Patients in the Harrogate district are feeling the “catastrophic impact” of the dental crisis on their overall health, according to a new report.

Healthwatch North Yorkshire, the NHS body representing patients, is demanding a task force be set up to address the crisis in the county’s oral health due to a lack of NHS dentists.

The report outlines the impact of not being able to access an NHS dentist on the lives of more than 80 residents in the county, including Harrogate.

‘Urgent reform’

The watchdog said the issue needed “urgent reform”.

Read more:

• Investigation: ‘Shocking’ waits for NHS dentists in Harrogate district
• Watchdog report: Just one NHS dentist per 10,000 people in Harrogate district

A Harrogate case study detailed how one patient suffering gum pain called 10 dentists, both private and NHS, and offered to pay privately, but was told none were taking either NHS or private patients.

They said:

“I called 111 and was told to go and see my dentist, I explained I didn’t have a dentist and was told it was difficult at the moment.

“The pain was worsening so I ended up taking paracetamol, codeine and ibuprofen, spaced out at regular intervals. I again called 111, and only when I said I was now taking three types of painkiller did they take notice.

“They said a dentist would call me at around 7.30am next morning, so be up and ready to go. No phone call until 1.30pm telling me to go to a practice in Harrogate the next morning. I went and was seen for a couple of minutes, confirming that I had a gum infection. The dentist prescribed antibiotics, which did clear up the infection.

“My complaint is that dentists are not bound to give a person in pain help. I have heard this complaint from quite a few friends now, surely they should be duty bound to see emergency cases.”

The recommendations outlined in the report include:

• • Establishing a dental task force for North Yorkshire that tackles the underlying issues identified in this and previous reports.
• • Adopting a collaborative approach to addressing the dental crisis across the Humber and North Yorkshire region to ensure the commissioning of services meets the needs of the wider population.

Nationally, Healthwatch England has led calls for a radical rethink of NHS dentistry and it will be announcing its next steps over the coming weeks.

The government said it was increasing investment in services to improve access.

Acute problem of NHS dentists

Last year, the Stray Ferret revealed that just two Harrogate district NHS dentists were accepting patients but both had a waiting list of at least two-and-a-half years.

The investigation revealed how acute the problem of dental care is for people on low incomes in the district, with one councillor describing the situation as “shocking”.

Meanwhile, a review of NHS dentistry published in August 2021 found that found there was just one NHS dentist practice per 10,000 people in the district.

Healthwatch North Yorkshire is calling for people to share their views and experiences of health and social care, by visiting our website, calling 01423 788128 or emailing admin@hwny.co.uk.

Eight local businesses completed a sleepout with CEO Sleepout UK to raise awareness of hidden homelessness in the district. 

The group of business leaders spent the night sleeping outdoors at Harrogate Rugby Club, and have raised almost £15,000 for CEO Sleepout UK, Ripon YMCA, Harrogate District Foodbank and Harrogate RUFC. 

The North Yorkshire based companies that took part were Nicholls Tyreman Estate Agents, Hudgell Solicitors, Ripon YMCA, Pavilions of Harrogate, Jorvik Design Group, Stratstone BMW, Carson Homes and Harrogate Borough Council.   

The participants included CEO of Hudgell Solicitors Rachel Di Clemente, Nicholls Tyreman director James Tyreman, and director of Jorvik Design Group Ady Rhodes.

The business leaders at Harrogate’s sleepout

Chief executive of CEO Sleepout Bianca Robinson said:  

“I was thrilled to see some of North Yorkshire’s biggest-hearted business people turn out for this event. Just because Harrogate is not a place where you might see many rough sleepers, it doesn’t mean homelessness doesn’t exist.  

“Hidden homelessness is increasing across North Yorkshire – families who can no longer afford private rental, young people, and single mothers living in insecure temporary accommodation.” 

She added:  

“It was a tough night and surprisingly cold, but by bringing those with lived experience to share their stories, and hearing about the vital work of charities on the frontline, we unlock understanding, compassion and inspire our business leaders to use their power to create greater social value.” 

CEO Sleepout stages fundraising events across the UK, and has raised £3 million for more than 100 charities.  

