Scarborough and Harrogate town council plans put before public

Voters have been asked to give their views on updated town council plans

Updated plans for new town councils in Harrogate and Scarborough have been put before a public consultation.

They are the only parts of North Yorkshire currently without a parish or town council.

The idea to establish new town councils was part of a North Yorkshire Council pledge to offer more power to local communities.

The town councils would be formed in April 2025, with the first elections the following month.

Residents in the unparished parts of Harrogate and Scarborough have already backed the proposals, with consultations last year showing the majority to be in favour.

However, at that time, the plan was for the town council wards to match those of North Yorkshire Council.

The proposals would have seen three councillors representing five wards in Scarborough, giving a total of 15 councillors.

The new town councils will be formed in April 2025, with the first elections the following month

In Harrogate, the plans were for two councillors to represent nine wards and a further councillor would be appointed for Saltergate, giving a total of 19 councillors.

Those plans were put before members of North Yorkshire Council, but they suggested separate wards should be created, with 15 councillors for Scarborough and 19 for Harrogate.

Residents were now being asked to consider the new proposals.

North Yorkshire Council's executive member for corporate services, David Chance, said: "The public consultation already carried out has shown that there is widespread support for town councils to be created for both Harrogate and Scarborough.

"We now want to get the wards right so are asking for views on that before the end of this month."

He added that the council could then take a final decision to introduce town councils, which would "provide more democratically-elected voices for both areas".