Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret is previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.
A total of 21 seats will be contested in the district with most of the major parties standing in each one.
Today, we look at the Oatlands and Pannal division, where four candidates have put themselves forward.
John Mann, Conservative
John Mann is the Conservative candidate for Oatlands and Pannal division.
Mr Mann is currently a councillor on Harrogate Borough Council, representing Harrogate Pannal ward.
He is also chair of the authority’s planning committee.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Mann for comment for this preview, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
A Conservative party spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they were confident in their election campaign and pledged to continue investing in services across North Yorkshire if elected.
A party spokesperson said:
“The Conservatives are fielding an experienced slate of candidates. This is important as we argue the case for local services with settlements from Selby to Richmond and Whitby to Settle.
“That case includes continued investment in local services that has seen a new pool in Ripon and the start of a new pool and leisure centre in Knaresborough.”
Gillian Charters, Green Party
Gillian Charters is standing for the Green Party in Oatlands and Pannal division.
Ms Charters taught at a Knaresborough comprehensive school for 20 years before retraining as a probation officer.
She now works part-time for a Quaker special school in North Yorkshire.
For 30 years, she has been a member of the Green Party, which she says is the party that has “both the environment and social justice at its heart”.
Ms Charters said she was standing for North Yorkshire Council because she wants to “improve living conditions and the environment” within the area.
Margaret Smith, Labour
The Labour candidate for Oatlands and Pannal is Margaret Smith.
Ms Smith worked for several years at a further education college before setting up a business focused on the use of IT in communities and small to medium-sized enterprises.
She said the company employed up to 25 people and provided opportunities to people, particularly those with childcare responsibilities.
On why she is standing, Ms Smith said:
“Although not resident in the actual division, I live quite close and regularly walk through the Oatlands area, use its facilities and have conversations with people out and about.
“It is one of Labour’s many environmental policies which will have a major impact in the area. We intend to invest in reducing residential streets to safe environments where families can walk, cycle and play, e.g by stipulating a 20 mph speed limit in residential areas.”
She added:
“Pannal has for some years now suffered by being used as a “rat run” for drivers coming from new housing developments built in areas of the town without appropriate infrastructure – something which must be stopped.
“Residents on the streets around the Leeds Road traffic lights in Oatlands are now experiencing the same problem with motorists trying to avoid the lights on the main road. These are narrow streets with an infant school located on one of them – Cromwell Road.”
Ms Smith added that she would also support a town council for Harrogate and devolution of powers to parish councils, such as Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council.
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
Justin Chan, Liberal Democrat
Justin Chan will be standing for the Liberal Democrats in the division on May 5.
Mr Chan is a lifelong Harrogate resident and currently works in retail as a customer services assistant.
He has a degree in politics and spent a year at Catania University in Sicily as part of an Erasmus exchange.
Mr Chan said he believes North Yorkshire Council should aim to create jobs, affordable and social housing and ease traffic congestion.
He said:
Election 2022: Bilton and Nidd Gorge candidate preview“It’s important to make local voices heard and to allow councillors strong decision-making powers to enable them to campaign for their local communities.
“The new local authority should aim to create jobs, affordable and social housing and ease traffic congestion perhaps with a park-and-ride scheme. I will work to ensure Harrogate gets its own town council.”
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 Bilton and Nidd Gorge division which will see three candidates standing for election.
Paul Haslam, Conservative
Paul Haslam is the Conservative candidate for Bilton and Nidd Gorge division.
Mr Haslam, who lives in Bilton, is currently a councillor on Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, where he represents the area.
On his priorities for standing, Mr Haslam said:
“I am passionate about all things Bilton, having lived on Bilton Lane since 2006
“My priorities continue to be serving the people of Bilton, protecting our green environment especially our green spaces such as the Nidd Gorge and protecting our urban environment. I set up quarterly Bilton residents’ meetings at the United Reformed Church in July 2021 to bring together residents, Harrogate Borough Council safer communities team and the police to locate and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in our area.
