Declares that the Harrogate Springs Water Levy of 0.5% of profits should be returned for the benefit of the people of Harrogate through the newly created Harrogate Town Council.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons calls on North Yorkshire Council to return the money for the use of the citizens of Harrogate as was always intended.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Tom Gordon, Official Report, 7 July 2025; Vol. 770, c. 767.]
[P003089]
Observations from The Minister for Local Government and English Devolution (Jim McMahon):
As you will appreciate, local authorities are independent of central Government. Ministers and central Government do not have a remit to intervene in the day-to-day affairs of local authorities, except where specific provision has been made in an Act of Parliament. As this is a local matter, it would not be appropriate for central Government to intervene.
I hope that you can have a constructive dialogue with North Yorkshire council, and more broadly with the York and North Yorkshire Mayor, David Skaith, in respect of the support and investment into Harrogate, including the newly established Harrogate town council.