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27
Apr 2023
'Undemocratic’ to ask Harrogate residents to pay for town council without stating its powers
A consultation about a potential Harrogate town council has been called “undemocratic” because it says residents would have to pay up to £60 a year extra without stating what powers it might have.
North Yorkshire Council is running a second consultation on whether a town council for Harrogate should be created.
Consultation documents say how much residents in band D properties are likely to pay through their council tax to cover services provided by the new town council.
North Yorkshire Council said the town council’s council tax precept would allow for an annual budget in the range of £1m to £1.6m.
Knaresborough and Ripon both currently have their own councils that charge a precept to provide services such as allotments, public events and small parks.
However, it is unclear at this stage what services a potential Harrogate town council would deliver.
There would be 19 councillors elected to the town council with elections taking place on May 2, 2024.
‘Unfair and undemocratic’
Speaking at a residents’ meeting last week, Michael Schofield, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Harlow and St Georges, criticised the consultation process and said people were not sure what they would be voting for if the town council was created.
He said:
His view is shared by the final mayor of the Harrogate borough, Victoria Oldham, who was the Conservative councillor for Washburn on Harrogate Borough Council until March 31.
Read more:
- Second consultation to be held on whether to form Harrogate town council
- Just 3.5% responded to Harrogate town council consultation
Ms Oldham is backing the creation of a town council but said people interested in becoming councillors should be getting around the table with North Yorkshire Council now to discuss what powers it might have.
She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:
In response, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for corporate services, Conservative Cllr David Chance, said:
Residents can take part in the consultation by visiting www.northyorks.gov.uk/CGR. Paper copies are available by calling 01609 536400 or emailing cgr@northyorks.gov.uk.
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