Coalition showcases election candidates’ views on climate change

An ensemble of environmental groups has created an online platform where people can see the North Yorkshire Council election candidates’ views on climate change.

North Yorkshire Climate Coalition hopes it will provide clarity to voters over key issues facing the county such as fracking and pollution.

In what is believed to be the first pre-election survey of its kind in the county, all the candidates contesting to serve a five-year term on the new unitary authority have been asked to respond to up to ten questions.

The coalition represents a wide range of community-based interest associations spread across the county, such as Brandsby Women’s Institute, Thirsk Churches Ecology Group, Clapham Sustainability Group and Zero Carbon Harrogate, to CPRE North and East Yorkshire, Thirsk Friends of the Earth and climate action groups for Stokesley, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Nidderdale and Northallerton.

The incoming 90 councillors will make decisions over the extent to which the county’s greenfield sites should be developed – an issue which has generated significant debate in the Harrogate district.

The groups hopes it will help focus candidates’ minds on the damage being caused to the natural world.

On a website launched this week, nyclimatecoalition.org, voters can view how and whether candidates in each of the 89 divisions responded to questions such as what role the region should play in creating energy from onshore wind and solar farms and fracking.

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Candidates were also being challenged to state how the new council should tackle the county’s biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions – transport, agriculture and domestic energy.

David Tonge, of Thirsk Friends of the Earth said numerous candidates had already responded to the survey.
He said:

“In my view it doesn’t look good if you can’t be bothered to respond to something that’s so much in the news at the moment, but candidates are not used to this type of survey.
“What we are trying to achieve is raise the profile of environment and climate issues and get candidates to understand these are important positions. They are going to be deciding on big issues such as the decarbonisation of North Yorkshire, so they need to be well informed.
“This is about raising the bar of our ambition, since the new council will have to rapidly steer a whole regional economy away from fossil fuels in order to meet our share of the national target of a 68 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030. That’s a gigantic challenge and a huge responsibility.”

Election 2022: Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate candidate preview

Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.

A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.

Today, we look at the Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate division which will see five candidates standing for election.

Sam Gibbs, Conservative

The Conservative candidate for the Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate division will be Sam Gibbs.

Mr Gibbs currently sits Harrogate Borough Council representing the Valley Gardens ward.

On his priorities for standing for North Yorkshire Council, Mr Gibbs said:

 

“My priorities are tackling anti-social behaviour, promoting town centre investment, protecting green spaces and ensuring Harrogate remains a great place to live and visit.

“As a borough councillor since 2018 I have campaigned to protect Rotary Wood, to tackle town centre anti-social behaviour and to keep our streets tidy.

“Harrogate has recovered well from the pandemic. Our retail vacancy rates are at 8.2% – well below the national average and the council distributed over £93m to local businesses during covid. The Convention Centre brings around £30m into the local economy annually and underpins thousands of jobs. We must support it.”

He added:

“Parking charges should be kept low. Most have not been increased in eight years and parking is far cheaper than York and Leeds.

“As a trustee of Harrogate and District Community Action, and through my work with the Local Fund, I have supported community groups who do fantastic work and help our most vulnerable.”

Paul Ko Ferrigno, Green Party

Paul Ko Ferrigno will be standing for the Green Party in the division.

A scientist in biology and biochemistry, Mr Ferrigno coaches grassroots football and is a governor at two local primary schools.

He also founded Wetherby-based Avacta Life Sciences. Mr Ferrigno said he felt strongly about cuts to local government funding, which he believes has “negatively impacted” education.

 

He said:

“The Green Party is the only party to put the future first. What I have learned is those small decisions can lead to massive changes. 

“I want to take this lesson and apply it to every decision made by the new council so that we can improve our local communities by thinking about the long term impact of each proposal on our children and their future.”

Lucy Gardiner, Independent

Local businesswoman Lucy Gardiner will be standing as an independent in the Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate division.

Ms Gardiner said among her priorities will be to improve infrastructure, clean up the town centre, support businesses and reduce congestion.

 

 

She said:

“I hold Harrogate very close to my heart. I am very proud that it’s my hometown, where I have my interiors business and where I bring up my family. We must protect its future. 

“For far too long the councils haven’t been transparent nor fully engaged with the residents and businesses. Rather than towing a party line, I wish to use the wealth of knowledge at our finger tips by engaging with local people, businesses and groups to protect our heritage, while encouraging positive change for the future.”