“Maintaining the best local primary education facilities possible, make sure we are well represented in the new council and that the services are maintained and improved as the new council takes on its new responsibilities.
“I will work with others such as Councillor Matt Scott and our MP Andrew Jones to get the best for Harrogate and Knaresborough as well as my division.”
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
Deborah Havercroft, Labour
The Labour candidate for Bilton and Nidd Gorge is Deborah Havercroft.
Ms Havercroft lives in Bilton and works in the NHS. She also worked for the Ministry of Defence and in education.
She said she has made the cost of living and congestion on Skipton Road some of her priorities for standing.
Ms Havercroft said:
“I am aware of the hardships that will be caused to local families by increased living costs, especially energy and fuel and would urge NYCC to find a solution to the traffic congestion in Harrogate, particularly on Skipton Road.”
Andrew Kempston-Parkes, Liberal Democrat
Andrew Kempston-Parkes is the Liberal Democrat candidate for the division.
Mr Kempston-Parkes is a former councillor and works as a chartered surveyor. During the pandemic, he volunteered at a homelessness charity and at a covid vaccination centre.
He said among his priorities would be to oppose major housing developments and work with police to “make Bilton and Woodfield safer”.
Mr Kempston-Parkes said:
Housing and congestion dominate Harrogate hustings“We need to protect our green fields.
“I will work with the police to continue to make Bilton and Woodfield safer places to be. I will also make sure education and services for children are a top priority.
“The establishment of a new Harrogate Town Council is vital to ensure continued strong local representation of residents views to the County Council.”
Candidates standing for the upcoming North Yorkshire Council elections were quizzed by an audience in Harrogate last night.
The Stray Ferret held an election hustings chaired by editor John Plummer at the Wesley Centre ahead of a landmark polling day for the town.
Questions on housing and congestion featured heavily on the night, as well as the environment, the Stray and a Harrogate town council.
Voters will head to the polls on May 5 to elect councillors to the new North Yorkshire Council.
The election will be the last before the authority replaces North Yorkshire County Council and seven district councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, in what will prove to be the biggest shakeup in local government since the 1970s.
Labour, the Liberal Democrats, Green Party and Independents all attended the hustings on Tuesday evening – but the Conservatives declined.
You can watch the full hustings below.
Housing and congestion
The candidates first faced a question on how they would ensure roads and local services could cope with ongoing housebuilding in Harrogate.
Labour’s Chris Watt, who is standing in Fairfax and Starbeck division, said:
“The first thing I would do is work with local residents to oppose housing developments where there is not adequate infrastructure.”
He pointed to developments on Kingsley Drive as an example.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Fairfax and Starbeck, Philip Broadbank, said he felt the council should encourage more people out of cars.
He said:
“We have to encourage people to get out of there cars and use them less.
“We also need investment in public transport.”
(From left) Bill Rigby, Chris Watt, John Plummer, Philip Broadbank and Sarah Hart.
Bill Rigby, who is standing for the Green Party in Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate, said the number of cars on the road needed to be reduced.
“The main way you can reduce the traffic is by reducing the number of cars.”
Sarah Hart, Independent candidate for Harlow and St George’s, said:
“We need the right homes in the right places.
“We need more homes for local people who work here. And they should be in suitable locations.”T
Town council and the Stray
Meanwhile, the candidates were also asked about how the Stray would be used under the new council and who would look after it.
Mr Watt said:
“There should be a local community work on the Stray.”
He added that people should be involved in what happens with the Stray and what events are held on it.
Mr Rigby agreed that local people should be involved in deciding what happens with the Stray.
“I agree that the community should be involved in its management.”
He added that he would support the introduction of a town council to take control of the Stray.
Ms Hart agreed that the community should look after the Stray and supported creating a Harrogate Town Council.
“If there is a Harrogate Town Council, then they should protect it.”
Mr Broadbank said that the Stray was “unique” and added that Valley Gardens should also be considered for events too.
