Harrogate Lib Dems 'angry and frustrated' as devolution plans gather pace - and their fears over North Yorkshire super council

Leaders at North Yorkshire County Council are pushing ahead with plans for a so-called super authority to run almost all council services within the county’s boundaries, in a move which they say will save tax-payers £25m a year.

However, it will mean the abolishment of seven district councils - including Harrogate - which has sparked concerns that decision making powers on local issues will be lost.

Judith Rogerson, the Liberal Democrat's former parliamentary candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said while she was in favour of the benefits that devolution would bring, she failed to see how a new unitary authority overseen by a regional mayor would keep local government local.

"The strength of local voices will inevitably be diluted if we are swallowed up into a huge new unitary authority which covers a very wide geographical area made up of many very different communities", she said.

"That simply isn't in the best interests of the residents of the Harrogate district."

Harrogate council slams 'nightmare vision' of North Yorkshire super council

Leaders at the county council have tried to reassure district councils such as Harrogate that local interests will not be lost under a devolution deal.

They say it is likely that new town councils would be introduced, with the possibility of some powers over services including litter picking, toilets and the Stray.

The county council's devolution plans would see the existing City of York Council sit alongside a new North Yorkshire authority.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Borough Council is in talks with the six other district councils over plans for two different authorities each based on a population of 400,000.

Judith Rogerson said it is "essential" that a devolution deal must mean decisions on local issues are taken locally and made calls for the creation of a Harrogate town council.

She said: "Sadly it appears that the Government is determined to press on with this very rapid restructuring of local government. If Harrogate Borough Council is to become part of a larger North Yorkshire unitary authority, it is essential that important local decisions can still be decided by those elected in our immediate area.

"So I'd like to see a Harrogate town council to be established alongside the existing town councils in our area so that the local community can keep control of management of important local assets like the Stray or Valley Gardens."

Future of Harrogate's NHS Nightingale Hospital still unclear as contract extended for two weeks while talks continue

Coun Pat Marsh, the leader of the Liberal Democrats on Harrogate Borough Council, also raised concerns over how quickly talks are progressing on what will be the biggest shake-up in local government for 40 years.

"I feel angry and frustrated that devolution is being imposed on us with such speed with no reference to the people whose lives will be impacted by it", she said.

"A once in a lifetime reorganisation on how we are governed locally is being done by a few and being imposed on 600,000 plus people."

Coun Marsh also made calls for the talks between council leaders and ministers to be made more open and transparent.

She said: "Behind doors decisions with the odd briefing for those not involved is not how I see democracy working, where is my voice, no-where, where is your voice, no-where."

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter