Lib Dems Call for Harrogate Spring Water Levy to be Spent Locally

Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats are calling for the proceeds from the use of the “Harrogate” name by Harrogate Spring Water to be returned to the town itself, rather than being absorbed into the wider coffers of Conservative-run North Yorkshire Council.

For years, Harrogate Spring Water has paid a levy amounting to 0.5% of its net sales for the use of the town’s name – a contribution which historically went to Harrogate Borough Council. However, following local government reorganisation and the abolition of Harrogate Borough Council, this revenue now goes directly to North Yorkshire Council. For the financial year ending March 2024, Harrogate Spring Water made a payment of £176,806 to North Yorkshire Council. The current initial budget for Harrogate Town Council is £362,000, meaning the addition of the Harrogate Spring Water levy would see a 48.84% increase in the Town Council’s budget

Tom Gordon MP met with Harrogate Spring Water last year. He outlined his continued opposition to the destruction of Rotary Wood and talked about the future of the levy now that Harrogate is getting a town council.

Local Liberal Democrats say this is a missed opportunity to support local initiatives, services, and infrastructure in the very community that has given the brand its name and reputation.

Viv Poskitt, local GP and Liberal Democrat campaigner for St George’s, said:

“The name Harrogate carries a reputation for quality and heritage, which Harrogate Spring Water rightly benefits from. It’s only fair that the town also sees a direct benefit. This modest levy should be reinvested in Harrogate – not swallowed up in a county-wide budget where it risks disappearing without trace.”

Edward Metcalfe, Liberal Democrat campaigner for Valley Gardens, said:

“We’re calling for the creation of a new Harrogate Fund, managed locally, to receive and distribute this money in a way that benefits our town’s people and future. Whether it supports environmental projects, local youth services, or town centre improvements, this is Harrogate’s money – and it should stay in Harrogate.”

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Tom Gordon, said:

“This is about fairness and accountability. The people of Harrogate deserve to see the value of their town’s name reflected in investment in their community – not lost in the bureaucracy of a much larger council. I will be pressing the Conservative-run North Yorkshire Council to do the right thing and ensure this money supports the town that has helped build the Harrogate Spring Water brand.”

The Lib Dems are urging Conservative-run North Yorkshire Council to commit to a formal agreement that would see all funds raised from the levy returned to Harrogate via the newly established Harrogate Town Council or ringfenced for local projects with meaningful input from local residents.

ENDS