Student from Knaresborough achieves unprecedented full marks in hairdressing exam 

A hairdressing student from Knaresborough has achieved full marks in her practical exam.  

Penny Ledgeway, who is 20, completed her level two exam at Intuitions hairdressing college in Harrogate, with a perfect score of 700 marks.   

During the exam, she was asked to do a number of hairdressing treatments, including half a head of highlights, a restyle and cut, and a curly blow dry. 

When asked why she chose to pursue hairdressing, Ms Ledgeway said:  

“I’ve always wanted to do it really, I like to do a bit of everything but I am quite social anyway.

“I wouldn’t be able to just sit at a computer all day.”

Michelle Oliver, director of Intuitions college, said it was “unusual” for someone to get full marks in the exam, adding:

“Both me and her educator are really proud, she’s worked really hard.

“It’s good for us at Intuitions, but also for the employer to have someone with that skillset from the apprenticeship programme”.

After completing her level two exams, Ms Ledgeway is now a fully qualified hairdresser, and currently works at Kelly Teggin Hair & Beauty in Knaresborough.

She is now hoping to move on to a further stage of qualifications, which she said are more advanced and creative.  

Read more: 

• Harrogate clothing firm partners with cafe to help the homeless
• Ripon hairdresser appeals for rollers for unusual Christmas tree

A environmental campaign group has written to every new county councillor in Harrogate urging them to put the climate crisis at the top of their agendas.

Zero Carbon Harrogate said it wanted to work with the district’s 21 new members of the new North Yorkshire Council on issues including transport and housing to ensure Harrogate becomes “climate ready and resilient”.

It comes after the campaign group helped produce an online showcase of candidates’ views on climate change ahead of the May 5 elections.

Zero Carbon Harrogate’s chair Jemima Parker said:

“We have a strong track record of working collaboratively with councillors from across the political spectrum and hope we will be able to do so in the future.

“We were encouraged that the pre-election survey responses show that all the parties have proactive climate policies, with the differences between them being in the speed and scale of their ambition to move to a low carbon economy.

“Local residents and businesses will see the greatest benefits the faster we can transition away from fossil fuels, as the current energy crisis is demonstrating.”

During the survey, aspiring councillors were quizzed on issues including how the new council should tackle the three biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions – transport, agriculture and domestic energy.

The responses are still available online at nyclimatecoalition.org.

Read more:

• Homes England submits 480-home Otley Road plan
• Wheelie bin trial to start in Harrogate district this month

As well as areas such as transport and recycling, responsibilities for the new councillors will also include decisions over the extent to which Harrogate’s greenfield sites should be developed for housing – an issue which has generated significant controversy in recent years.

Ms Parker said a first step towards tackling issues like this would be for the new councillors to be trained in carbon literacy in order to raise their awareness of the urgency of climate change.

“Transport is the key area under the current North Yorkshire County Council’s control and developing an integrated low carbon transport plan would be a big step forward.

“From next year, the new North Yorkshire Council will have oversight for planning applications.

“Ensuring best practice for all new developments and refurbishments to reduce energy loss and generate renewable energy will be vital for future homeowners and for lowering energy costs to benefit the local economy.

“There is also an urgent need for our existing homes across the county to be refurbished – or retrofitted – to save energy and reduce people’s energy bills, this work needs to be supported and funded.”

Female councillors have called for action to improve the representation of women in North Yorkshire local government.

Just 24 out of the 90 councillors elected on May 5 to serve on North Yorkshire County Council for a year and four years on its unitary council successor are women. This equates to just under 27%.

The proportion roughly reflects the 26% of female councillors previously elected to North Yorkshire County Council and the 29% of female candidates standing in the election.

All the main political parties fielded significantly fewer women candidates than men, a situation which was also replicated by the Independent candidates as a group.

Ahead of the polls, equality campaigners said the imbalance would make it “nigh-on impossible” for those elected to reflect the population they serve — unlike neighbouring local authorities such as Leeds, Durham and East Riding, where respectively more than 50%, 38% and 36% of councillors are women.

However, other largely rural county councils such as Devon, Norfolk and Cumbria all have fewer than 30% female councillors.

