Council structure

Chief Executive - Wallace Sampson

Harrogate Borough Council
PO Box 787
Harrogate
HG1 2RW

Tel: 01423 500600

The Chief Executive is responsible for overall management. All staff are accountable to him and directors report to him. The Chief Executive reports to the leader, the cabinet and the council, depending on the issue, has specific responsibilities for emergency planning and civil protection, and is the returning officer for local and parliamentary elections.


Director of Corporate Affairs - Rachel Bowles

Harrogate Borough Council
PO Box 787
Harrogate
HG1 2RW

Tel: 01423 500600

The Director of Corporate Affairs has direct and indirect responsibility for 287 employees and is responsible for:

  • finance: accountancy services, accountancy, internal audit, revenues, benefits
  • ICT and customer support: ICT, customer services, business support, revenues and benefits support
  • organisational development and improvement: policy and research, operational human resources, strategy and organisational development, health and safety, corporate performance, business transformation, equalities, marketing and communications
  • legal and governance: legal, procurement, democratic services, scrutiny, elections, governance, neighbourhood management, consultation and engagement, partnerships, voluntary and community sector support, community right to challenge, assets community value

Director of Community - vacancy

Harrogate Borough Council
PO Box 787
Harrogate
HG1 2RW

Tel: 01423 500600

The Director of Community has direct and indirect responsibility for 494 employees and is responsible for:

  • housing and property: housing, operational property
  • parks and environmental services: parks and grounds maintenance, environmental and waste services, street cleansing, fleet management, bereavement services, arboriculture
  • safer communities: licensing, parking services, environmental health, community safety, emergency planning and civil contingencies, CCTV

Director of Economy and Culture - Trevor Watson

Harrogate Borough Council
PO Box 787
Harrogate
HG1 2RW

Tel: 01423 500600

The Director of Economy and Culture has direct and indirect responsibility for 323 employees and is responsible for:

  • planning and development: Nidderdale AONB, planning, building control, land charges, strategic development, environmental strategy
  • culture, tourism and sports: culture, tourism, sport and leisure

Director, Harrogate Convention Centre - Paula Lorimer

Harrogate Convention Centre
Kings Road
Harrogate
HG1 5LA

Tel: 01423 500500

The Director of the Harrogate Convention Centre has direct and indirect responsibility for 44 employees and is responsible for:

  • sales
  • operations