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16
Feb
Should Harrogate Town Council be politically-led?
Should councillors elected to Harrogate Town Council be from political parties?
That’s a question which has been debated since the Stray Ferret revealed last week that Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Reform and Greens will stand for the town council on May 1.
The Lib Dems in particular intend to try and take control of the council, much like they have with the local area committee on North Yorkshire Council.
Cllr Chris Aldred, chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, said taking control of the authority would help to “send a message to Conservatives in Northallerton”.
But, others do not see it that way.
Barry Adams, a Stray Ferret reader and Harrogate resident, said:
The new town council should not be represented by people from the political parties. The residents of Harrogate should be represented by those who can best serve our community and benefit our town. That is the basis on which I will vote in May.
As such, it begs the question whether independent councillors can stake a claim for the authority.
The new parish of Harrogate will come into effect on April 1, 2025, with the first elections taking place a month later. It will be made up of 19 councillors.
Harrogate currently has two independent representatives on North Yorkshire Council — Paul Haslam and Michael Schofield.
Cllr Schofield recently echoed the sentiment that the town council should not be an organisation filled with councillors from political parties.
But how realistic would it be for an independent councillor to be elected?
Thousands of councillors
According to latest figures, more than 2,300 councillors in England and Wales are independent or unaffiliated to the major political parties.
The presence of independent representatives is nothing new in the Harrogate district.
In fact, Ripon City Council is controlled by the Ripon Independents and Harrogate itself has two elected independents on North Yorkshire Council.
The unitary council has 15 members who are independent.
But the road to being successful at an election as an independent is not easy.
Jon Starkey.
Jon Starkey stood as an independent in Boroughbridge at the first elections to North Yorkshire Council in May 2022.
Mr Starkey was up against the Conservatives, Greens and Liberal Democrats in the ward and finished second to the Tories — missing out on being elected by 450 votes.
But the task was uphill as he went up against the party machine.
He told the Stray Ferret that those standing for Harrogate Town Council will find it difficult compared to those selected to stand for one of the major parties.
Mr Starkey said:
Certainly anyone standing as an independent will find the process much harder than someone standing from a political party, quite simply an independent doesn't have the back up resources, volunteers, leaflet deliverers, printing contacts and are very much starting from a total standstill.
The parties have members and volunteers to do a lot of the groundwork, plus they have all the information on voting patterns from previous elections.
He added that, while he had the support of Harrogate Independents — a group of independents who stood at the 2022 elections — and managed to deliver 3,000 leaflets, his campaign had limited time.
Does he think anyone standing as an independent has a chance to get on Harrogate Town Council?
He said:
I would hope the majority of any councillors on a Harrogate Town Council would be independent. In reality though, I don't think that will be the case as I'm pretty sure the same old faces will stand and ultimately will be elected.
One of those considering standing for the town council is Paul Haslam.
Paul Haslam.
Cllr Haslam represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge on North Yorkshire Council and is one of 15 independent members on the authority.
While nominations will not open until April 2, he said he is taking soundings from residents in his area in Bilton.
He said:
As an independent, I am free from party dogma. I want to work with people who have the best interests of the people and town at their core. I would encourage other people to stand as an independent.
When will an election be held?
Nominations for councillors on Harrogate Town Council are set to open on April 2.
From there, those nominated will be revealed at 4pm the following day.
Meanwhile, voters have until April 11 to register to vote in the Harrogate Town Council elections.
An election will be held for the town council on May 1.
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