Councillor quits Tory groups over cutbacks

Coun John Savage, who sits on both North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council, has written to the leaders of both authorities to inform them that he is leaving the Tory groups.

Coun Savage has also resigned over a 25-year waste management strategy for North Yorkshire, which includes contentious plans for an incinerator.

He said: "I have deep misgivings about the financial cuts nationally and their follow-through in the county which will discriminate against the hard-working, lower-paid members of society.

"The Government should be taxing those responsible for the large part of the mess we are in – namely the bankers. I am sure there are other Conservatives who will 'wait and see'."

Coun Savage has stressed that he will remain as the county councillor for the Ainsty division, which he has represented for 13 years, as well as a member for Marston Moor ward on Harrogate Borough Council.

Both authorities are Conservative-led, and Coun Savage's letter is due to arrive this morning with the county council leader, Coun John Weighell, and the leader of Harrogate Borough Council, Coun Mike Gardner.

Coun Savage, who was the county council's chairman up until May when his year-long term came to an end, has not handed in his membership for the national Conservative Party.

Plans for North Yorkshire's waste management strategy were revealed in June.

A series of recycling techniques will handle up to 320,000 tonnes of waste a year, although the most controversial element is the planned rubbish incinerator.

The strategy is aimed at saving taxpayers up to 320m over 25 years by avoiding landfill taxes.

Coun Savage says the project is "wrong financially, environmentally and in health terms" and wants more recycling.