Ripon on track to be chosen for double devolution deal

Ripon City Council has cleared an important hurdle in its double devolution bid to take control of city assets.

North Yorkshire Council invited town and parish councils to submit expressions of interest to run local services in November last year.

It was part of the Conservative-controlled council’s double devolution agenda which pledges to let local people take control of local assets.

The council said it would choose up to six locations this autumn to put forward full business cases. Final decisions are expected in spring next year before assets are transferred to successful bidders later in the year.

This afternoon Ripon City Council was notified by council assistant chief executive Rachel Joyce the evaluation board proposed to to set up individual project teams to work with Ripon and Selby.

The news is likely to come as a blow for other towns, including Knaresborough, which also expressed interest. Harrogate was unable to bid because it does not have a town council.

Ms Joyce said in correspondence with the city council:

“Two expressions of interest that were considered, submitted by Ripon Town(City) Council and Selby Town Council; were both ambitious and multi-faceted, with a number of service areas involved in the evaluation of their expressions of interest.”

Flag of Ukraine on Ripon Town Hall

Ripon Town Hall

The Ripon devolution bid sought management of Ripon Town Hall, Market Place and Car Park, public toilets within the city and the Wakeman’s House listed building.

Ms Joyce said:

“Whilst the bids were considered to be showing the level of ambition for their areas that was originally envisaged for the double devolution project they highlighted that the evaluation criteria was not sophisticated enough to manage a wide range of services within its scoring mechanisms.

“It is therefore proposed by the evaluation board that individual project teams are set up to work with Ripon City Council and Selby Town Council to bring forward double devolution proposals to be considered by the executive in these two areas recognising that these may require more support.”

The news has been welcomed by Cllr Andrew Williams, the Independent leader of Ripon City Council, who also represents the Minster and Moorside division on North Yorkshire Council.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“We have cleared an important hurdle and that’s very good news for Ripon as we seek greater say over our own destiny.

“We put forward a very strong double devolution bid and North Yorkshire Council has shown that it is willing to listen to us and work with us — in considerable contrast to the relationship that we had over almost 50 years with Harrogate Borough Council.”

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Harrogate man to lead set-up of North Yorkshire combined authority

A former Harrogate High School student has been appointed to lead the set-up of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

James Farrar, who grew up in Huby, will take up the position as interim director for transition.

Mr Farrar is is currently chief operating officer of the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, a public-private partnership that drives economic growth.

The combined authority is due to be established this year but will begin operating in May.

An order will be laid before parliament in the autumn, which will include provisions for powers and funding tied to a devolution deal as well as paving the way for the creation of the authority.

The combined authority, which will be overseen by a directly election mayor, is expected to have powers to make decisions on matters such as economic development and transport.

Mr Farrar said:

“I am working closely with colleagues from both councils, the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, and the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership. 

“We are all committed to a smooth transition into a new combined authority, ensuring that we all continue to deliver our services to the public without any interruption. Together, we will ensure it is an organisation that is ready to hit the ground running as soon as a mayor is elected.”

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, said:

“Devolution is a long-held ambition for York and North Yorkshire, and will provide a host of benefits for hundreds of thousands of people.

“James has a great deal of experience and will be key in delivering the benefits of devolution and ensuring the combined authority runs as efficiently as possible, and I am looking forward to continuing to work with him closely at what is such an important time for York and North Yorkshire.”

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The proposed devolution deal includes a £7 million investment to drive green economic growth towards the ambition of York and North Yorkshire becoming the country’s first carbon negative region.

There is also proposed investment of up to £2.65 million to deliver affordable low-carbon housing, and £13 million for the building of new homes on brownfield land during 2023/24 and 2024/25.

The elected mayor will make decisions on investments in strategic priorities such as for transport, housing, and adult education.

The mayor will also have responsibilities for community safety and strategic responsibility for the totality of policing, fire and crime for York and North Yorkshire.

They will appoint a deputy mayor to carry out many of the powers and duties of the role currently known as police, fire and crime commissioner.

An election for the mayor will be held in May 2024. 

