The Mayor of Ripon will continue his duties until September 15, when the city council will hold its civic annual meeting.
Cllr Eamon Parkin was elected to the mayoralty in May 2019 and his period in office has been extended because of the coronavirus crisis.
His deputy, Cllr Charlie Powell, will also remain in post for the next two months.
The city council’s first face to face meeting since March 2020, was preceded by its annual meeting.
Before the unanimous vote confirming his continuance in office, Cllr Parkin was thanked for his service.
Council leader Andrew Williams, said:
“In spite of a very difficult mayoral year, limited by covid, Cllr Parkin has continued to represent Ripon with great dignity.”
The mayor, who chairs council meetings, has been conducting them virtually via Teams, since social distancing requirements came into force.
The city council will hold its civic annual meeting at Ripon Town Hall on 15 September
The coronavirus crisis brought the cancellation of civic events that would have come within the mayoral year.
These include the celebration of the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Battle of Britain Day, Remembrance Sunday and the annual St Wilfrid procession.
As a publican operating in Ripon, Cllr Parkin has personally experienced the difficulties that lockdown brought for small businesses in the city.
However, he has remained optimistic about the future and in his New Year message, told the Stray Ferret:
“Against this backdrop of hardship and heartache, Ripon’s independent spirit has shone through
“Though the civic year has been severely curtailed by covid, I have either witnessed or been told of hundreds of acts of kindness across our proud and ancient city.”
A new mayor and deputy mayor will be elected to serve from September.
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