When asked why the proportion of women elected in North Yorkshire last week was low, numerous female councillors said they were at a loss to explain it and would welcome a council scrutiny committee investigation into the reasons.

Responding to the election results, Scarborough councillor Liz Colling, a Labour member, said:

“I always think action should be taken to encourage women to speak up to feel empowered to act as voices for their community.”

Cllr Janet Sanderson, who was the sole woman serving on the council’s 10-member decision-making executive before the election, said it was important to select candidates on merit rather than gender.

Read more:

• Conservative councillor Victoria Oldham nominated as final Harrogate mayor
• Sid Hawke to be Ripon’s next mayor

The Thornton Dale Conservative member said to encourage more women to put themselves forward in future, it was crucial to get the conditions right for women to serve as she had faced aggression from people making complaints.

Cllr Sanderson said:

“As a woman I would feel terribly aggrieved if I thought I had been put on a shortlist because I was a woman.

“The whole environment needs to change. It’s a very male-dominated arena and a lot of women would need a lot of confidence before they put themselves up for that, which is a great shame.”

Upper Dales councillor Yvonne Peacock said in her 23 years as a Tory councillor she had never encountered issues as a woman, and that meetings had even been rearranged to ensure she could carry out a school run minibus service.

Calls for ‘better balanced’ executive

Experienced councillors Caroline Goodrick, who secured the Sheriff Hutton seat as an Independent by just seven votes, and Janet Jefferson, who were both handed leading committee roles by the last administration, said they hoped the new executive would have a better balance.

Cllr Goodrick said:

“I’m a great believer that it should be more representative of the spread of the electorate and I’m not sure the result achieved that, but I’m also a believer in democracy and the electorate get what they vote for.”

Scarborough Independent councillor Jefferson said she had never encountered any gender bias at County Hall.

She added:

“I would welcome an inquiry as I would like to know the reason why we get more predominance of men than women because I would have thought it was an even playing field.”

The Liberal Democrats whooped with joy; the Conservative slunk quietly out the door.

To anyone at last week’s election count in Harrogate, it seemed like the Lib Dems had swept to power.

The result appeared to reinforce this, with 10 Lib Dems elected in the Harrogate district compared with nine Tories, one Green and one Independent.

The Lib Dems celebrate at the count.

But at a council meeting on Wednesday, Conservative Carl Les is set to be named leader of the Conservative-controlled North Yorkshire County Council.

Across the county as a whole, the Conservatives won 47 of the 90 seats, meaning they have a majority of three and — by-elections and defections permitting — will hold power for the remaining year of the county council’s life and for the following first four years of North Yorkshire Council’s existence.

But things are not quite that simple.

The Lib Dems took control of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee, which is one of six area committees on North Yorkshire County Council that scrutinise the impact of policy decisions on local areas.

There is also the prospect of the Lib Dems repeating their success in elections for a new Harrogate town council if, as expected, one is formed to replace Harrogate Borough Council, which will be swallowed up in 10 months by North Yorkshire Council.

Lib Dems ‘will be able to influence things more’

David Goode, who was the sole Lib Dem on the area constituency committee before the election, said his goal had been to secure seven councillors in Harrogate and Knaresborough to assume control of the 13-person committee. Eight were elected.

David Goode

Matt Walker, who won the Knaresborough West division, said:

“We had a plan and we exceeded that. We planned to take control of the area committee so we can get some proper representation in the district. It means we will be able to influence things more.”

Area constituency committees, however, currently have few powers and are often described as little more than talking shops.

Read more:

• Why election victory means so much for Harrogate and Knaresborough’s Lib Dems
• Labour admits ‘challenging’ elections in Harrogate district

But their powers could be beefed-up under North Yorkshire Council.

Double devolution

Cllr Les pledged to pursue a policy of “double devolution” in the run-up to the elections by handing down some powers, including to the area committees.

Carl Les

Speaking after the vote, he said:

“We are still committed to double devolution. I think it would be dishonest of us to renege on that principle.

“We will continue to work on delivering it.”

But what powers will the new area committees have?

