The upcoming by-election for the Coppice Valley Ward on Harrogate Town Council is scheduled for Thursday, 6 August 2026.
The election was triggered following the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Austin Wildmore.
The official Statement of Persons Nominated released by the Returning Officer at North Yorkshire Council confirms that four candidates are contesting the Coppice Valley Ward by-election:
- Darren Townend – Reform UK
- Rebecca McManus – Liberal Democrats
- Daniel William James Thompson – Local Conservatives
- Tamsin Worrall – Green Party
Questions to Tamsin Worrall, Green Party
Q – Candidate Selection Process: Could you outline how your candidate was selected for this specific by-election? Was there a local branch nomination vote, or was the candidate appointed directly by the regional association?
Tamsin said:
As with all elections, the final decision is that of the local party.
As soon as we were aware that Mr Wildmore was standing down, we e mailed all our members based in Coppice Valley to see if they wanted to stand. On this occasion, no one wanted to. I am usually the candidate for Bilton Grange, however, as Bilton Grange and Coppice Valley are now one big division for NYC, I felt it would make sense for me to stand.
I therefore applied to be the candidate. As there was no opposition, my candidature was ratified by our campaign committee with a unanimous vote, and approved by our executive.
Q – Candidate Profile & Background: Please provide a brief biographical profile of your candidate. We are particularly interested in their professional background, their connection to the Coppice Valley area, and any past community work.
Tamsin is a 64yo trans woman living in Bilton for the past 13 years. She is married to Teresa, a local nurse. They have 4 grown up daughters and 3 grandchildren between them. They are also fully owned by 4 rescue dogs!!
Tamsin had a very successful 36 year career as a technical production specialist in the food manufacturing industry.
She has worked on the railway for the past 6 years, most recently at Knaresborough signal box. Her granddaughter went to the wonderful Coppice Valley Primary School.
As Coppice Valley is now paired with Bilton Grange for NYC elections, it made sense for her to represent this area. She has been a member of Bilton Conservation Society, The Woodland Trust, The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, campaigned for HALT to prevent the proposed ring road, and also campaigned against the expansion of Harrogate Spring Water in Harlow.
Q – The £15,000 By-Election Cost: The Harrogate Green Party has publicly criticised the £15,000 cost burden this standalone election places on the town council, suggesting the seat should have remained vacant until 2027. What is your party’s response to this, and why do you feel a full democratic vote is justified at this time?
Tamsin said:
Firstly, the cost is between £4-6k. Secondly, there was no suggestion the seat should remain vacant. The process would have been to have someone co-opted.
This could have been done at no cost. Given the Lib Dems already have an unassailable majority, and there is now only 8 months to the next full HTC election, I feel using that amount to spend on improvements to the ward would have been by far the better option. I stand by that view.
Tamsin’s Personal Statement
Should I be fortunate enough to be voted in by the good people of Coppice, I would like to make it clear that I am not the Green Party representative, I am the people’s representative. Greens are not whipped. We are free to vote solely in the best interests of our residents. This makes us unique. I have no interest in cross party squabbles.
Time and again over the past weeks, I have spoken to people on doorsteps who have had enough of the politics of petty point scoring and divisiveness.
Green politics is all about hope and communities coming together. Residents want councillors to resolve the issues that make their lives that much harder.
That’s exactly what they will get from me. You have all made it clear to me what you want to be done. I will work collaboratively with all other politicians to get the best results. I will be visible and available at all times as YOUR councillor.
