The first of these events is to take place on Thursday 28 July at 6pm in the Queen’s Suite at Harrogate International Centre (HIC). The event is open to anybody to ask any question they wish about any issue for which the Borough Council is responsible for, or for which it can influence others
‘Ask the Cabinet’ with be chaired by Council Leader, Councillor Richard Cooper, and will also include the Council’s Chief Executive, Wallace Sampson. The full Cabinet will be there to answer questions.
They are:
Cllr Richard Cooper - Leader responsible for finance and resource issues.
Cllr Michael Harrison - Deputy Leader responsible for parks and gardens, waste
reduction and recycling.
Cllr Rebecca Burnett - Responsible for planning and sustainable transport
Cllr Mike Chambers - Responsible for housing and safer communities
Cllr Stan Lumley - Responsible for sport and culture
Cllr Graham Swift - Responsible for tourism, enterprise and economic
developmen
Harrogate Borough Council Leader Councillor Richard Cooper commented: “I want to bring democracy closer to the people it serves. Harrogate Borough Council is a well-run responsive council but that doesn’t mean we can sit back and not allow the public every opportunity to cross-examine us, come up with new ideas, tell us what we have done well and tell us where we can improve
“I regularly speak to local groups, parish councillors and school pupils. Ask the Cabinet is an extension of those meetings with everyone, young and old, invited to take part. There will be no screening of questions – it is a genuine conversation about anything. I am sure there will be some familiar faces asking familiar questions but I hope to see many new faces making their opinions known and getting information first-hand from me and my colleagues
“We will try to answer all questions fully on the day but if we can’t answer because we need to find more information then we will take details and get back to everyone interested in the issue being raised.
Anyone wishing to to attend the event should register their interest by emailing askthecabinet@harrogate.gov.uk or calling 01423 500 600 (ext 58060)