Pat Marsh, the Lib Dem leader on Harrogate Borough Council, said she believed they could include key issues such as planning and highways, and include some funding. She asked:

“if the area committees don’t have power over planning, how will the new council be able to manage the volume of planning applications across the county?”

Conservative Graham Swift, perhaps the highest profile scalp taken by the Lib Dems at the election, used his speech after his result was announced to remind everyone the Conservatives had secured an overall majority — and still held the levers to power.

Graham Swift’s speech at the count.

Paul Haslam, whose large majority in Bilton and Nidd Gorge was one of the few local Conservative highlights, told the Stray Ferret

“It’s about consensus and working with people. I’m quite relaxed about it. The Lib Dems are passionate about our local area, just as much as myself and my fellow Conservatives. I’m willing to work with anyone.”

Harrogate town council

Harrogate and Scarborough are currently the only towns in North Yorkshire without town councils, and their loss of district councils seems likely to precipitate the creation of them.

But town councils usually have no greater powers than parish councils. If North Yorkshire Council ends up making key decisions on Harrogate Convention Centre and the Stray, people in Harrogate could end up railing against policymakers in Northallerton just as many people in Ripon do now about policymakers in Harrogate.

Richard Cooper, the leader of Harrogate Borough Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the Conservatives’ poor showing in the Harrogate district was largely down to voters sending a message to Prime Minister Boris Johnson rather than local issues.

Zombie council

But with Cllr Cooper not seeking re-election, last week’s result marked a sea change in the local Conservative landscape.

His departure and the defeats of key allies such as Graham Swift, Matt Scott, Phil Ireland and Tim Myatt mean there will be a changing of the old guard that has dominated for so long.

Harrogate Borough Council

With abolition looming in 10 months time, Harrogate Borough Council faces the prospect of becoming a zombie council with power ebbing away by the day.

But the new landscape — and to what extent the opposition Lib Dems will be influencing it — remains to be seen.

Harrogate district election results

Bilton and Nidd Gorge

Paul Haslam, Conservatives – WON with 1,017 votes
Andrew Kempston-Parkes, Liberal Democrats – 663
Deborah Havercroft, Labour Party – 285

Bilton Grange and New Park

Monika Slater, Liberal Democrats – WON with 968 votes
Matthew Scott, Conservatives – 677
Andrew Zigmond, Labour Party – 159
Tamsin Worrall, Green Party – 123

Boroughbridge and Claro

Robert Windass, Conservatives – WON with 936 votes
Jon Starkey, Independent – 486
Andy Bell, Liberal Democrats – 433
Clark Pearson, Green Party – 169
Noel Evans, Independent – 96

Coppice Valley and Duchy

Peter Lacey, Liberal Democrats – WON with 940 votes
Graham Swift, Conservatives – 739
Daniel Thompson, Independent – 199
Patricia Foxall, Labour Party – 126
Leighton Regayre, Green Party – 84

Fairfax and Starbeck

Philip Broadbank, Liberal Democrats – WON with 921 votes
Sue Lumby, Conservatives – 442
Christopher Watt, Labour Party – 337
Gordon Schallmo, Green Party – 103

Harlow and St Georges

Mike Schofield, Liberal Democrats – WON with 1,245 votes
Steven Jackson, Conservatives – 805
Sarah Hart, Independent – 345
John Adams, Labour Party – 169
Andrew Rickard, Green Party – 149

High Harrogate and Kingsley

Chris Aldred, Liberal Democrats – WON with 1,019 votes
Tim Myatt, Conservatives – 760
Geoffrey Foxall, Labour Party – 263

Killinghall, Hampsthwaite and Saltergate

Michael Harrison, Conservatives – WON with 1,016 votes
David Goode, Liberal Democrats – 465
Edward Clayson, Labour Party – 251
Bill Rigby, Green Party – 124

Knaresborough East

Hannah Gostlow, Liberal Democrats – WON with 1,169 votes
Ed Darling, Conservatives – 767
Sharon-Theresa Calvert, Labour Party – 276

Knaresborough West

Matt Walker, Liberal Democrats – WON with 1,316 votes
Phil Ireland, Conservatives – 988
David Tom Crosthwaite, Labour Party – 328