Claim Ripon’s bid to control town hall and market square a ‘done deal’

A Harrogate councillor has claimed Ripon City Council’s bid to take control of the city’s town hall and market square is a “done deal” despite the process not being completed yet.

At a full meeting of North Yorkshire Council in Northallerton today, Cllr Chris Aldred, who represents High Harrogate & Kingsley for the Liberal Democrats, asked Conservative council leader Carl Les why he was recently quoted in local media saying he “would be amazed” if Ripon wasn’t selected for the double devolution pilot — even though final recommendations are still to be brought before councillors.

Cllr Les’s comments, which were made to the Stray Ferret earlier this month. followed the decision by independent Ripon Minster & Moorside councillor Andrew Williams to join a new Independents and Conservatives group on NYC.

Cllr Williams, who is also leader of Ripon City Council, has previously denied a deal has been struck with the Tories to shore-up the party’s control in Northallerton in return for Ripon being selected in the pilot.

Cllr Aldred said: 

“Care to expand on your apparent certainty that Ripon City Council will be successful in its bid? On what criteria? Is it in fact, a done deal?”

Cllr Les responded: 

“Chris, I think you’re seeing conspiracies where there are none.”

He added:

“I can confirm Ripon City Council has a bid and an officer panel is in the process of evaluating bids and a report will be brought forward to the executive in August.

“I have not and will not be involved in evaluation of bids. My comments were in recognition of track record of delivery by Ripon City Council, its well-known ambition for the area and for being so quickly out of the traps. That’s why I said I would be amazed. I stand by that comment.”

Cllr Les said that 12 bids from town or parish councils have been received with up to six moving forward to the pilot stage, which are expected to begin next year.

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Tory mayor candidate says he has ‘vision and fight’ to make a difference

The Conservative hoping to become the first-ever Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has said he has the “vision and fight to make a difference”.

Journalist and councillor Keane Duncan was selected at a meeting of North Yorkshire Conservatives at the Bridge Hotel and Spa at Walshford, near Wetherby on Friday.

Only party members who attended were eligible to vote and the full results have not been announced.

A senior party source told the Stray Ferret six people applied for the role and the field was reduced to three on the ballot paper. Each gave a presentation then answered questions.

They said Mr Duncan received 141 votes, York tech entrepreneur Matt Freckelton polled 38 votes and Zoe Metcalfe, the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner who lives near Boroughbridge, received just 15.

Ms Metcalfe has not responded to questions from the Stray Ferret about the vote.

Her role will be subsumed by the mayor’s office after the election in May next year.

Whoever is chosen will also oversee the delivery of a £540m devolution deal, with responsibility for economic development, transport, housing and skills.

Mr Duncan, who is from Malton in North Yorkshire, is a deputy news editor on the Daily Star as well as the Conservative executive member for highways and transport at North Yorkshire Council. His councillor remit includes oversight of the £11.9 million Harrogate Station Gateway,

He said:

“It’s an honour to win the confidence of party members to fight for my home area in this critical election.

“Our landmark £540m devolution deal represents an unprecedented chance to unlock opportunities for everyone who lives here, particularly the next generation.

“My vision for York and North Yorkshire is one that is open for business and proud of success – a greener and more productive area embracing future industries and offering highly-skilled, well-paid job opportunities.”

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He added:

“Ahead of polling day in May I hope to convince voters I have the vision and fight to make a difference for people in every corner of our diverse and vast county.”

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said:

“Keane’s enthusiasm for and knowledge of York and North Yorkshire is impressive.

“He understands the challenges we face and the opportunities which devolution offers to address those challenges in transport, skills, housing and employment.”

The Stray Ferret asked Mr Jones’ office is he voted for Mr Duncan but was told he was in meetings all afternoon and it might not be possible to contact him.

Ripon on track to run local assets previously controlled in Harrogate

Ripon appears to be in a strong position to take control of local assets, such as the town hall and market, which were previously run by Harrogate Borough Council.

North Yorkshire Council, which succeeded Harrogate Borough Council on April 1, has invited town and parish councils to submit expressions of interest to run local services.

It is part of the Conservative-controlled council’s double devolution agenda in which more assets and services are run locally.

