Letter: Common sense to reinstate council

David Rhodes from Ripley thinks it is logical to follow the Minister’s chosen structure for the new devolved LEP.
David Rhodes from Ripley thinks it is logical to follow the Ministers chosen structure for the new devolved LEP.David Rhodes from Ripley thinks it is logical to follow the Ministers chosen structure for the new devolved LEP.
David Rhodes from Ripley thinks it is logical to follow the Ministers chosen structure for the new devolved LEP.

In responding to the Advertiser front page article ‘Fighting to get us a fair deal’ (July 16), it seems logical and common sense for the new unitary structure to follow the Minister’s chosen structure for the new devolved LEP, in essence, York and North Yorkshire Unitary Districts.

One suggestion to balance the numbers and geographical layout, Selby might merge with York. This means that the new North Yorkshire Unitary Council (NYUC) would be the logical merger of Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Richmondshire, Ryedale and Scarborough.

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Clearly it will then seem common sense for the town of Harrogate after 46 years to reinstate an actual Harrogate Town Council (HTC) to have parity with Knaresborough, Malton, Masham, Northallerton, Richmond, Ripon, Scarborough, Skipton etc.

Finally, hearing that the developer aims to restore the old Harrogate Council Offices into state of the art office studios and make the fine historic Council Chamber, Mayor’s Parlour and Civic Entrance/Staircase available for all the tenants to use, it seems logical for a reinstated Harrogate Town Council and Mayor to lease an office studio for staff, and use the restored Council Chamber for public meetings.

This will once again bring Harrogate Town parity with Knaresborough Town Council in Knaresborough House, and Ripon City Council in its historic Town Hall.

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