Masham and Fountains

Margaret Atkinson, Conservatives – WON with 1,076 votes
Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Independent – 738
Judith Hooper, Liberal Democrats – 620

Oatlands and Pannal

John Mann, Conservatives – WON with 1,175 votes
Justin Chan, Liberal Democrats – 820
Gillian Charters, Green Party – 266
Margaret Smith, Labour Party – 250

Ouseburn

Arnold Warneken, Green Party – WON with 1,328 votes
Richard Musgrave, Conservatives – 586

Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale

Andrew Murday, Liberal Democrats – WON with 1,002 votes
Stanley Lumley, Conservatives – 807
Alison Harris, Yorkshire Party – 65

Ripon Minster and Moorside

Andrew Williams, Independent – WON with 1,453 votes
Tom Cavell-Taylor, Liberal Democrats – 334
Thomas James Averre, Conservatives – 312

Ripon Ure Bank and Spa

Barbara Brodigan, Liberal Democrats – WON with 985 votes
Sid Hawke, Independent – 734
Mike Chambers, Conservatives – 556
Robin Burgess, Green Party – 151

Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale and Tockwith

Andy Paraskos, Conservatives – WON with 929 votes
Alexandra Marsh, Green Party – 630
John Hall, Yorkshire Party – 158

Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone

Pat Marsh, Liberal Democrats – WON with 1,350 votes
John Ennis, Conservatives – 910
Helen Burke, Labour Party – 189
Anna McIntee, Independent – 167

Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate

Sam Gibbs, Conservatives – WON with 871 votes
David Johnson, Liberal Democrats – 545
Andrew Williamson, Labour Party – 275
Lucy Jayne Gardiner, Independent – 331
Paul Ferrigno, Green Party – 162

Washburn and Birstwith

Nathan Hull, Conservatives – WON with 891 votes
Tom Watson, Liberal Democrats – 713
Paul Trewhitt, Green Party – 201
Ian Galloway, Independent – 162

Wathvale and Bishop Monkton

Nick Brown, Conservatives – WON with 1,334 votes
Chris Knight, Liberal Democrats – 559
Hannah Katherine Corlett, Green Party – 455

Harrogate’s Labour Party has admitted last week’s local elections were “challenging” after failing to elect any councillors in the district.

Labour failed to finish better than third in any divisions in the Harrogate district.

Chris Watt, acting chair of the local party and candidate for Fairfax and Starbeck, said the party was still proud of its “positive campaign” despite the results for the new North Yorkshire Council.

He said: 

“Our message of positive change has resonated, with many saying they were voting Labour for the first time and others strengthening their support for their local Labour candidate.

“Whilst we were disappointed not to make any gains, people clearly decided to kick the Tories by voting Liberal Democrat.”

There was success for Labour elsewhere in North Yorkshire as the party trebled the number of councillors it has serving the county.

Overall, the Conservatives narrowly maintained their control of North Yorkshire by electing just one more than the minimum number of councillors required for a majority.

Read more:

• North Yorkshire could get directly elected mayor by 2024
• New councillors urged to back creation of North Yorkshire Mayor

The Tories won 47 seats, while Labour and the Liberal Democrats took 12 each as five Green councillors were also elected.

Thirteen independents were also voted in, as well as one Liberal Party councillor.

Mr Watt added: 

“We are delighted that Labour made gains across the new North Yorkshire Council.

“We meet regularly with North Yorkshire’s Labour councillors and will ensure that the important voice of Harrogate and Knaresborough is not ignored.”

Meanwhile, the Yorkshire Party had five candidates – including two in Harrogate – but did not see success in the May 5 vote.

The party’s leader Bob Buxton said: 

“John Hall’s result in Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale and Tockwith was encouraging, so that’s clearly an area in which to build the party.

“It seems likely that there will be a North Yorkshire mayor next year. While the Yorkshire Party views mayors as largely powerless and budget-less, it is slightly better than no devolution at all.

“We finished third in both the South Yorkshire mayor election this year and West Yorkshire mayor election last year – people like our ideas on devolution and our demand for real powers and fair funding.

