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21
Oct
Dramatic development in ongoing Ripon council saga
In a sensational twist to the ongoing Ripon City Council saga, Councillor Sid Hawke has this afternoon exclusively revealed to the Stray Ferret that he has left the group of non-aligned councillors led by Liberal Democrat Barbara Brodigan to rejoin the independents group led by Councillor Andrew Williams.
His decision sees the balance of power return to the independents, who now have six of the 11 seats in the council chamber, ahead of a Ure Bank by-election on November 20.
Cllr Hawke has also unreservedly apologised to former mayor, Cllr Jackie Crozier, for putting his name to a motion of no confidence in her.
He said:
I now know and have full confidence that she has done nothing wrong, I deeply regret any stress which she has been caused and once again I place on record my thanks to her for her loyal service to me last year as my deputy mayor and her service as mayor.
Councillor Hawke, who voted for his deputy Cllr Crozier to succeed him as mayor, is pictured with her as they entered Ripon Cathedral on May 6 for the installation service.
'I've been misled'
On Friday, Cllr Hawke, said he had decided to resign as a councillor.
He did not attend last night's extraordinary meeting and has now said he has had a change of heart.
Speaking today, he said:
Over the last few days, I have had time to take advice from family and friends regarding my position on Ripon City Council where I have served as a councillor for the last 22 years.
I have reflected upon that advice and concluded that I have made a huge error of judgement and have been misled by Cllrs Brodigan and McHardy who have in recent weeks brought Ripon City Council into chaos.
I would like to issue an unreserved apology to Cllr Jackie Crozier for putting my name to a motion of no confidence in her. I now know and have full confidence that she has done nothing wrong, I deeply regret any stress which she has been caused.
Call for Cllrs Brodigan and McHardy to resign
Councillors Pauline McHardy (right) and Barbara Brodigan, pictured at Ripon Market, where they raised a 3,000-name petition in opposition to North Yorkshire Council changes.
Cllr Hawke added:
Ripon had been coming out of the doldrums caused by 50 years of under investment in our city by the former Harrogate council and I was proud to be associated with the Independent Putting Ripon Before Party Politics grouping as we had begun to make progress in making Ripon a better place to live, work or visit.
On reflection I have concluded that it should be Cllrs Brodigan and McHardy tendering their resignations and leaving Ripon City Council and North Yorkshire Council. They have been on nothing short of a personal vanity and ego trip at the expense of the wellbeing of Ripon and I am sorry that I allowed myself to be caught up in it.
I have spoken today with both Cllrs Crozier and Williams and apologised to them, they were in their respective roles simply trying to do their best for Ripon.
Cllr Williams added:
I hope after several weeks of chaos some stability can be returned to Ripon City Council. I welcome the decision Cllr Hawke has taken to distance himself from the unwarranted witch-hunt against Cllr Crozier and am pleased that his decision to rejoin the Independent Group and to work to bring stability back to Ripon City Council.
This means that the cost of a by election is avoided, those resources can be used to provide services to the community instead.
I pledge to work with Cllrs Camplejohn, Crozier, Flatley, Hawke and Horton and any other member of Ripon City Council who is interested in moving Ripon forward.
Cllr Crozier ends silence
Speaking to the media for the first time since her resignation as mayor, Cllr Crozier said:
It takes a brave man to stand up and admit that he made a mistake and to seek to make amends for it. I thank Sid for having the courage to have done so and for making his position very clear.
The last few weeks have been very difficult for me personally as I have been on the receiving end of a witch-hunt led by Cllrs Brodigan and McHardy
Cllr Hawke concluded:
I am looking forward once again to working with my independent colleagues to ensure that the pantomime season is over.
I will be working to ensure that Sherrie Hunt is elected in the Ure Bank Ward by-election which is to be held on November 20.
I fully endorse her candidacy, I believe she will make an excellent councillor and I will be voting for her on polling day and look forward to working with her and Gary Camplejohn to represent the residents of Ure Bank Ward.
Seeking legal advice
The Stray Ferret approached Cllr Brodigan and Cllr McHardy, in respect of claims made against them in this article.
Speaking on behalf of both councillors, Cllr Brodigan said:
We are currently seeking legal advice and are not in a position to comment further at this time.
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