The approach has sparked interest in Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham, where some were aggrieved for years about decisions being made in Harrogate.

Ironically Harrogate does not yet have a town council so is excluded from the process and will continue to have its assets, such as Valley Gardens and Harrogate Convention Centre, run from Northallerton.

Ripon Town Hall

North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les has revealed 12 expressions of interest have been received from town and parish councils so far.

Up to six will be chosen this autumn to put forward full business cases. Final decisions are expected in spring next year before assets are transferred to successful bidders later in the year.

A list of town and parish councils to have submitted expressions of interest has not been published but Ripon in known to be among them.

Cllr Les told the Stray Ferret he would be amazed if Ripon wasn’t selected to be one of the pilot areas. He told the Stray Ferret:

“Ripon was one of the first out of the blocks on double devolution. It is one of the keenest parts of the county. I’ll be amazed if Ripon isn’t in there.”

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Tory alliance

The relationship between the ruling Conservatives on North Yorkshire Council and Cllr Andrew Williams, an independent who represents Ripon Minster and Moorside on North Yorkshire Council has been in sharp focus this month.

Last week Cllr Williams became one of three independents who joined a political alliance with the Conservatives.

The alliance strengthens the Conservatives’ grip on the council, after a recent defection meant it had precisely half of the 90 councillors.

It followed North Yorkshire Council’s decision to select Ripon as one of five pilot areas for new community networks.

The developments have sparked concerns from independent and Liberal Democrat councillors about whether the Tories promised taxpayer-funded favours, including double devolution deals, in return for political support from the independents who joined the new Conservatives and Independents Group.

Cllr Les and Cllr Williams both denied the allegation. Cllr Les said double devolution talks had taken place for months before the new group was formed last week.

Has Ripon been undermined by Harrogate?

Cllr Williams said there had been “no seedy back room arrangements” and he remained an independent who would vote as his conscience allowed, rather than a Tory puppet.

He said he joined the alliance because there was no prospect of the 45 non-Conservative councillors of different political groups on North Yorkshire Council being able to agree a budget and form an administration. He added:

“Ripon’s best interests will be served by having an alliance with the majority group. I stand for the benefit of Ripon rather than any political party.

“There can be a perception of whatever, I don’t care quite frankly, as long as Ripon gets a double devolution deal.

“There has been woeful neglect of the city for years by Harrogate Borough Council and I’m determined Ripon will fare better under the new local government arrangements.

“I stood on a pro-Ripon ticket. That’s my job — to stand up and fight for Ripon.”

 

Stray Views: How long before there is an apology for Station Gateway? 

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

So, Sheffield City Council is sorry that its residents were “misrepresented as unrepresentative and primarily concerned with their own streets” (Sheffield Council issues apology over tree-felling scandal, The Guardian, 20 June).

How long, I wonder, before Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire Council apologise for ignoring the representations from Harrogate residents and business community for going ahead with the Station Gateway Project and its anticipated devastation of our beautiful spa town.

Val Michie, Low Harrogate

Trees on Empress roundabout a hazard

I’m writing a letter regarding the greenery in the middle of the Empress roundabout. How on earth are drivers supposed to see what’s coming from across the Stray with a full leaved tree (or is it two trees) blocking their view.

From experience when I was a driver, I know just how difficult and dangerous trying to get across the roundabout can be. Have the council gone mad?

Will they finally act to take away the trees in the centre if and when (God forbid) someone is seriously hurt in an accident simply because they couldn’t see what was coming from all sides of the roundabout? It is simply ludicrous?

Carole Nowell, Harrogate

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Local government a mess long before devolution

Sir,
Lord Wallace of Saltaire claims that devolution in North Yorkshire has made local government an incoherent mess and destroyed local democracy. His words must have a hollow ring in towns and villages which were placed under Harrogate’s thumb in the last local government reorganisation dreamt up by some genius in Whitehall  fifty years ago.
Where was local democracy when Harrogate’s recent Town Plan re-designated  parts of the supposedly sacrosanct Green Belt between Harrogate and Knaresborough to accommodate illicit Traveller sites despite massive opposition from the people of Calcutt and close environs ?
Where is the coherence in the massive house building around Knaresborough, and indeed Harrogate itself, with no expansion of amenities other than the odd supermarket and the corresponding increase in commuter traffic being dumped onto already congested roads ?
As for the fantasy of Maltkiln, a sustainable village, it is the environmentally damaging creation of yet more commuting built around an antiquated railway and an inadequate main road and opens the way to further destruction of North Yorkshire’s green and pleasant land.
How can North Yorkshire do worse ? Heaven help us if it can.

