After legal threats, shouting matches and resignations, the political spotlight in Ripon turned its focus on another subject this week — the mayoral lamppost.

A ceremonial lamp stands outside the mayor's home as part of a tradition dating back almost a century. The ornate light and post are moved each time a mayor is elected.

Harrogate Borough Council footed the relocation cost until it was abolished two years ago. Since then, it has fallen on Ripon City Council.

The issue came under the spotlight at Monday’s parish meeting, which debated whether to hold a parish poll on a vote of no confidence in the current mayor, Councillor Barbara Brodigan.

The cost of a poll was put at £5,000 to £7,000 by North Yorkshire Council’s electoral services manager before the meeting. However, supporters of Cllr Brodigan have said it could be between £10,000 and £20,000.

Sandra Craven, who convened the meeting, asked why the cost of the parish poll should be prohibitive when it would cost a smiliar amount to moving the lamppost.

Cllr Brodigan replied the cost of moving the lamppost was likely to be about £3,000.

The Stray Ferret was subsequently sent a copy of a quote from North Yorkshire Council to the city council to ‘remove and resite the mayoral column’ for £6,799, including VAT.

This was seized on by opponents of Liberal Democrat Cllr Brodigan. One of whom, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Stray Ferret:

Cllr Brodigan told the Stray Ferret she had been quoted £3,000 by other councillors, including former mayor, Cllr Sid Hawke, and “may have been misinformed”.

We asked locum clerk Adam Chugg why he did not mention the quote when the issue was raised at Monday’s meeting. Mr Chugg said there were some 40 or 50 contributions from speakers on the night, and he did not have the information to hand on every subject raised.

Originally powered by town gas, the lamp, which includes the city’s horn crest, was subsequently adapted to be powered by electricity.