THE first candidates to stand in the upcoming by-elections to fill the vacant Penyghent seat on Craven District Council and the Ribblesdale seat on North Yorkshire County Council have been revealed.

The by-elections are being held following the death last year of long standing councillor Richard Welch. Voting will take place on May 6, with the deadline for candidate nominations to be made by April 8.

Brian McDaid, Labour's former parliamentary candidate for Skipton and Ripon, will contest both the Ribblesdale division on the county council and the Penyghent seat for Labour on the district council.

The Liberal Democrats have put forward Luke Allan, chairman of Craven Liberal Democrats, for both the county council and district council seats, while the Green Party has put forward David Noland, who already sits on Craven District Council, for the Ribblesdale seat on the county council. The Conservatives are also believed to be putting forward a candidate.

Craven District Council elections postponed from May 2020 and North Yorkshire County Council elections were also scheduled to be held, but have now been deferred while the Government consults on proposals to reorganise local government in North Yorkshire.

There will also be a by-election to fill the Barden Fell seat on Craven District Council following the expulsion last year from the council of Brian Pighills. The Liberal Democrats have confirmed they will not be putting forward a candidate in Barden Fell.

Parish council elections could also be held in Appletreewick, Bolton Abbey, Buckden, Cowling, Draughton, Grassington, Hebden, Kettlewell with Starbotton, Linton, and Threshfield, if there are enough nominations to create a contest.

Mr McDaid, of Skipton, assistant general secretary of Aegis the Union, is also a school governor and his two children attend local schools. His wife works for the NHS as a Paramedic.

He said: “The next year will be a crucial one for this area and the whole of North Yorkshire. The way in which local services are delivered will change with very little consideration given to the views of residents. It is vital that people of this area have a strong and independent voice both on North Yorkshire County Council and Craven District Council.

“The past ten years have seen drastic cuts in the resources provided by central government. We were promised a total reform of social care but council tax payers here are still having to bear the increasingly heavy burden of funding a system that, as the coronavirus pandemic has shown, is not fit for purpose.

“I will work with Labour colleagues on both councils to see that local people’s voices are heard and the councils are not just there to implement the will of central government."

Mr McDaid added: “This is a special place that must not be ignored. I will encourage sustainable tourism and work to ensure visitors are respectful of our unique environment and communities. I will work closely with communities to protect our county from flooding, fracking and wildlife crime. I will work closely with our local police service and other vital community organisations to ensure our communities are safer and inclusive for everyone, and I will press for improved public transport to counter rural isolation and improve links across the region. The past year has shown the importance of education, and I will do all I can to ensure greater support for young people and their mental health."