“In the meantime, there’s a parliamentary by-election in Wakefield, an area where we’re strong, giving us another opportunity to grow the Yorkshire Party.”

A devolution deal for North Yorkshire that includes a directly elected mayor could be reached by summer, according to the leader of the county council.

County council officials have met with senior civil servants after the government included a deal for the county as part of its levelling up white paper in February.

Cllr Carl Les, Conservative leader of North Yorkshire County Council, and Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat leader of City of York Council, have also met with ministers to discuss devolution in North Yorkshire and York.

Council officials submitted a list of requests for devolved powers to government in December 2020 but negotiations were delayed by covid and the publication of the levelling up white paper.

In a statement to a full council meeting next week, Cllr Les will say that it is possible a deal could be reached by the parliamentary summer recess in July.

He says:

“What is clear is that all asks will need to be negotiated with vigour – the principle of devolution has been agreed, there is no automatic right of passage.

“Myself and the leader of City of York Council have had a first meeting with the responsible minister where he observed that we were first in the queue and he hoped we would maintain that position.

“There is a possibility that a deal can be done before the parliamentary summer recess.”

Read more:

• North Yorkshire could get directly elected mayor by 2024
• 5 lessons to learn from devolution in Tees Valley

Ministers made it a requirement that a unitary council for North Yorkshire be established before any negotiations about a devolution deal could proceed. Last week’s elections for the new North Yorkshire Council brought that to fruition.

In December 2020, council bosses submitted to government a 140-page document which outlined £2.4 billion worth of spending and proposals to take back further powers from Westminster.

More powers over transport, skills, regeneration and energy were included in the submission, as well as a mayoral funding pot worth £750 million over 25 years.

Richard Flinton, chief executive of the county council, said previously that the timetable for devolution negotiations could see an elected mayor in place by May 2024.

The mayor could have powers over areas such as transport and economic development. They could also take on the role as police and crime commissioner.

The negotiations come as the Conservatives retained control on the county council following the local elections last week, but with a smaller majority.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Cllr Les said he was willing to work with any party over the issue of devolution and local government reorganisation.

He said:

“It has always been my policy in the county council to reach out to other groups and to talk with them.

“I will continue to do that.”

There have been fresh calls to create a mayor for North Yorkshire following the election of new councillors last week.

Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, has written to each of the county’s 91 newly elected councillors urging them to back a devolution deal that includes the creation of a metro mayor.

Mr Murison, who went to school in Boroughbridge and Harrogate, said the move could unlock “a huge amount” of funding for the county, with the mayor responsible for allocating much of it.

He or she would assume control over areas such as transport and economic development for the whole of North Yorkshire. The mayoral office could also swallow up the role of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Murison’s letter, which has been shared with the Stray Ferret, said:

“The maximum powers and funding are only available for a devolution deal with a directly elected mayor. As the Tees Valley has proven, a large urban metropolitan area is not a prerequisite and the mayoral model can prove hugely successful in areas where the economic geography is dominated by towns.

“Locally-led economic growth strategies to raise productivity in areas such as these are vital. The North of Tyne Combined Authority shares much of its geography with the Borderlands Growth Deal, which included Carlisle, parts of Scotland and rural Northumberland – and these places are already reaping the benefits.”

Read more:

• Conservative leader says ‘send Boris a message theme was clear’ in local elections
• Harrogate district village wins eight-year battle for more planning control

The government’s Levelling Up White Paper was published in February and cited the creation of strong, local mayors as a key part of its levelling up agenda.

It said the government would open up negotiations over a devolution deal, including a mayor, with leaders at North Yorkshire County Council and City of York Council. However, a deal is yet to be signed off.

York council is run by the Liberal Democrats whereas NYCC is controlled by the Conservatives.

“Metro mayors are needed”

Labour’s Andy Burnham in Greater Manchester is often cited as an example of a mayor who has used his platform to win more funding from government and put a spotlight on the region.

Conservatives mayor for Tees Valley, Ben Houchen, has also built a strong reputation for making the most of his region’s devolution deal.

But others, like Bristol’s Labour mayor Marvin Rees, have been divisive. Bristol residents voted last week in a referendum to scrap the position from 2024.

