Harrogate council leader Richard Cooper issues statement after stepping down from BID board

The leader of Harrogate Borough Council has issued a statement after resigning from Harrogate BID (Business Improvement District).
Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper.Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper.
Harrogate Borough Council leader Richard Cooper.

Coun Richard Cooper stepped down as a board member in June and was replaced by the council's director of economy and culture, Trevor Watson.

Coun Cooper said in a statement: "The BID Board changed substantially in December of last year and I was engaged closely in working up the new plan for the BID alongside other board members.

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"That plan was unanimously adopted by the board and the BID is now entering the phase of putting the plan into action. It seemed appropriate therefore to move aside so that one of the council's officers responsible for economic development can help implement actions in the plan."

Coun Cooper's resignation comes after the BID board was thrown into turmoil when four members decided to quit suddenly earlier this year.

This was only a few months after its manager also quit.

The BID board says its work to support businesses through the pandemic is now carrying on as normal.

Harrogate Theatre faces major job cuts and closure until 2021

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Acting chair Sara Ferguson said: “On behalf of Harrogate BID, its board and members, I would like to thank Richard for his valuable contribution.

“Richard’s place on the BID board has been filled by Trevor Watson from Harrogate Borough Council’s economic development team, who has already attended a number of Board meetings.

“Additionally, we have also co-opted two additional advisors, Lesley Wild, the former Chair of Bettys and Taylors Tea, and Jim Mossman, co-owner of Cold Bath Brewing Company.”

Harrogate BID is funded by a rates levy on businesses in the town centre, having been set up in 2018.

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Coun Cooper added: "I strongly support the BID and I am still regularly in contact with members of the BID Board including the exceptional acting chair, Sara Ferguson of Caffe Marconi.

"I think the additional street cleaning they have undertaken is fantastic and the packs they got out to businesses to support re-opening were brilliant and very welcome.

"Harrogate Borough Council is by far and way the largest financial contributor to the BID. Our interests - like that of every business operating in the town centre - lie in it being a success.

"The foundations are strong, the plan is good, the team is outstanding.

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"Although I left the board, the council is fully engaged through our membership of the board and I am still working with the board on implementing several projects going forward."

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter