Council accused of ‘ignoring’ civic group

Harrogate Civic Society claims its concerns about the £9m proposals to relocate to a purpose-built base at Knapping Mount were ignored.

Society chairman Henry Pankhurst says reports looking at various options contained “anomalies and omissions” which could have prevented a balanced view being reached.

He tried to obtain further information but the response was “uninformative and condescending”.

Mr Pankhurst said there had been no consideration for:

Sixteen former mayors requesting that the offices stay at Crescent Gardens.

A lack of consultation with taxpayers about staying at Crescent Gardens or moving to Knapping Mount.

Mr Pankhurst said: “In all, there are over a dozen anomalies and omissions. We have requested that the council put on hold development of option 8 (centralising operations at Knapping Mount) and the appointment of consultants at a cost of £450,000, whilst officers look into the anomalies and omissions.”

He urged people to consider supporting the formal complaint by writing to the council.

A council spokesperson said: “Mr Pankhurst’s complaint will be considered under the council’s corporate complaints procedure.

“Whilst the council has formally made a decision to develop the option for new office accommodation at its premises at Knapping Mount, following a thorough appraisal and scrutiny of all options open to it to satisfy the council’s approved accommodation strategy, this is still subject to a further report and, as with previous reports, will be published on the council’s website unless exempt from publication due to commercial sensitivity. No final decision will be made until the council has considered a full financial options appraisals report which is currently being prepared.”