 Pete Dennis, Knaresborough

Local democracy in North Yorkshire ‘destroyed’ by devolution, says peer

Devolution in North Yorkshire has made local government an “incoherent mess” and “destroyed” democracy, a Liberal Democrat peer has claimed.

Harrogate Borough Council was one of seven district authorities, along with North Yorkshire County Council, abolished on March 31 to pave the way for the new North Yorkshire Council.

The single-tier system has vastly reduced the number of councillors in North Yorkshire from almost 400 to 90.

A combined authority for York and North Yorkshire is due to be created next year, led by an elected mayor, as part of the UK government’s devolution agenda.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire said in a speech in the House of Lords on Thursday the structure of local government across England was now “an incoherent mess” and accused the government of “imposing mayors on places that did not want them”.

He added:

“I find what has happened recently in North Yorkshire the most appalling, and when I heard someone assure me that no councillor in North Yorkshire would need more than two hours to drive from the ward they represent to council meetings, it showed me just how far we have gone.

“Decent places such as Harrogate, Scarborough, Richmond and Craven, which had working district authorities and which represented real places, have been dismantled and they are now trying to set up very large town councils for them.

“We have the prospect of a mayor, somehow, for North Yorkshire and, incidentally, one for East Yorkshire. That is the effective destruction of local government and I really do not understand the rationale for it.”

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He contrasted the situation with Fenland District Council, where councillors represented far fewer people, and therefore had more time to deal with their issues.

Lord Saltaire said:

“After the next election, a reform of the way in which the governance of England is conducted at all levels is a vital part of what any new government must be. If we want to regain trust in politics and re-engage some of our citizens more, that is part of how we do it.

“Let us all recognise that we face a situation of deep popular disengagement and disillusionment with the democratic politics we have in this country.”

Old system ‘confusing and expensive’

Carl Les

Carl Les, the Conservative leader of North Yorkshire Council, described the old two-tier system as “confusing, inefficient and expensive”. He added:

“Over half of the country is governed by unitary local government now. Where Lord Saltaire lives has been unitary for years.

“Yes, we no longer have 390 local councillors. Some might say that’s a good thing.”

Cllr Les said the council’s plans for “double devolution”, whereby powers would be handed down to local level, would ensure it was “not only the largest geographic council in the country but also the most local as well”.

 

The MP aiming to win his fifth election in Harrogate and Knaresborough

Today marks 4,762 days since Andrew Jones was elected Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Mr Jones wrestled the seat off the Liberal Democrats with a slim 1,039 majority in May 2010.

Since then has successfully defended it three times, achieving more than 50% of the vote on each occasion and securing a 9,675 majority in 2019.

But this month’s local elections, in which the Conservatives lost more than 1,000 councillors, and Labour’s lead in the opinion polls suggest the next election could be closer.

In his first interview with the Stray Ferret, Mr Jones gives his thoughts on the looming general election, which is likely to happen next year, as well as key local issues including the Harrogate Station Gateway and devolution.

Mr Jones, who has been a transport and Treasury minister, says he had “no hesitation whatsoever” in putting forward his name for re-selection in the Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency. He says:

“The opportunity to speak up for my home area at the highest possible level is absolutely fantastic.”

The constituency, and the previous Harrogate constituency that included Knaresborough, has been held by Conservatives continuously since 1950 except when the Liberal Democrat Phil Willis was MP from 1997 to 2010.

But Mr Jones insists he’s never regarded it as “anything other than a marginal”, adding no seat has been safe for a decade. He says:

“The election is about who offers the best future  – will it be Rishi or Keir Starmer. The answer is Rishi. Who will be the best local champion? Me.”