Hustings in full
The candidates also fielded questions on a Killinghall bypass, the environment and opposition parties working together.
You can watch the full debate below.
Election 2022: High Harrogate and Kingsley candidates previewAhead 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 High Harrogate and Kingsley division which will see three candidates standing for election.
Tim Myatt, Conservative
Tim Myatt will be standing for the Conservatives in the division at the election on May 5.
Mr Myatt currently represents High Harrogate on Harrogate Borough Council, which he was elected to in 2018.
He is also the cabinet member for planning on the authority.
Mr Myatt said his priority ahead of standing for North Yorkshire Council is to ensure Harrogate is a great place to live with investment in the town centre.
He said:
“My priority is to ensure our area of Harrogate is a great place to live, with investment in local services and the town centre. I live near Harrogate High School and am the only candidate to live in the ward. I care about our area because it is my area too.
“I have been active in opposing over-intensive development in Kingsley and off Claro Road, including formally objecting to the current proposals off Kingsley Drive. I’ve also been working with residents to lower the impact of development on the wider community, such as developers working anti-social hours or leaving dirty roads.
“I have worked to reduce graffiti, litter and potholes, and have secured investment to improve the One Arch which will begin later this year. We also have plans to tackle anti-social behaviour on this important route into town, as well as other locations across High Harrogate and Kingsley.”
Geoff Foxall, Labour
Geoff Foxall will be standing for the Labour Party on polling day.
Mr Foxall is a retired teacher and as chair of Starbeck Residents’ Association campaigned against the relief road through the Nidd Gorge.
He said his priorities ahead of standing for North Yorkshire Council were to protect the interests of working families and to safeguard the environment.
Mr Foxall said:
“As Chair of Starbeck Residents Association, I was active in opposing a relief road through the Nidd Gorge and creating a community woodland in the Green Belt between Harrogate and Knaresborough. I have also opposed overdevelopment in the Starbeck and Kingsley Road areas of Harrogate.
“I have eight years of experience as a Labour Councillor on Harrogate District Council including four years as Group Leader.
“If elected for a new North Yorkshire County Council, I shall defend the interests of working families in Harrogate and safeguard our environment.”
Chris Aldred, Liberal Democrat
The Liberal Democrat candidate for High Harrogate and Kingsley division is Chris Aldred.
Mr Aldred sits on Harrogate Borough Council and represents Harrogate Fairfax ward.
He is currently the chair of the authority’s Overview and Scrutiny Commission.
Mr Aldred said he was standing to ensure residents have a “strong alternative voice” on North Yorkshire Council.
He said:
“I have over 20 years’ experience as a council officer throughout the county – I know how to hold the Tories to account.
“I have lived in Harrogate over 20 years. I am fighting this election to ensure residents have a strong alternative voice on the new council.
“For – better schools, public transport, protecting & enhancing our local green space, improved Social Care. Against overdevelopment, wasting your money on vanity projects.”
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
Baroness Masham removes posters after Tory complaint
Swinton Estate owner Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, who is standing as an Independent in next month’s local elections, has removed some roadside posters after Conservative complaints.
In a sign of the election campaign hotting up, the Stray Ferret received an anonymous message today saying the Skipton and Ripon Conservative Association had alerted Harrogate Borough Council to ‘a breach of political campaigning rules’.
The message said Ms Cunliffe-Lister, whose formal title is Baroness Masham, had breached the rules by erecting the signs on roadside verges maintained by North Yorkshire County Council, the highways authority.
When we contacted Ms Cunliffe-Lister today she said she had just spoken with Harrogate Borough Council and had agreed to remove some posters following a “minor misunderstanding of the rules”.
She said she had permission from a landowner to put signs up on private land but the council had explained that “some posters are on the highways verge rather than private land”. She added:
“It was a minor misunderstanding of the rules. I thought I had permission from the landowner.
“I’m new to all this — I haven’t taken part in elections before and it was down to my misinterpretation of the rules. We all have to obey the rules, which is why I will remove them.”
