LOCAL Government Minister Kris Hopkins was in Harrogate on a fact finding mission.

The MP learned first-hand how the Stray helped to deliver a world-class Grand Départ for this year’s Tour de France.

Cllr Richard Cooper, Leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said that the Stray was one of the reasons Harrogate was chosen as a venue for the stage 1 finish of the Tour on July 5.

He said: “We knew the Stray was the perfect venue to go alongside an uphill sprint which is an important part of a stage finish. We know we have to continue to care for the Stray in the best way we can and we will always do that but we also had a way, through the Government’s Localism Act, to request a relaxation of the Stray Act for a defined and limited period."

Mr Hopkins’ visit to Harrogate was part of a two day tour hearing about the good work of northern councils.

He said: “Councils are the great innovators of Government and we need them to keep making sensible savings, to keep improving local services and to keep council tax down for local people.

"I have been impressed by the ambitious plans I have seen for improving services in Harrogate, Manchester and Sheffield."