Editor's Pick of the Week: Labour's machine misfires in Harrogate and planning woes in Pateley

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We may have a Labour government, and a Labour mayor, but the party has abandoned all hope of winning control of Harrogate Town Council.

It emerged this week the party is fielding just eight candidates in 19 wards at the inaugural town council election on May 1, meaning it can’t possibly achieve a majority.

Remember Conrad Whitcroft, Labour’s candidate at last year’s general election? He told us during the election campaign: "When the Harrogate Town Council is properly formed we will have a campaign machine in place so we can start winning Labour councillors once more." The machine doesn't appear to be firing on all cylinders just now.

Democracy was at its finest in Pateley Bridge this week when the town hosted a North Yorkshire Council planning meeting to determine the outcome of the long-running saga to convert Glasshouses Mill into flats.

The council, developer, a residents’ group and Pateley Bridge Town Council all had their say. Sharp words were exchanged, and after much tutting and rolling of eyes the meeting concluded with a classic British compromise, or fudge, and a generally cordial atmosphere between parties.

Perhaps everyone was just happy to finally be able to move on, but the case raised questions about the council’s ability to enforce planning regulations.

Talking of Pateley Bridge, there are few finer ways to spend a spring day than cycling from the town to Masham, and few lovelier sounds to accompany you than the call of the curlew, which is in full voice now.

I had no idea that Nidderdale was such an important breeding ground until this week when Nidderdale National Landscape flagged up concerns about numbers.

Let's hope the curlews continue to sound on the moors each spring.