Town becomes first in county to 'double devolve'

Knaresborough Town Council will take control of the weekly market after the recent agreement

Knaresborough has become the first town in North Yorkshire to "double devolve" after it took over the running of its market from the county-wide authority.

The town council will take control of the weekly market, which operates under a royal charter granted more than 700 years ago by King Edward II.

North Yorkshire Council representatives recently gave the go-ahead for the transfer, with the authority's executive member for highways and transportation highlighting the significance of the move.

Councillor Malcolm Taylor said: "It would be the first example of double devolution, which involves the responsibility of local council services being given to town and parish councils.

"It's take a little while to get there but I'm really pleased Knaresborough have effectively become trailblazers by embracing it."

Taylor said he hoped this would be the first of many similar ventures across the county.

"This helps ensure grassroots democracy is serving local communities and taxpayers' money is being used as effectively as possible," he added.

Council leader Carl Les congratulated the town council for taking on the market.

"I think one thing we've learned in this is that double devolution is as complicated as we thought it might be," he said.

"I think it is also right that we've taken the time to actually get it right."

The authority took control of the market in 2023 after the abolition of Harrogate Borough Council, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

A similar deal to hand control of public toilets to Malton Town Council collapsed in July after it emerged local councillors wanted to charge a 40p fee for use of the conveniences.

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