Read more:
- Baroness enters battle for Masham at next month’s election
- Crashes ‘common’ on bend near Harrogate village, says resident
A spokesperson for Skipton and Ripon Conservative Association said it had “flagged up” the issue on Friday because “you can’t put posters up on county council verges”.
Asked if it was happy with the action Ms Cunliffe-Lister intended to take, the spokesperson said:
“As long as they have been removed that’s absolutely fine.”
The signs were put up just outside Ripley on the B6165 road to Pateley Bridge.
Elections to the new North Yorkshire Council, which will replace North Yorkshire County Council and seven district councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, take place on May 5.
Ms Cunliffe-Lister is standing against Conservative Margaret Atkinson, who currently represents Masham and Fountains on North Yorkshire County Council and Fountains and Ripley on Harrogate Borough Council, and Liberal Democrat Judith Hooper.
The Stray Ferret has contacted Harrogate Borough Council for comment.
Election 2022: Wathvale and Bishop Monkton candidate previewAhead 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 Wathvale and Bishop Monkton division which will see three candidates standing for election.
Nick Brown, Conservative
Nick Brown will be standing as the Conservative candidate for Wathvale and Bishop Monkton division on May 5.
Mr Brown is currently the Bishop Monkton and Newby ward councillor on Harrogate Borough Council, which he has served for the past 14 years.
He said his priorities for the North Yorkshire Council would be to help oversee the transition to the new council and help further “democracy, openness, cost savings and efficiency”.
Mr Brown said:
“I have served the community in this role for the past 14 years, working hard for all residents, regardless of their political persuasion, and with every ward parish council in the area.
“I have often spoken out on behalf of residents and their local issues, representing them vigorously regarding matters of interest to his electorate.”
Mr Brown added that he wanted to campaign for a “better deal” for rural areas from the new unitary council.
Hannah Corlett, Green Party
Hannah Corlett will be standing for the Green Party in the division on polling day.
Ms Corlett has lived in the village of Melmerby for the last five years and is a communications officer at Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust.
She joined the Green Party two years ago, which she has described as a “turning point” in her life.
Ms Corlett said she wants to see a “change in direction that people lead”, which she believes can be achieved from “the ground up”.
She said:
“When I joined the Green Party in 2020, it was part of a turning point in my life. I got involved with their activism straight away, fighting Harrogate Spring Waters expansion into Rotary Wood, public woodland.
“Opening my eyes to the damage that is happening to our planet and the part we play in it, in the UK, driven by poor ideological policies. I want to see a change in direction that people lead, and I believe we can do this from the ground up with grassroots activism.”
Christopher Knight, Liberal Democrat
The Liberal Democrat candidate for the Wathvale and Bishop Monkton division will be Christopher Knight.
Mr Knight moved to the Yorkshire Dales in 2013 and is a semi-retired business consultant.
He said he is a believer in strong representation and “collaborative politics”.
Mr Knight said:
“I joined the Liberal Democrats in 2016 and I became active in the General Election campaign of 2019, supporting our Parliamentary Candidate Andrew Murday.
“I am a semi-retired business consultant who has lived and worked in several countries, and I speak French, German and some Italian. I am a passionate believer in strong local representation as well as collaborative politics at a regional, national and international level.”
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
A separate by-election for the Wathvale ward on Harrogate Borough Council will also be held on May 5.
The election will see a new councillor elected to represent the ward on the borough council.
You can read more on the candidates here.
Election 2022: Knaresborough West candidate previewAhead 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 Knaresborough West division which will see three candidates standing for election.
Philip Ireland, Conservative
Philip Ireland will stand as the Conservative candidate for Knaresborough West division.
Mr Ireland, who lives in the town, currently represents Knaresborough Aspin and Calcutt ward on Harrogate Borough Council.
He is the cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability on the authority.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Ireland for comment for this preview, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
A Conservative party spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that they were confident in their election campaign and pledged to continue investing in services across North Yorkshire if elected.
