Ripon councillors locked in bitter battle as ruling group demands return of keys

As the changing of the guard at Ripon City Council has been unfolding, the Stray Ferret has provided the most extensive coverage of any media organisation, keeping our readers fully informed about what is happening at the city's troubled town hall. See the links at the bottom of this article for a list of previous stories.

Ripon's parish precept raised £457,800 in the 2024-25 financial year and council taxpayers need to know how their money is being spent.

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Items ranging from the alteration of committees to changing the locks at Ripon Town Hall are on the agenda for the first ‘normal’ meeting of the reconfigured city council on Monday evening.

The meeting, at which Ripon residents are invited to ‘question, seek clarification or make representation to members of the council on any agenda item’ starts at 6pm in the town hall.

It follows three extraordinary meetings in the space of 11 days.

Cllr Jackie Crozier's resignation as mayor, her successor Cllr Barbara Brodigan facing a public vote of no confidence, abolition of the roles of leader and deputy and the departures of three of the council's four staff members, including chief officer Paula Benson. 

Indicative of the deep mistrust that that has grown between the two warring factions of councillors is this agenda item:

With the departure of Paula Benson, the council's chief officer, councillors will need to confirm the appointment of a locum town clerk so that the meeting can proceed.

Then, newly-appointed mayor and council chair, Cllr Barbara Brodigan, will present each agenda item, including the request made by 30 voters on the city's electoral register for a parish meeting, at which she will face a vote of no confidence,

Councillors will be asked to 'note the request for a parish meeting and confirm next steps.'

The parish meeting request states:

Other items on Monday's agenda include: 

The appointment of signatories for council financial documents, amendment of a standing order to enable removal of references to leader, deputy leader and a change of reference from staffing committee to human resources committee. 

Councillors will also vote on the creation of a new civic events committee, separate from the existing events committee.

This will consider the content of the terms of reference for the new committee and note funding in the budget for 2025/26 that is relevant to civic events.