Three candidates to stand in key Ripon by-election

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Three people have been nominated to stand in the forthcoming Ure Bank by-election for a seat on Ripon City Council.

Tom Cavell-Taylor will represent the Liberal Democrats, Sherrie Hunt will stand for the Independent Putting Ripon Before Party Politics group and Paula Pearse will represent Reform UK.

There is heightened interest in the by-election because it could determine the direction of the troubled city council.

The unaligned group, led by Liberal Democrat Councillor Barbara Brodigan, who is also the mayor, has just five of the 11 seats following the defection of Cllr Sid Hawke.

Cllr Hawke recently re-joined the Independent group, which now has the other six seats.

If Ms Hunt wins the by-election, on November 20, the Independent group will have a 7-5 majority and be in political control at the town hall.

Mr Cavell-Taylor is expected to support Cllr Brodigan’s unaligned group so if he wins there will be a 6-6 split and Cllr Brodigan would retain control of the town hall because as mayor, she has the casting vote.

If Ms Pearse wins, she would become the first Reform councillor on the city council — and her vote would be highly coveted by the two warring factions.

Three members of the Independent group — Jo Bate, Sid Hawke and Eamon Parkin — were elected at the last Ure Bank election in 2022.

The Independent group, led by Cllr Andrew Williams, who is also a member of the Conservative Party, held power on the city council until last month.

But the balance of power changed, which paved the way for recent turbulence.

Cllr Jackie Crozier, a member of the Independent group, resigned as mayor after a vote of no confidence was brought against her. 

Cllr Brodigan, who was elected to succeed her, has overseen numerous changes, including the abolition of the council leader role formerly occupied by Cllr Williams, as well as significant changes to committees.

Look for an article profiling the candidates on Stray Ferret soon.