New Town Councils for Harrogate and Scarborough

In July 2025, following a Community Governance Review, we agreed to the creation of 2 new town councils within North Yorkshire, one for the currently unparished part of Harrogate, and one for the currently unparished part of Scarborough.

Elections will be held to elect councillors to these new town councils on 1 May 2025 for a term of 2 years. Elections will be held again in 2027 for a 4-year term to align with elections for North Yorkshire Council and all other parish councils.

The new parish boundaries will be in effect from 1 April 2025. 

We will publish information on how to stand as a candidate in these elections in the coming months. If you would like to be added to a list to be kept informed about any briefings, or be provided with a nomination pack, when available, please email elections@northyorks.gov.uk.

Any questions relating to the governance, functions or role of the new councils please email CGR@northyorks.gov.uk. 

Election Timetable 2025

• Publish notice of election - no later than Tuesday 25 March
• Nominations can be submitted (and election agents can be appointed) (10am until 4pm) - Wednesday 2 April
• Publish statement as to persons nominated (4pm) - Thursday 3 April
• Deadline to register to vote at this election - Friday 11 April
• Last day for new applications to vote by post (5pm) - Monday 14 April
• Last day for new Voter Authority Certificate applications (5pm) - Wednesday 23 April
• Publish notice of poll - Wednesday 23 April
• Last day for new applications to vote by proxy (5pm) - Wednesday 23 April
• Deadline for appointing polling or counting agents - Thursday 24 April
• Polling day (7am until 10pm) - Thursday 1 May
• Last day for applications to vote by emergency proxy (5pm) - Thursday 1 May
• Deadline to issue Temporary Voter Authority Certificate (10pm) - Thursday 1 May
• Verification and Count - Friday 2 May
• Candidate deadline - return of election expenses forms - Thursday 29 May