Ripon set for another extraordinary night as mayor saga continues

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Ripon Town Hall is expected to be packed again tonight for the second extraordinary meeting of the city council in a week.

Councillor Jackie Crozier resigned as mayor ahead of a vote of no confidence brought by fellow councillors at an extraordinary meeting on Monday last week.

Cllr Crozier, who remains a councillor, did not attend but said afterwards: “The level of games, petty briefings, and internal politics is not something I wish to chair within this council”.

A new mayor and deputy mayor will be elected at another extraordinary meeting tonight.

Public questions are not permitted, but a large turnout is expected and some members of the public who are upset at what they regard as a witch hunt against Cllr Crozier have indicated to the Stray Ferret they may consider making their feelings known.

One person, who asked not to be named, said they still did not understand why councillors sought to remove Cllr Crozier, the city’s first out gay female mayor who only took up the post in spring.

Cllr Barbara Brodigan said after the meeting the no-confidence vote and the removal of the leader and deputy leader positions were prompted by the departure of three members of staff and the officers’ interactions with the council’s staffing committee, which includes councillors Williams, Horton and Crozier.

Cllr Brodigan added she categorically rejected the suggestion that Cllr Crozier’s sexuality was a factor.

You can read more about the saga here.

Tonight’s meeting, which starts at 6pm and is open to the public, includes three agenda items: electing the mayor, the new mayor’s declaration of acceptance of office and apologies.

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