She added:

“We need proper infrastructure before any more house building is passed. Smarten up our town centre and support our businesses, to lead the way on the high street.

“Reduce congestion with well connected travel schemes for all not the few. Protect our Stray and gardens for a greener brighter future.”

Andrew Williamson, Labour

Andrew Williamson will be standing for the Labour Party in Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate.

Mr Williamson has lived in Harrogate for most of his life and works in the private sector, but has previously worked for Harrogate Borough Council.

He said he wanted to get involve with the Labour Party due to his concern over the loss of the district councils.

Mr Williamson said he felt the best way to represent those who may be affected by the abolition of the lower-tier authorities was to stand himself.

He said:

“I have been an active member of the Labour Party for about six months now. I wanted to get involved because I’m concerned about what impact the abolition of North Yorkshire’s district councils might have on local services and amenities.

“I believe strong Labour representation on the new unitary authority is the best way to protect the services our communities depend upon.”

David Johnson, Liberal Democrat

David Johnson is the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate division.

A Harrogate resident for 30 years, Mr Johnson works as a librarian and was the secretary of the local Liberal Democrat constituency party.

He said he takes an interest in library policy issues, but has also campaigned on issues such as the European Union, fracking and children’s food allergies.

 

Mr Johnson said:

“There needs to be more done to deal with congestion on our roads and improve the local bus services. There is a need for more social housing in Harrogate.”

Election 2022: Coppice Valley and Duchy candidate preview

Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.

A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.

Today, we look at the Coppice Valley and Duchy division which will see five candidates standing for election.

Graham Swift, Conservative

Graham Swift will be standing as the Conservative candidate for the Coppice Valley and Duchy division on North Yorkshire Council.

Mr Swift sits on Harrogate Borough Council and is the deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development on the authority.

He currently represents the Harrogate Duchy ward on the borough council, to which he was elected in 2018.

Mr Swift moved to Harrogate in 2010 after spending most of his working life living and working abroad for a large food company.

Mr Swift, who is the only candidate who lives in Coppice Valley and Duchy division, said:

“I have a proven and long track record of correspondence with and action for residents and I don’t just turn up at elections. 

“Actions include improving public space, liaising with police to reduce crime and supporting residents in getting better services. I am already an established district councillor and the future unitary council will strengthen my ability to support residents on a much wider range of issues.”

Leighton Regayre, Green Party

Leighton Regayre is set to stand for the Green Party in Coppice Valley and Duchy ward.

Mr Regayre is a climate science researcher at the University of Leeds and has lived in North Yorkshire for more than 20 years.

He said he was standing because he wants to tackle the climate emergency and cost of living crisis.

He said:

“We subsidise hugely profitable fossil fuel companies rather than taxing them fairly. Yet, a Green New Deal offers a huge economic opportunity.

“With a Green New Deal, we could put people to work insulating our nation’s homes and investing in future renewable technologies.

“The Green Party is committed to making these things happen. Yorkshire has an important role in any progressive future vision for the UK.

“I want to help Yorkshire lead the implementation of a Green New Deal that brings near-term prosperity to our region and long-term security to our nation and planet.”

Daniel Thompson, Independent

Daniel Thompson is standing as an independent candidate in the division on May 5.

Born and raised in Harrogate, Mr Thompson said he wanted to “bring new energy and ideas to the table” which would be “unconstrained by a political party”.

He said:

“During this campaign I could talk about potholes and dog poo but we have to tackle the elephant in the room, housing.

“The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have signed away our green fields to national developers with a town plan that was never fit for purpose.

“They talk of sustainable homes but where are the locally sourced building materials; solar panels, electric charging points; cycle lanes? Where are the new schools; new doctors surgeries, new dentists? Where is the funding for greater capacity in our NHS A&E?”

Mr Thompson, who also runs a business in the town, added that he would be “fighting for an immediate halt and reversal to all multi home planning approvals”.

“In truth, we need to be ambitious, proposing a new settlement near to road and rail links, surrounded by new woodland and benchmarked by the highest standard of sustainable construction.”

Patricia Foxall, Labour

The Labour Party candidate for Coppice Valley and Duchy will be Patricia Foxall.

Ms Foxall has lived in in Harrogate for more than 40 years and brought her children up in the town.

She spent most of her working life in local government, but has since retired. Ms Foxall said she would fight to reverse cuts to council grants.

Ms Foxall added that she would also make housing one of her priorities.

She said:

“The council have finally produced a housing plan.

“However, it fails to address the desperate need for affordable housing and the need for local services to keep pace with development. That said, I am in favour of all parts of the district taking a share of new housing.”

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Peter Lacey, Liberal Democrat

Peter Lacey will be standing for the Liberal Democrats in the division on May 5.

Mr Lacey runs a strategic consulting business in the health and care sector and is also the executive committee member of Knaresborough’s Chamber of Trade and a director of the Community Land Trust.

He said he believes strongly in “the need to devolve more decision making to local communities”.

Mr Lacey said:

“Building community engagement and doing more to support neighbours is important to developing stronger local communities.”

Mr Lacey, who is a local methodist, is also chair of Knaresborough Connectors, a community development organisation that has grown out of the covid response working with the county council’s Stronger Communities department.

He added:

“I will work to see a clear, locally owned and deliverable strategic plan developed for the town that embraces all elements from tourism to manufacturing, which are key to bringing high quality, well paid jobs to our area.”

Election hustings

The Stray Ferret is hosting an election hustings at the Wesley Centre on Tuesday, April 26, at the Wesley Centre in Harrogate.

The event is a chance for you to ask your local election candidates who will be standing in divisions in Harrogate the questions that matter to you.

For more information and to book your free ticket for the evening, visit our Eventbrite page.

Election 2022: Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone candidate preview

Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.

A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.

Today, we look at the Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone division which will see four candidates standing for election.

John Ennis, Conservative

John Ennis, Conservative.

John Ennis, who currently sits on both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, will be standing for the Conservatives in two-weeks’ time.

Mr Ennis said his priorities ahead of the election will be environment and open green space.

 

 

He said:

“I live within the Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone ward, the only candidate from a major party who does.  I have been a resident for over 25 years, and am Andrew Jones MP’s endorsed candidate for our ward.

“My priority is our environment and precious green spaces, especially the Stray, Hookstone Woods and Panhandle Park.  On my initiative new trees have been planted, ‘heritage’ lampstands installed, seating areas improved, new paths laid for walkers.

“I have a record of getting the small things done that make a difference:  street signs and street lights repaired, potholes filled and roads resurfaced, litter and graffiti removed promptly, anti-social behaviour tackled.”

Mr Ennis added that he believes his 12 years as a councillor at both county and borough level is the “best guarantee of results” for the division.

Anna McIntee, Independents

Local resident Anna McIntee is set to stand as an independent candidate in the Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone division on May 5.

A mum-of-three, Ms Mctinee will be one of five independent candidates standing for North Yorkshire Council in divisions within Harrogate.

She said she was standing as she believes the town needs “fresh, forward thinking”.

 

 

Ms McIntee said:

“I have lived and worked in Harrogate for 15 years, raising my three daughters here, who attend a local school, and I’m very passionate about Harrogate and its future.”

Among her priorities include saving green spaces, a community led housing plan and transparent council finances.

She added:

“Like many of us, I have watched the town centre decline, shops close down, pollution increase, and our Victorian heritage slip away.

“We need some fresh, forward thinking on the council, with a new vision and joined up plans.”

Helen Burke, Labour

Helen Burke, who has lived in Harrogate for 44 years, is set to stand for Labour in the Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone division.

Ms Burke, who has worked as a welfare rights worker, said she has spent most of her life working to support people on benefits and “to appeal against unjust decisions”.

She is also a member of the campaigning group Keep Our NHS Public, which campaigns for better resources for hospitals and the NHS.

The Labour Party will be fielding 12 candidates in Harrogate and Knaresborough at the local elections in two weeks time.

Chris Watt, acting chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency party, told the Stray Ferret previously that the party is campaigning on housing, public transport and working with police to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Patricia Marsh, Liberal Democrats

Patricia Marsh, who is currently leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Harrogate Borough Council, is set to stand for North Yorkshire Council.

Ms Marsh has been a councillor for 32 years and lived in Hookstone for more than 40 years.

She said that she wants to listen to and work with local residents to improve not only her ward but all of Harrogate.

 

Ms Marsh said:

“It is important that more is done to protect our green spaces, fix potholes, make the town a cleaner place and where possible address issues of inappropriate development. 

“There needs to be improved partnership working between local business and the County Council.

“The level of road congestion  and pollution we have to suffer is becoming intolerable. We need an integrated Park and Ride scheme for the town.”

She added that Harrogate would need a new secondary school and that she would campaign for a town council to replace Harrogate Borough Council.

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Harrogate Election Hustings: your chance to quiz the candidates

The Stray Ferret is hosting an election hustings in Harrogate ahead of a crucial polling day for the town.

In what will prove to be the biggest change in local government in North Yorkshire since the 1970s, this is your chance to grill candidates standing in Harrogate on the future of the town.

The elections on May 5 will be the last before North Yorkshire Council replaces Harrogate Borough Council and the six districts.

It will leave Harrogate without a town council and raises questions over the future of the town itself.

Those attending the hustings will be standing for the new council and will answer questions on behalf of their party locally.

This is your chance to put questions to candidates on the issues that matter to you, whether that be housing, highways or the local economy.

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The Stray Ferret Hustings: 

The hustings will be held at the Wesley Centre, Oxford Street, on Tuesday, April 26, from 7pm until 9pm and will be free for the public to attend.

All parties including Labour, Conservative, the Liberal Democrats, Green Party and the independents have been invited to attend the event.

Four out of five of the parties have indicated their intention to take part – the Conservatives have yet to respond to the invitation.

Confirmation of the candidates attending the hustings will be made closer to the date.

If you would like to submit a question to put to the candidates, send it to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk with the subject heading “hustings question”. We will also take on the night from the audience.

To book a tickets for the hustings click here.

Unison Harrogate canvasses election candidates over ‘shameful’ council pay

Unison in Harrogate is to write to next month’s local election candidates to find out their stance on local government pay.

Davie Houlgate, secretary of the Harrogate local government branch, said the union was looking to lodge a pay claim for the 2022/23 financial year.

The move comes after Unison’s attempt to call a strike in January over a 1.75% pay offer in the previous year failed because not enough members turned out to vote.

The trade union had branded the pay offer ‘derisory’.

The offer followed a national consultation by the Local Government Association, which is the national membership body for local authorities, over a pay increase.

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Mr Houlgate said the union was now considering another pay claim because the cost of living crisis is “squeezing” workers’ pay packets.

He added that officials will be writing to candidates ahead of the election in North Yorkshire on May 5 to find out their stance on the issue.

Mr Houlgate said:

“Local government pay must be increased to match the cost of living squeeze our members are now experiencing on the back of year-on-year below inflation pay increases.

“Without a decent above-inflation pay rise to help workers meet soaring costs, vital council services will struggle to hang on to skilled staff which could put some services at risk. Indeed this is already happening.

“Council workers need an above inflation pay rise, simply to try to catch-up with what they have lost in real terms over the past decade – a 25% pay cut. But it is more imperative than ever as a result of the cost-of living crisis we are now in.

“The situation is unsustainable and cannot go on.”

He added:

“We need to know if candidates have any idea of the enormity of the problems faced by council staff.  

“It’s shameful that people that make our towns and villages so attractive or do high skilled, essential and much-valued jobs on which everyone depends, don’t get paid enough to meet their basic costs.”

Baroness enters battle for Masham at next month’s election

The owner of Swinton Estate in Masham has thrown her hat into the ring to be one of 90 councillors elected to North Yorkshire Council.

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, whose formal title is Baroness Masham, has put herself forward as an independent candidate when voters head to the polls on May 5.

She will stand in the Masham and Fountains division against Conservative Margaret Atkinson, who has held the division for nine years, and Liberal Democrat Judith Hooper.

All three candidates have spoken to the Stray Ferret this week.

Conservative: ‘My priorities are the community and the countryside’

Conservative Margaret Atkinson has represented Masham and Fountains on North Yorkshire County Council for nine years and Fountains and Ripley on Harrogate Borough Council for 20 years.

Ms Atkinson, who lives in Kirkby Malzeard, said abolishing the two councils for the new unitary authority was a “brilliant idea” because it would devolve more power and funding directly to local communities.

 

 

She said her priorities would remain the same:

“My priorities have always been the community and the countryside. They are two huge issues for this rural area.”

Ms Atkinson, who lives on a farm, said she was concerned about the closure of rural schools and the impact of high house prices on young people, as well as by the ageing population and the state of roads.

She said she had been “fighting for these things” constantly and the lack of progress in some areas was down to “shortage of money” from national government. She felt the devolution agenda would make it easier for the new council to take decisive action.

Asked what set her apart from her rivals, she said it was her long-term commitment to local causes and her deep roots in the community:

“I have always lived in this area. I went to school in this area and did my children and grandchildren.”

Independent: ‘I feel like I’ve got a lot to give’

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister has owned the Swinton estate with her husband Mark since 2000 and the couple have spent the past two decades building up the business.

But she says the time is right to do something different and to help others in the rural community.

 

 

 

She said:

“I have been running a business now for over 20 years with around 150 members of staff.

“I feel like I have got quite a lot to give and have some great experience.”

Ms Cunliffe-Lister said retaining young people in rural areas and improving standards of services elderly residents were key issues for the new council.

“I feel that we have to do everything we can to improve young people’s opportunities.

“I want young people in this area to feel engaged in their rural communities. I do think there is a lot to be said to draw in all the resources that we have. Businesses for example, they are a great resource.”

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She described loneliness, particularly among older people in rural areas like Masham, as a “simple but profound issue”.

A lawyer from Devon, Ms Cunliffe-Lister has been a governor at Masham Primary School for four years, a trustee at Masham Almshouses, a charity that provides housing for those in need, and has also served on charity boards in Ripon and the north east.

Her goals, if elected, include improving “faith in the system” and finding something tangible from the government’s “levelling up” agenda. She said:

“I would like to feel that if I was elected there would be a level of engagement that they [the residents] do not feel is there at the moment.”

Ms Cunliffe-Lister also highlighted more immediate issues, such as fixing potholes.

Despite being new to the political arena and heading into a campaign without a team, she said she felt ready to “get out there”.

Liberal Democrat: “passionate about openness and community”

Liberal Democrat candidate Judith Hooper and her husband have a smallholding of 11 acres that they are rewilding.

She worked closely with councillors during her career as a GP and director of public health in Kirklees. Most recently she helped at covid vaccination centres

Her priorities are engaging with communities to understand their issues and addressing inequalities.

 

 

“I am appalled by the lack of contact with local councillors since moving into the area eight years ago.”

Her priorities are: holding regular public meetings rather than “taking votes for granted”, getting fair planning decisions and “tackling the climate crisis and thus fuel issues and increasing fuel poverty”.

She added she wanted to see more opportunities for activities for young people and to see what could be done to address the playground flooding in Masham.

“Probably above all, I am a Lib Dem because I’m passionate about openness, communities working with local people and the environment

“Our house is moving towards being carbon neutral by ground source heating and having planted nearly 4,000 trees and shrubs ,which help to offset some of our carbon emissions.”

Full list of candidates

Voters will head to the polls on May 5 to elect councillors to the new North Yorkshire Council, which will replace both North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council.

The Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, Green Party and independents have all fielded candidates ahead of polling day.

You can read the full list of candidates here.

Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed

The list of candidates standing for election to the new North Yorkshire Council in the Harrogate district has been revealed.

Voters will head to the polls on May 5 to elect councillors to the authority, which will replace both North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council.

The Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, Green Party and independents have all fielded candidates ahead of polling day.

Harrogate Borough Council has published a list of election agents and names of candidates. A full list of party candidates will be published today (April 6).

A total of 21 councillors will be elected from the Harrogate district as the council is made up of new divisions.

The deadline to register to vote is Thursday, April 14. You can register here.

List of Harrogate district election candidates

Coppice Valley and Duchy

Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate

Bilton Grange and New Park

Harlow and St Georges

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Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone

Fairfax and Starbeck

Bilton and Nidd Gorge

High Harrogate and Kingsley

Knaresborough West

Knaresborough East

Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate

Oatlands and Pannal

Boroughbridge and Claro

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Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale and Tockwith

Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale

Ripon Minster and Moorside

Ripon Ure Bank and Spa

Washburn and Birstwith

Wathvale and Bishop Monkton

Ouseburn

Masham and Fountains

Council chiefs want ‘seamless transition’ to new North Yorkshire Council

North Yorkshire residents should see a “seamless transition” of council services when a new unitary authority covering the whole county launches in April 2023, council chiefs have said.

The new North Yorkshire Council will replace the existing county and district councils – with elections set to take place on 5 May.

It will mark the biggest changes to local government in the county since 1974 and will see key services from bin collections to social care, and street cleaning to leisure centres, come under the control of the new council.

Wallace Sampson, chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council, told a virtual public meeting on Monday that the transition was now fast approaching and staff from all existing councils were working together to ensure services run smoothly from day one.

He said:

“There isn’t a lot of time to prepare for local government reorganisation and the new authority coming into force from 1 April 2023.

“All eight councils are really working hard to make sure the transition to the new North Yorkshire Council is as seamless as possible.”

The restructuring is linked to a devolution deal for North Yorkshire which could get millions of pounds in funding, more decision-making powers and an elected mayor by 2024.

The government had stipulated a key requirement of any deal was for the current two-tier councils system to be replaced by a single unitary authority.

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The aim is to streamline structures and save money, with some of the savings coming from a reduction in senior staff including the eight current chief executives.

Paul Shevlin, chief executive of Craven District Council, told yesterday’s meeting that another aim is to “keep the local in local government”.

He said each of the seven districts – including Craven, Harrogate, Selby, Scarborough, Richmondshire, Hambleton and Ryedale – would each still have a local council office under the reorganisation plans.

Mr Shevlin said:

“We need to look after not just the most vulnerable, but everybody in our society so a local office is going to be crucial.

“Some of the judgements on day one will be: Did you notice a difference? Could you access your local council?

“If the answer to those is yes, then we will have made a successful immediate transition.

“After that comes the transformation.”

Mr Shevlin also said six local area constituency committees were likely to be created on the new council – with 15 councillors on each given decision-making powers over services including licensing and planning.

In total, 90 councillors will be elected on 5 May to serve one year on North Yorkshire County Council before transitioning to the new unitary authority for a four-year term.

Mr Shevlin added:

“This really is the most important election in North Yorkshire since the last local government reorganisation in 1974.

“Please make sure you are registered to vote, and please do vote.”

A series of virtual events are being held this month for residents to find out more about the new North Yorkshire Council.

For more information go to www.northyorks.gov.uk/new-council-virtual-roadshows

Harrogate Tory leader attacks Lib Dems for using Dundee printers

The leader of Conservative-run Harrogate Borough Council has attacked the local Liberal Democrats for using a firm in Dundee to print a leaflet urging people to ‘buy local’.

Richard Cooper criticised the move in a post on the Community News website run by Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough. Cllr Cooper is employed by Mr Jones as his office manager,

It is a sign that the North Yorkshire Council election campaign is hotting up ahead of the vote on May 5.

Mr Cooper said it was “critical that we use local businesses where we can”.

According to the post, other local Liberal Democrat literature has been printed in York and Chesterfield.

Cllr Cooper said:

“It is critical that we use local businesses where we can and there are a lot of good local printers who would have wanted this business.

“It really is strange to call on others to ‘buy local’ when you are buying from York, Chesterfield and even Dundee!”.

Cllr Cooper, who has said he will not be seeking re-election next month, also said the leaflet’s ‘greener’ agenda was at odds with its creation.

Carbon footprint

He said:

“Even if they didn’t want to use local printers for some reason was it really necessary to go 60-odd miles north of Edinburgh? The carbon footprint of their literature is enormous.

“When you tell people you want to ‘buy local’ and ‘be greener’ you have to match your actions with words.”

The post said all election campaign leaflets published by Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservatives were printed in Harrogate and Mr Jones’ annual reports were printed in Knaresborough.

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Pat Marsh, leader of Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, told the Stray Ferret that the Conservatives “should really have bigger things to be worrying about than where we print our material”, such as spiralling energy bills, the fallout of war in Ukraine and “businesses feeling the bite of Brexit”.

Cllr Marsh added:

“This is a particularly strange attack from the Conservatives who, during the pandemic, took £10,000 of grants to pay for their office.

“We think these grants should have been used to support local businesses, not on political party campaigns. Since they print a lot of their material at their office many people will be questioning whether their taxpayers money is helping to fund Conservative election leaflets.”

She added that the Liberal Democrats’ process for using outside suppliers was to “try and get the best value for money”, which was “something Conservative-run Harrogate council could learn from”, adding:

“They spent £5,000 on a giant snow globe that was displayed in London for two days over Christmas and £700 on social media influencers. This is on top of the £13 million they wasted on a council office for a council their own government is abolishing.”