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10
Oct
Time to get behind new mayor, says Ripon restaurant owner
A Ripon restaurant owner has urged residents to end the “factionalism” and get behind new mayor Barbara Brodigan.
Richard Hughes, who owns Manchega Tapas and Wine Bar, has emerged as a leading supporter of Cllr Brodigan in turbulent times.
The city council has been riddled by division over the last month, which has seen the resignation of previous mayor, Cllr Jackie Crozier, and Cllr Brodigan face a public vote of no confidence in a parish poll.
A date for the poll has not been announced yet.
The city council appears to be divided into two factions and Mr Hughes, who has spoken at recent meetings, said it was time to unite.
Speaking about Cllr Brodigan, he said:
What I see and hear in my brief experience is a woman of integrity; of huge business and community leadership success. She is strong, principled and holds a vision and aspiration of what Ripon can and should be. She is clear — as anyone with aspiration can see — that Ripon can only really progress wholeheartedly with a unified council working with unified community bodies. She champions openness and engagement with all those willing to engage in the project.
Mr Hughes speaking at a recent Ripon City Council meeting.
Mr Hughes said he and Cllr Brodigan both have education backgrounds supporting troubled young people and the two had discussed youth issues in Ripon. “I became aware of her work supporting the YMCA in their youth engagement projects and we have talked about the potential for further developing volunteering, youth cafe, council and mentoring services as well as business and apprenticeship opportunities,” he said.
He added Cllr Brodigan’s ‘open parlour’ commitment, whereby the council will welcome community groups and individuals into Ripon Town Hall for a cup of tea and the chance to raise concerns, was a welcome move.
A by-election will be held in Ripon before the end of this year to fill the vacancy caused by last month’s resignation of Cllr Jo Bate.
It will bring the council up to its full quota of 12 councillors in the run-up to the next city council elections in May 2027.
Mr Hughes urged those serving the city over the next 18 months to pull together. He said:
Factionalism does not serve the people. We need 12 batting for us, a council of equals serving Ripon city's highest aspirations. There are plenty of community servants there feeling renewed, we have the potential for new blood and as I would see it Barbara's track record is about nurturing leadership teams, developing civic leadership and responsibility - in turn engaging all the community, giving youth a voice and ultimately handing on stability.
I have great hopes that this is becoming a council that cares, that can act in Ripon's best interests.
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