Asked how many marks out of 10 he’d give so far for Rishi Sunak’s performance as Prime Minister, he says ’11’.

His Lib Dem opponent

Mr Jones, who turns 60 in November, will be up against Liberal Democrat Tom Gordon, who at 29 is half his age.

Both men were born in West Yorkshire but while Mr Jones has lived in Harrogate for almost 25 years, Mr Gordon has just moved in.

Mr Gordon portrays himself as a fresh and energetic alternative but Mr Jones says he has “plenty of fuel in the tank” and points out he had a career in business before becoming a Harrogate borough councillor in 2003, representing High Harrogate for two terms before becoming an MP.

By contrast, Mr Gordon, who has twice stood as a prospective parliamentary candidate as well as a councillor in Wakefield and Newcastle has “done an enormous amount of politics” for a 29-year-old, says Mr Jones, who adds:

“I had 25 years in business. I had done two terms as a local councillor in this area before being elected. I haven’t stood anywhere else.

“I have not sought to represent anything other than the seat I live in. I don’t think this is just a notch on someone’s political bedpost and I hope this constituency isn’t being used in this way.”

Supporting the Station Gateway

Few issues have divided Harrogate more in Mr Jones’ time as an MP than the £11.2 million Station Gateway, which looks set to go ahead after all five Conservative councillors and five of eight Liberal Democrat councillors on North Yorkshire Council’s area constituency committee supported it.

Mr Jones supports the scheme but has reservations, which include the positioning of taxi ranks, unloading outside shops and disabled parking spaces.

He says town centres are changing, with less retail and more hospitality and homes.

“They’ve got to be more attractive places to go to where the quality of life is very high. That’s the big picture in which the gateway ought to be considered.”

He insists the town centre is “vibrant” despite pro-gateway supporters presenting the scheme as a way to regenerate a run-down area blighted by shop closures.

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He also accused Conswrvative-run North Yorkshire Council of not defending the scheme rigorously enough. He says:

“There have been all kinds of concerns and indeed some misinformation about it and, quite frankly, the council hasn’t done a great job at countering some of the misinformation.”

 

Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Andrew Jones in Harrogate

What misinformation? He mentions claims traffic will back-up to Ripley and that the scheme is a form of back-door Big Brother by increasing CCTV. He says:

“If I look at the scheme, as a whole, I think improvements to the street scene in the area are welcome. The focus on integrated public transport is also welcome. And the cycle paths are properly segregated, providing more safety for cyclists, which is probably a good thing too.”

Does he cycle?

“No. I live right in the town centre, I walk everywhere.”

He adds he “much prefers the train” to driving but this has been compromised by recent train strikes.

Many businesses oppose the gateway and a recent Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce survey generated three times more responses opposed to the scheme than in favour. Are they wrong?

“I’ve had comments from businesses that have been both for and against.”

Sewage and the River Nidd

andrew jones-mp-and-frank maguire

With the owner of Knaresborough Lido

Mr Jones is leading a high profile campaign alongside the Nidd Action. Group to achieve designated bathing water status on the River Nidd at Knaresborough Lido, which would oblige agencies to clean-up the river.

The Lib Dems have criticised the government’s record on tackling the state of rivers. Mr Jones says:

“This is the first government in British history which has sought to improve and tackle the sewage overflows so I don’t think the political blame game improves water quality. Positive action does.”

Two hundred people have volunteered to help monitor Nidd usage at the Lido. Mr Jones says:

“This weekend sees the start of the bathing water season and also sees start of surveying at the Lido.”

How confident is he the campaign will achieve bathing water status and will it happen this year?

“I am always confident and always travel hopefully. It’s too early to say about timings. All I can say is this will have full energy from me.”

Harrogate town council concerns

North Yorkshire is undergoing its biggest political upheaval for half a century.

Harrogate Borough Council was abolished at the end of March and a mayor for York and North Yorkshire is likely to be elected next year.

Mr Jones supported devolution but preferred the east-west model that lost out. Was he sorry to see Conservative-controlled Harrogate Borough Council, whose council leader Richard Cooper is his office manager, disappear?

