This is the date of new Harrogate council by-election called after a councillor's resignation

Councillor on Harrogate council resigns after health scares to 'put family first'

Following the resignation of Conservative Coun Samantha Mearns who is stepping down for family reasons, voters will be able to choose her replacement on Harrogate Borough Council on Thursday, July 29.

Coun Mearns, who was elected to serve the Scriven Park ward in May 2018, said it had been a "great honour" to represent local residents but she had to "put family first".

She said: "Not too long before the pandemic struck, my younger brother – my only sibling – died after a relatively short but terrible illness.

"It was a huge shock for me and my mother as well as my children and my brother’s family.

"Shortly after, and during the pandemic, my mother was diagnosed with cancer.

"This is serious at any time but during the pandemic, when restrictions were causing operations to be delayed and the risk of Covid infection was high, even more so.

"My mother had an operation and is now recovering but it was another scare for our family and, I know many will agree, family have to come first. "

Prospective candidates do not have long to throw their hat in the ring.

Nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer at The Civic Centre, St Lukes Avenue, Harrogate, HG1 2AE between 10am and 4pm on any working day (excluding bank holidays) no later than 4 pm on Friday, July 2.

Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 12 midnight on 13 July 2021. Applications can be made online: https://www.gov.uk/registerto-vote

Award-winning writer calls for Harrogate cultural renaissance as new book The Heeding is instant bestseller

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.