Mr Murison added:

“Devolution is flourishing in some places (South Yorkshire has just elected its second Metro Mayor) while stalling in others. It is not right that Cumbria or North Yorkshire should miss out on empowered local leadership – nor the government funding which goes hand in hand with it.

“Metro mayors are needed for cities, towns, and rural areas alike if we are serious about building a truly productive, prosperous Northern Powerhouse.”

North Yorkshire’s Conservative councillors will gather today for their annual general meeting with discussions on who will lead the new authority on the agenda.

After losses across the county, the Conservatives now hold 47 out of 90 seats on the new unitary authority, North Yorkshire Council.

Despite having overall control, the Conservatives have a greatly reduced majority. Whoever leads the new authority will face the challenge of dealing with a larger group of opposing parties.

Cllr Carl Les, the current leader of North Yorkshire County Council, has confirmed he intends to stand as leader once again but his position is by no means certain.

There’s also deputy leader, group secretary and whip roles to be filled.

Councillors have had to put themselves forward ahead of the meeting and it will be down to those at today’s AGM to vote them in.

Read more:

• Parties react as Tories maintain narrow majority in North Yorkshire
• What cost the Tories votes in the Harrogate district?

Talking about Friday’s results, Cllr Carl Les said:

“It has been a sizeable event for us in terms of seats, we’ve gone from 55 out of 72 to 47 out of 90. The council will look very different.

“Whenever you have an election, people often bring up national matters and this time there were a lot of matters on a national level such as Partygate.

“I wish people were more concerned about looking at what we do locally rather than on national issues.”

He said moving forward the main aim would be to work collaboratively with new councillors to ensure a “smooth transition” as devolution gets underway.

“We have to work together as a group, it’s vitally important. Whatever party you are there’s always difference between us but there’s an awful lot that binds us together.

One of the main things is ensuring a smooth transition from eight divisions to one. When it comes to things like bin collection local people shouldn’t feel a difference.”

The Conservatives have narrowly maintained their control over local government in North Yorkshire as voters across England’s largest county backed a spectrum of other political parties.

By securing 47 seats of the 90 on the new unitary authority, North Yorkshire Council, the Conservatives have just one more than the minimum number of councillors required for a majority, losing more than 20 per cent of their share of the vote to that at the last election for North Yorkshire County Council five years ago.

Although not directly comparable, in 2017 the Tories won 76 per cent of the seats, with the Independents getting 14 per cent, Labour six per cent and the Liberal Democrats just four per cent.

The election for the unitary authority saw Independent candidates secure 13 seats, Labour and the Liberal Democrats 12 each and the Green Party will be represented at the top tier of local government in the county for the first time with some five seats.

Gareth Dadd, deputy leader of the Conservative group, said he felt the result reflected “a usual mid-term reaction” to a government.

He said:

“I’m delighted that we have secured an overall majority, but above anything else we can move forward with certainty and deliver the savings and, hopefully, devolution, that the sub-region deserves.”

Read more:

• ELECTION: Full coverage of today’s Harrogate district vote
• Lib Dems victorious in Harrogate district

Stuart Parsons, leader of the Independent group on the county council, said he looked forward to working with all members of the new council, adding:

“At least we are no longer in a one-party state.”

Labour ‘over the moon’

Labour group leader Eric Broadbent said:

“We’re over the moon, we’ve trebled our number of councillors on the county. We’re going to have a lot more influence and give our residents a lot more say in what’s happening in their communities.”

Bryn Griffiths, the Liberal Democrat group leader, said:

“I think the electorate have seen the error of the Tories. It gives us a great opportunity to challenge them at the county council and get support for people who need support, such as those living off food banks and those on free school meals during the school holidays.”

Kevin Foster, who has become one of the new Green councillors after winning Hipswell and Colburn by just eight votes, said:

“It was the most uncomfortable day of my life! It gives us a greater chance to have our voice heard and we now have to be considered as we work to make a cleaner, greener, fairer place.”

Elected councillors will serve one year as county councillors for the existing North Yorkshire County Council and another four years as councillors for the new unitary authority.

Some 183,564 of the 478,539 electorate voted, representing a 38.4 per cent turn-out.