“I did have a bit of a pang when the council finished. I spent two terms as a councillor in Harrogate and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought we got a lot done.”

He says the big issue now is ensuring local voices are heard at Northallerton, where North Yorkshire Council is based.

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He sounds far from convinced about a Harrogate town council, which looks set to be created next year, adding another layer of council tax.

Mr Jones again seems unimpressed by North Yorkshire Council’s approach, which has involved consulting on whether people support a town council without specifying what its powers will be. He says:

“Creating a public body and then worrying about what it will have responsibility for is the wrong way to approach the question.

“Those supporting it need to articulate a vision of what it will do, how much it will cost and why it should be supported and why it’s different to the area constituency committee.”

Won’t stand for mayor

Mr Jones flatly ruled himself out of the race to become mayor. “I am not putting my name forward,” he says.

Zoe Metcalfe, the Conservative North Yorkshire Police Fire and Crime Commissioner has put her name forward — will he support her?

“It’s early days so we’ll see. I don’t doubt there will be a lot of interest in the position.”

What about Richard Cooper, who he was worked alongside effectively since the 1990s? Mr Jones says Mr Cooper understands how the political systems and structures work and how to get things done, adding:

“If he wants to put his name forward he was a very effective leader at the council but I think he has already said he has retired from seeking elected office. I think he’s ruled himself out.”

1,000 items of correspondence a week

Andrew Jones MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Mr Jones receives 1,000 items of correspondence each week.

Mr Jones, who employs six staff at his constituency office on East Parade in Harrogate, receives about 1,000 pieces of correspondence a week.

He travels to London late on Sunday or early Monday and returns for constituency work on Thursday evening.

Mr Jones, who opposed Brexit, is regarded as being more on the centre ground of the Conservatives than some. Does he agree with the strong language used by Home Secretary Suella Braverman on immigration? He says:

“Immigration is something that brings out very strong feelings but not in a good way. Some of the language used on all sides of this debate is regrettable.”

One of Mr Jones’ pre-local election newsletters didn’t mention he was a Conservative. Why?

“There was no plan behind that. I think everybody knows I am the Conservative MP.”

Cricket and classical music

Born in Ilkley, Mr Jones father worked in the textile industry in Bradford, and he attended the town’s grammar school.

A party loyalist, he is sometimes described as amiable but bland. Is this fair?

“People should just look at what we’ve actually got done. I think there is merit in civilised discussion and debate. Those who shout loudest aren’t always shouting wisely.

“I don’t think it’s bland in the slightest. I’ve been hugely enthusiastic about what I’ve been doing and managed to get enormous amounts done locally and also on a national basis.”

He cites improved rail services first when asked to name what he’s most proud of.

“If we just look at the rail services we had in our area when I became a MP. Now we have more services, later services, faster services, newer services, new rolling stock, London trains – direct services I’m talking about there – these refurbished stations. These are significant changes.

“We have electric buses in the area and more on the way.”

And his biggest regret or disappointment?

“Interesting question. If I look at our area I look around and I see high performing public services both in education and in health. What would be a disappointment? I’m not sure really.”

Away from politics, he has been a member of Yorkshire County Cricket Club since his Leeds University student days 40 years ago.

He hopes to attend a couple of days of the Ashes Headingley Test and “get to a couple of county matches as well”. He enjoys classical music and says Beethoven and Mahler are “high on the list” but describes himself as a musical “omnivore”.

He also likes reading and walking in the Yorkshire Dales. But with the election approaching, his spare time is likely to be in short supply.

 

Harrogate Borough Council spent £15,000 on staff leaving party

Harrogate Borough Council spent £14,910 on a final day leaving party for staff, a freedom of information request has revealed.

The bill, footed by council taxpayers, included £3,031 on drink and £4,750 on food. The other £7,000 is unaccounted for.

The Stray Ferret has submitted a freedom of information request seeking a fuller breakdown of the costs.

Seven district councils and North Yorkshire County Council were abolished on March 31 to make way for the new North Yorkshire Council.

