Bill Hoult

Liberal Democrats on North Yorkshire County Council Hall have reacted angrily to the decision on the 28 November 2007 by the County Council’s Transport Scrutiny Committee to support the termination of the highway agency agreements with District Councils in Scarborough and Harrogate.

The decision came at the special meeting of the Transport & Telecommunications Overview & Scrutiny Committee at County Hall on 28 November. The committee voted by six to two to end the 30-year-old system where the County Council delegates responsibility for road maintenance to the District Councils in the urban areas. As usual, Labour and the Tories voted together. Only the Liberal Democrats voted against.

No substantial argument  was put for ending the agreements on grounds of quality or value, and no financial case was made.

The only argument made for changing the arrangement was that the County’s highway maintenance contract with its private sector provider is due for renewal in three year’s time.

Lib Dem County Councillor Dr Keith Barnes (Harrogate Oatlands), said afterwards:

“It may well be time to review the agency agreements in Harrogate and Scarborough, but to end them without consultation or evidence is unprofessional and a travesty of democracy.”

“The Council has made no attempt to find out whether local people are happy with the current arrangement.”

Honorary Alderman George Crowther OBE, former Leader and Mayor of Harrogate Council, spoke against the proposal before the debate, and commented after the meeting:

“The Tories appear more concerned with keeping their private sector contractors happy than with providing the best services for Harrogate and Scarborough residents.”

“And Labour have meekly backed them to the hilt.”

Eight members will serve on an Executive Committee for day to day business and they are the officers plus Shirley Head; Cllr Andrew Willoughby; Cllr Christine Willoughby and Cllr Lynne York Davies.

Cllr Bill Hoult (Secretary) explains “It was felt that an independent group comprising members from different organisations and none would be the best way of avoiding getting wrapped up in red tape. It also makes applying for grants so much easier.”

Membership of the working party is open to anyone for an annual fee of £5 and those interested should contact the secretary Cllr Bill Hoult on 01423 867804 or Email Cllr.b.hoult@northyorks.gov.uk .

It is intended that a web site be set up for up to date information to be posted.

Terry Maude (Fund raising Officer comments “Pledges of support have already been received including the donation of the seat by Harrogate Borough Council. We intend to involve the whole community including local schools in helping to deliver the project. The total project cost is in the region of £30K and the Group have set an ambitious target of raising the money over the next twelve months.”

Althea Farmer (Chair) said “This is one of the most exciting community projects for Knaresborough and I am confident that we will receive support from not only Knaresborough residents but also those with fond memories or connections with our Town.”

Any donations will be welcome and should be addressed to the Blind Jack Statue Working Group c/o Cllr Bill Hoult Tel 01423 867804

Despite claims to the contrary the Tory led Harrogate Borough Council is failing in its recycling project. Recent information obtained by Cllr Bill Hoult shows that Harrogate Borough Council has the worst record for recycling waste than any other District Council in the County. Only a quarter of the waste produced is recycled in the District as against nearly half by the leading District (Ryedale).

The importance of getting to grips with the waste management strategy, of which recycling plays a key role is the fact that £1 in every £10 of Council Tax is committed to that issue alone. The message is clear, that as a county we must produce less waste, recycle more and deal with what is left more efficiently.

One of the problems is that each District Council collects its recyclable waste in a different way and there is little co ordination. Cllr Bill Hoult comments “It’s crazy that after all this time that the local Torys have failed to get their act together to deal with the waste mountain.”  

Claire Kelly has been selected by Harrogate and Knaresborough Lib Dem members to be their candidate when Phil Willis steps down at the next general election . She has all the right credentials - lives locally, has been both district and county councillor, has worked closely with Phil Willis for 10 years, chairs St Aidan’s School governing body, the Harrogate District CVS, has brought up a family and, above all, cares - cares about Harrogate, cares about Yorkshire, cares about the world issues.

We all look forward to campaigning and winning with Claire - continuing the Phil Willis traditions. (Not forgetting that we probably have a couple more years of Phil’s excellent representation of Harrogate & Knaresborough at Westminster.)

 Blue plaques have been appearing on buildings for some time in Knaresborough and have been put up by the Town’s Civic Society, The one pictured is at the old linen mill in Green Dragon Yard. This venture has received financial support by Knaresborough Town Council, Harrogate Borough and North Yorkshire County Council and the Civic Society members themselves. Town Councillor Barbara Asquith comments “What a great example this is of a community working together to support and inform on the heritage of our ancient Town to visitors and residents alike.”