Harrogate’s new Town Council aims for budget expansion as it seeks to become 'voice of the town'

Since it was launched less than a year ago after the abolition of Harrogate Borough Council as part of a radical shake-up of local government in North Yorkshire, councillors on this new parish council have made clear their ambition to become a body with a meaningful role.

The full council meeting on Tuesday, January 7 will see the members of Harrogate Town Council asked to approve a budget and set a precept requirement for the 2026/27 period.

Like all parish councils across England, Harrogate Town Council is primarily funded by setting an annual council tax precept, a small portion of residents' council tax bills, collected by North Yorkshire Council and then passed to the town council.

In the first months after the first elections for the new town council took place in May 2025, the 2025/26 precept for Harrogate Town Council was £362,000, a tiny sum compared to the majority of parish councils.

This resulted in a ‘Band D’ equivalent for each council tax payer of of £12.73 per year to pay for the new body’s running costs and to enable it to actually do something.

Next week’s meeting will see councillors presented with a draft budget for their consideration which gives an indicative precept requirement of £740,567, almost double that of its debut year.

Before any sense of panic sets in among council tax payers, it should be pointed out that, should the proposal for 2026/27 be approved, it will result in a band D charge equivalent to £26 per year.

Compared to other parish councils’ precept rates both locally and nationally for the 2025/26 period this would leave Harrogate residents paying one of the lowest precepts in the county.

North Yorkshire budgets and precepts 2025/26

Northallerton Town Council: Ripon City Council: Annual budget £468,500, precept £129.01 per person per year.

Ripon City Council: Annual budget £483,200, precept £79.70 per person per year.

Knaresborough Town Council: Annual budget £237,867, precept £36.99 per person per year.

Harrogate Town Council: Annual budget £362,000, precept £12.73 per person per year.

Since the new bigger and more powerful unitary authority of North Yorkshire Council was established in April 2023, concern has grown that Harrogate's voice may be lost amid the new political arrangements for England's largest county run from Northallerton.

In response, Harrogate Town Council undertook a strategic planning exercise leading to the adoption of its Vision & Values document and a short, medium and long-term action plan.

As well as promoting and supporting Harrogate’s interests and delivering high-quality services, its other key priority is acting in the best interests of the public who fund it.

The mission statement in Harrogate Town Council’s Vision & Values document says the following: “We act with honesty and transparency, welcoming scrutiny to evaluate our actions.

"We use public funds wisely and transparently for long-term community benefit.”

Harrogate residents, businesses and community groups will get the chance to learn more about the aims of Harrogate Town Council at a Vision & Values launch event shortly.

The event will take place in Mercer Gallery on Thursday, January 15 from 6pm-8pm.

More information at: https://harrogatetowncouncil.gov.uk/