A party spokesperson said:
“The Conservatives are fielding an experienced slate of candidates. This is important as we argue the case for local services with settlements from Selby to Richmond and Whitby to Settle.
“That case includes continued investment in local services that has seen a new pool in Ripon and the start of a new pool and leisure centre in Knaresborough.
“We are investing in the Hydro to provide more leisure facilities for local people.
“We need to continue the investment in our conference centre adapting it to the modern conference and exhibition industry. The centre underpins thousands of jobs across the district and brings in an estimated £29m to the local economy.”
David Crosthwaite, Labour
The Labour candidate for Knaresborough West will be David Crosthwaite.
Mr Crosthwaite has lived in Knaresborough for nearly 50 years and is a teacher.
He began his career at King James’ School and was later deputy headteacher at Selby High School, where he worked for 20 years.
Mr Crosthwaite added:
“For the last twelve years I have been Chairman of The Knaresborough Players, which is the registered charity that owns and operates Knaresborough’s Frazer Theatre as a not- for- profit community enterprise run entirely by unpaid volunteers.
“If elected, I would support the values of a caring community.”
Matt Walker, Liberal Democrat
Matt Walker will be standing for the Liberal Democrats at the May 5 election.
Born and raised in Knaresborough, Mr Walker currently works for NHSX which created the NHS app and used to manage Harrogate accident and emergency department.
He said the NHS and social services need more investment and more needs to be done to “improve the quality of services delivered”.
Mr Walker said:
“As the number of houses in Knaresborough increases residents are concerned that the town infrastructure such as doctors dentists, school places are not developing to cope sufficiently with the towns increased population.
“I will work with local groups and the county council to improve the level of proactive planning for improved investment in the town.”
Read more:
- How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
No Conservatives standing for Ripon City Council elections this May
For the first time ever, no Conservative candidates will be seeking election to Ripon City Council on May 5.
The party is fielding candidates though in the election being held on the same day for the new North Yorkshire Council.
The apparent bloc decision means the Conservatives have disengaged from grassroots parish politics in the city with devolution less than a year away.
Who is standing in the Ripon City Council election?
While the ballot for Ripon’s two seats on the new unitary North Yorkshire authority will be hotly-contested, the election for the 12 city council seats is looking more clear cut.
In the Minster Ward, Independents Pauline McHardy, Chris Hardisty and Tony Duncan, are already elected, because no other candidates are standing against them.
With no Labour candidates standing either, the nine remaining city council seats in the Moorside, Spa and Ure Bank wards are up for grabs in a two-way fight between the Independents and Liberal Democrats.
In the Moorside Ward, current councillors Peter Horton and Andrew Williams, are standing for the Independents, along with Julia Martin-Long, while Tom Cavell-Taylor and Paul Dinning are standing for the Liberal Democrats.
The Spa Ward sees Barbara Brodigan and Bill Swaney, of the Liberal Democrats, against Independents Jackie Crozier, Stuart Flatley and Walter Woods, while Mayor Eamon Parkin and fellow independents Jo Bate and Sid Hawke are standing for re-election in the Ure Bank ward against Liberal Democrats Libby Clements and Helen Mason.
Disengagement from parish politics
The Conservatives’ disengagement from parish council politics, comes at a time when the demise of the Harrogate district, potentially puts greater emphasis on grassroots decision making and the running of services.
In the devolution melting pot are issues such as ownership and operation of assets including Ripon Town Hall, Hugh Ripley Hall, Market Square, Spa Gardens and Spa Park.
Former mayor John Richmond (pictured above) told the Stray Ferret there’s a need for the city to be represented from the grassroots upwards.
Mr Richmond emphasised how important it is people vote, saying:
“Irrespective of whose name people plan to put their X against on May 5, I urge them to use their vote, because the bigger the turnout means the greater the mandate that those selected to represent us will have, when it comes to fighting for what Ripon requires.”
