Bilton by-election candidate unveiled by Harrogate Labour Party

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The by-election for the Harrogate Bilton and Nidd Gorge division, which follows the sad death of Lib Dem councillor Geoff Webber, is being run on behalf of the county council by Harrogate Borough Council and will be held on May 6.

After being selected unanimously by the local Labour Party to be its candidate, Tyler Reeton 19, said: “I want to be a fresh voice for Harrogate and, as a young person, I am passionate about making Bilton the best place to live now, and also for many years to come.

“I have been pleased to support the efforts of friends in the local Labour Party and our community to protect our local environment, not least in the Nidd Valley. It’s important that we protect the green spaces that we are so lucky to have on our doorstep.

"I would be determined to work hard as a local councillor and stand up for our local area.”

Tyler, who is co-founder of a local community group, said he was well aware of the issues that local residents were worried about.

Mr Reeton said: "For a long time, I have been interested to hear what local people are most concerned about and as their councillor, I want to focus on the priorities local people are most concerned about.

"In particular, they have told me we need to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, including providing facilities for our young people.

"I would work in close partnership with Alison Hume, Labour’s candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Crime and Fire Commissioner.

"We need to improve transport links for our community and tackle speeding, by introducing traffic calming measure in roads like Bilton Lane."

The Labour Party candidate also paid tribute to the work of local NHS staff during the pandemic.

He said: "The COVID pandemic has also massively increased the need for mental health services, including for young people and veterans, and I want to work in partnership with our outstanding NHS, Labour’s proudest achievement, to ensure that these are properly funded. Thank you to all of our health and social care heroes who have done so much over the last year.”

Nomination papers for the Harrogate Bilton and Nidd Gorge by-election are available during normal office hours from the Deputy County Returning Officer at the Harrogate Civic Centre on St Luke's Avenue.

Completed nomination papers must be delivered by hand to the same address between 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday before April 8.

The Harrogate Advertiser will be reporting on all the other candidates and their platforms as and when they are announced.

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