Harrogate & Knaresborough Conservatives

20/03/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Cllr Tom Martin on his fantastic victory in Valley Gardens, with a 12.2% swing!

Residents have spoken and voted for Tom as their new Conservative councillor on Harrogate Town Council. Tom will be a brilliant voice for Valley Gardens; a local hard-working member of the community who will continue to champion the issues that matter most.

Thank you to everyone who voted, campaigned, and supported us.

13/02/2026

13/02/2026

15/01/2026

This week, Liberal Democrat councillors voted through a 105% increase in the town council precept, more than doubling the charge on Band D households.

Local Conservative Councillor, Michael Harrison, has raised serious concerns about where that money is going, with around 74% of the budget allocated to staffing and administration rather than frontline services.

🗣️ Cllr Harrison said:

“The problem with this budget is that so much of it is taken up with the administration cost of running the council. There is very little that residents can see they are getting for their money.”

It is only the Conservatives who believe councils should focus on delivering visible, practical services for residents and ensuring value for money for taxpayers.

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26/11/2025

Just seen this farmer being waved down and stopped by police officers, who’ve seemingly been instructed to prevent any peaceful protest against the ruinous Family Farm Tax on Whitehall today.

All to save Rachel Reeves blushes.

26/11/2025

Our thoughts on Labour's disastrous budget 🗣️

This is a budget that has been shambolic in preparation with leaks and spin.

Now we have the reality. It is a budget that takes taxes to record levels so that the government can boost welfare spending. This is despite the Prime Minister and Chancellor saying that current levels of welfare spending was not sustainable.

Labour came into office saying they would increase taxes by £8.5 billion and that anyone who said
their pledges would cost more, was a liar. Two budgets later taxes have gone up by £66 billion.

It is no surprise that the public are cross and distrustful and economic indicators are heading in the wrong direction.

In terms of the specifics, growth forecasts have been downgraded in every year of the parliament when the government said growth was its main policy objective.

This is a budget of broken promises.

By the end of the parliament, due to the freezing of thresholds, one in four workers will have to pay
the upper rate of income tax and older people who live only on the state pension will become tax payers.

Locally, our area has a huge visitor industry but mayors can now introduce a tourism tax. You cannot
tax your way to growth. This budget is a shocker.

22/11/2025

💡A new roundabout for Knaresborough?💡

Local businesses lead efforts to tackle poor traffic flow on Knaresborough High Street.

HMCA/s PLC have launched a petition calling on North Yorkshire Council to reduce congestion problems on Knaresborough High Street. 35 local businesses have signed the petition.

One proposal put forward is to install a mini roundabout at the York Place / Gracious Street junction to allow for the free flow of traffic, prevent congestion and reduce standing traffic on the High Street.

Our Knaresborough Campaigner Philip Allott is gathering views of residents living near the town centre, to add to views gathered by businesses.

14/10/2025

Town market handover would be ‘double devolution in action’

A proposal to hand over the running of Knaresborough’s historic weekly Chartered Market to the Town Council is set to go before North Yorkshire Council’s executive on Tuesday, October 21 2025.

If approved, it would be the first example of “double devolution in action” where local council services are passed down to town or parish councils, bringing decision-making closer to the community.

The market, which operates every Wednesday under a Royal Charter granted by King Edward II in 1310, is a cherished part of the town’s heritage.

📣 Cllr Malcolm Taylor, executive member for highways and transportation, said:

“This proposal, if accepted, would mark a significant milestone in the history of North Yorkshire Council and our commitment to bring democracy closer to the people.

By allowing the town council to take over the responsibility for this market we are enabling decisions that will benefit stallholders and residents to be taken at a local level."

📣 Angela Pulman, Clerk to Knaresborough Town Council, added:

“Knaresborough Town Council is hopeful for a favourable decision at the meeting of North Yorkshire Council’s executive regarding the transfer of the market.

The council aims to develop the market into one of the best in the region, ensuring it continues to serve as a vibrant hub for both locals and visitors alike.”

📌 If approved, the Town Council will:

- Invest in an e-booking system for stall bookings

- Continue stall set-up services via a contractor
Form a dedicated markets committee

- Take on all operating costs and receive all income — with no ongoing costs for the local authority

- This is a big step forward for local democracy and a chance to make the market even more vibrant and community-focused.

14/10/2025

At the budget, Labour have a choice:

Hike spending and taxes, or cut spending, scrap Stamp Duty and build a stronger economy.

For us, it’s a no brainer.

10/09/2025

Keir Starmer just refused - several times - to answer basic question about what he knew about Mandelson & Epstein's relationship.

It's all very fishy...