The leader of Ripon City Council has said he hopes devolution in April will end “almost half a century of under investment” in Ripon by leaders in Harrogate.
The new North Yorkshire Council unitary authority will come into effect on April 1, when Harrogate Borough Council will be abolished.
At the city council’s full meeting this month, members resolved unanimously to submit an expression of interest in taking over the running of key assets that have been under the control of Harrogate Borough Council since 1974.
The assets range from the town hall to public toilets and the list also includes Market Square (pictured below) the Wakeman’s House and Hugh Ripley Hall.
Independent City Council leader Andrew Williams, who was elected to North Yorkshire County Council in May, said:
“As part of the Harrogate district we have suffered from almost half a century of under investment that has held Ripon back, but I am convinced that we can emerge from the doldrums by having greater involvement in running assets and ensuring that their potential is fully realised.”
He added:
“You only need to look at Ripon Town Hall, which has been left largely empty under Harrogate’s control, when it could have been providing valuable space for businesses and earning money for the city.
“By contrast, the city council has successfully managed Hugh Ripley Hall under a long lease from Harrogate and following our investment in upgrading the building it has become a very well used and profitable facility.”
Hugh Ripley Hall has been operating profitably under the management of Ripon City Council.
The route to greater involvement in running Ripon’s assets lies in the the double devolution proposals announced earlier this year by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC).
NYCC has said:
“The new council will work with any town and parish council that wants to do more, for example, to deliver or commission services; providing they are able to demonstrate value for money and the ability to deliver.
“If these conditions are met then the new council will be open to funding the arrangements. The council would work with a first wave of forerunner town and parish councils to develop the concept.
“Other town and parish councils could then follow. Representatives from parish and town councils have worked with us to identify the types of service that could potentially be devolved from the new council if your local parish or town council would like to take them on.”
Ripon is aiming to be one of the forerunner councils to be selected to pilot the double devolution scheme.
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