This is why a new single council for Harrogate with county council's powers may be needed

The average council tax payer may care little about the structure of local government but there are fears Harrogate may risk being ‘over governed’ under new plans for devolution in Yorkshire.
Harrogate council - "It is important to be taking part in these discussions to ensure that the position of Harrogate and of the wider Harrogate district is recognised.Harrogate council - "It is important to be taking part in these discussions to ensure that the position of Harrogate and of the wider Harrogate district is recognised.
Harrogate council - "It is important to be taking part in these discussions to ensure that the position of Harrogate and of the wider Harrogate district is recognised.

Discussions are already underway regarding the creation of a brand new York and North Yorkshire combined authority, complete with an elected mayor and access to millions in government funds.

But the enormity of the possible implications of what could turn out to be the biggest change in local government here for nearly 50 years are already starting to hit home.

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Coun Richard Cooper, the leader of Harrogate Borough Council, says it is right that the district should embrace more devolved powers for the regions - in principle.

“More powers over local affairs, particularly in the fields of carbon reduction, sustainable transport and green growth, is a good thing,” he said. “One only has to look at the example of Manchester to see how effective devolution to local areas can be. If we can do it better and pump a greater percentage of the council tax and national taxes paid by local people in to local services then we should.

“This should not only be a huge benefit for York and North Yorkshire but also for the Harrogate district.”

Harrogate Borough Council is just one of several, mainly larger, local authorities taking part in talks about devolution.

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While keen to keep an open mind, the council is aware of the potential pitfalls as bigger forces come together to construct a new Yorkshire.

Coun Cooper, added: “We need to make sure that any devolution deal delivers the best possible outcome for local taxpayers.

“I am concerned, however, that a devolution deal could introduce another tier of government and there is a strong argument that we should look at how local councils are organised, too. Currently we have Harrogate Borough Council doing some things and North Yorkshire County Council doing other things.

“If we have a mayor with a cabinet that’ll be another tier doing another load of things with another set of officers.

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"When you throw in existing parish councils too, people might think we are slightly over-governed and from bodies based too far away.”

After seeing its long-held goal of forming closer links with Leeds scuppered by the Government, Harrogate council is quietly determined to keep the district’s interests uppermost in its mind as devolution plans unfold.

On paper, as a Conservative-controlled council, Harrogate Borough Council might be expected to be on the same page as North Yorkshire County Council when it comes to devolution.

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But a feeling is emerging that should a bigger York and North Yorkshire authority happen, it may be necessary to introduce a new single council for the Harrogate district to replace both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Coun Cooper said: “I think most people would feel that in the new circumstances of a regionally-elected mayor the current division of services between district councils and county councils will have had its day.

“A single council for the Harrogate district should be part of considerations.”

Fighting Harrogate's corner

If a new combined authority for York and North Yorkshire is just around the corner as part of Yorkshire devolution, it will need the agreement of the existing councils who will be affected, including Harrogate Borough Council.

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Its leader Coun Richard Cooper is aware, as one of the smaller councils, Harrogate needs to work hard for its interests.

Coun Cooper said: “Devolution is about exercising more control locally over things that are currently done at a national level; it could bring great benefits to North Yorkshire.

“If we manage to get a deal similar to those in other areas we could see control of major transport infrastructure, initiatives to support industry, post-16 education and apprenticeships and regional environmental policy all delivered regionally rather than nationally.

“This should be a huge benefit for York and North Yorkshire but also for the Harrogate district.

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“That is why it is important to be taking part in these discussions to ensure that the position of Harrogate - as the biggest town in North Yorkshire - and of the wider Harrogate district is recognised.”