The independent-controlled city council has, with the support of Conservatives, called for assets handed over to Harrogate at the last major local government reorganisation in 1974, to be returned to the city’s ownership from the soon to be defunct borough.
The Conservatives have also voted unanimously with the independents over the past two years to freeze the Ripon parish precept and there was also unanimity between the two groups in calling for Homes England to reduce the number of houses at the huge barracks development, amid concerns that the city’s road infrastructure could end up in perpetual gridlock.
The need for consensus at grassroots level
Although he is no longer involved in politics or aligned to any party, Mr Richmond remains passionate about the future of the city.
He advised:
“If ever there was a time for consensus and bi-partisan decision making at a very local level, that time is now.”
Mr Richmond, who was first elected in 1967, when he stood for the Conservatives, subsequently became an Independent and served as Mayor of Ripon in 1975-1976:
He pointed out
“The local government reorganisation in 1974 was a turbulent time, as we were going into totally unknown territory.
“The seat of power was no longer at Ripon Town Hall, but divided between the newly-created Harrogate District and North Yorkshire County Council.
“Against this backdrop of change and uncertainty, I soon learned how important it was to work alongside people of different political colours, when fighting for local issues.
“They, of course, were going to fight their corner for the people that voted them in and I was going to do the same for Ripon.”
Read more:
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- Ripon club offers a free introduction to croquet
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Election 2022: Knaresborough East 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 Knaresborough East division which will see three candidates standing for election.
Ed Darling, Conservative
Ed Darling will be standing as the Conservative candidate for Knaresborough East.
Mr Darling is currently the sitting councillor for Knaresborough Castle ward on Harrogate Borough Council, which he was elected to in 2018.
He lives in Knaresborough and is currently vice-chair of both the licensing and human resources committee on the borough council.
On why he is standing, Mr Darling said:
“I have been a borough councillor since 2018 and, like the Labour candidate, live in the ward I seek to represent. I successfully lobbied the borough council to purchase the run-down dilapidated shops on the High Street, secured nearly £70k of grants to refurbish the Appleby play area and ensured countless potholes and street signs are fixed and graffiti vandalism removed.
“I keep residents informed about local issues including planning applications through my regular free In Touch community newsletters and have a track record of action in our area and I hope to be able to continue those efforts as part of the new unitary authority.”
He added:
“My priorities for Knaresborough East – and the wider town – are better road surfaces with repairs that last, improving access to cash with cash machines and banking counter services and much more.”
Sharon Calvert, Labour
Sharon Calvert is the Labour candidate for the division on May 5.
A Knaresborough resident, Ms Calvert works as a carer and special needs teacher and has lived in the town for 38 years.
She is also the women’s officer at the constituency Labour Party and is executive member for Harrogate at the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers.
Ms Calvert said:
“I will be a voice for those who do not have one in NYCC and will use my negotiation skills to ensure that all decisions are challenged when necessary and that fairness is achieved for all residents in Knaresborough.
“I will push for sustainability and environmental awareness in all matters. ‘Think globally, act locally’.”
Hannah Gostlow, Liberal Democrat
Hannah Gostlow will be standing for the Liberal Democrats in the division for North Yorkshire Council.
Ms Gostlow lives in Knaresborough and is currently the councillor for Knaresborough Scriven Park on Harrogate Borough Council.
She is also a Knaresborough Town councillor and a board member for the Chain Lane Community Hub.
Ms Gostlow said among her priorities will be congestion, air quality and to improve the High Street.
She said:
“I believe it is important that Knaresborough has a strong voice in decisions that impact the town. I want to be elected to the new unitary authority to tackle the big issues facing our town such as; congestion and bad air quality, to improve our High Street.
“I already work hard with community groups to improve our public spaces and if elected I will work to integrate council services to address dog fouling, pavement parking, and speeding.”
Read more:
- Council chiefs promise ‘seamless transition’ to new North Yorkshire Council
- Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed
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.
Read More:
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.”