Harrogate Borough Council’s final day staff party cost the most.

Scarborough was the next highest, spending £9,004, followed by Hambleton at £3,783. Ryedale awarded staff a £148 bonus and spent £3,001 on a party. North Yorkshire County Council did not spend anything.

When the Stray Ferret contacted Conservative-run Harrogate Borough Council in March about a leaving party, a spokesperson replied:

“I’m not aware of any events today to mark the end of Harrogate Borough Council.”

Now it has emerged a party did take place, a public sector worker in Harrogate described it as a “spit in the face of every taxpayer in these difficult financial times”.

The person, who asked not to be named, said:

“The money could have been put towards a million and one other uses.

“I am appalled, disgusted and downright annoyed that this amount was spent without the prior knowledge and consent of the people paying for it.”

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Conor Holohan, media campaign manager of the pressure group the TaxPayers’ Alliance, echoed the concerns. He said:

“Taxpayers will be shocked to find they were funding parties for council staff.

“While residents were struggling with the cost of living crisis, town hall officials were charging them for dinner and drinks.

“Bosses in the new North Yorkshire Council should be more considerate when spending taxpayers’ cash than some of their predecessors were.”

North Yorkshire Council civic centre Knapping Mount

The new signs at Harrogate’s Civic Centre

Staff from the district councils, except the chief executives, transferred to North Yorkshire Council on April 1. It said in a statement:

“The new council for North Yorkshire did not play any part in sanctioning or organising any parties.

“For any further comment you will need to ask the district and borough council decision-makers who were in place at those councils at the time.”

When he stepped down as leader of Harrogate Borough Council, Richard Cooper said he would not give any further public comments and he declined to comment when asked about this matter.

 

Liberal Democrats back creation of Harrogate town council

Liberal Democrats have come out in favour of the creation of a Harrogate town council.

A second consultation on whether to set-up a town council runs until May 5.

North Yorkshire County Council said in March the move would require 35,000 households to pay an additional council tax charge of between £40 and £60.

But local Liberal Democrats said today a town council would enable locally-elected councillors to take control of assets such as off-street car parks, the Stray, Royal Hall, Sun Pavilion and Valley Gardens.

Harrogate and Scarborough are the only parts of the county not to have a parish or town council.

Eight Liberal Democrats, including former Harrogate borough councillors and current North Yorkshire councillors, signed in support of a town council.

Cllr Pat Marsh, chair of North Yorkshire Council‘s area constituency committee for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said her party supported devolving power. She added:

“Without a new town council, Harrogate would be at a real disadvantage when bidding for services to remain local.

“Harrogate residents need to have a voice when it comes to the future of local assets, just as those in Knaresborough, Ripon, Pateley Bridge, Boroughbridge and many other villages in North Yorkshire have.”

Pat Marsh

Cllr Marsh said “unique decisions relating to Harrogate should be being made in Harrogate by people who have received the endorsement of Harrogate residents” rather than councillors in places such as Catterick, Ryedale and Scarborough.

She added:

“Assets that could be considered for control by the town council include off-street car parks, the Stray, Royal Hall, Sun Pavilion, Valley Gardens and the other green and floral spaces within the town.

“Without local protection, these assets are always in danger of being cut by North Yorkshire councillors not from Harrogate.

“A Harrogate town council would also provide a formal representative voice for local residents on planning applications and other consultations.

“Harrogate is a very special place and decisions about our town need to be made by local people who know, love and understand this town.”

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A total of 75% favoured setting up a Harrogate town council in last year’s first consultation but only 1,250 homes — 3.5% of those affected — responded. The low response rate triggered concerns about the validity of the response.

The statement urges residents and businesses to respond to the second consultation before the May 5 deadline.

The Lib Dem councillors who signed today’s statement are:

Pat Marsh — Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone.

Philip Broadbank — Fairfax and Starbeck.

Chris Aldred — High Harrogate and Kingsley

Peter Lacey — Coppice Valley and Duchy

Mike Schofield — Harlow and St Georges

Monika Slater — Bilton Grange and New Park

Honorary alderman Trevor Chapman

Honorary alderman Matthew Webber