton will attempt to appoint a replacement for Cllr Schofield.
With the Liberal Democrats holding four of the seven seats, they will maintain control regardless of who is appointed.
Cllr John Mann, a Conservative who chairs the committee and represents Oatlands and Pannal, said:
It is important that the vacancy on the planning committee is filled by a local Harrogate and Knaresborough member of the council. Local knowledge and accountability to local residents are essential prerequisites for a viable and equitable planning committee.
A planning committee is a significant investment of time and resources for most councils and requires the close coordination of planning, democratic services and legal teams. It is an important shop window for the council and plays a crucial role in providing democratic and transparent decisions on sometimes controversial issues.
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