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07
Jun
‘This is something we do on a regular basis’: Council leader on Keane Duncan resignation
The leader of North Yorkshire Council has spoken out following Cllr Keane Duncan's executive resignation.
The Stray Ferret exclusively revealed on Friday (June 5) that Cllr Duncan had stepped down from his role as executive member for highways and transport at the Conservative-led authority.
As transport chief, the councillor – nicknamed ‘Captain Pothole' – was responsible for overseeing the multi-million-pound Kex Gill realignment project and the £12.6 million Harrogate Station Gateway scheme.
But, in a letter seen by the Stray Ferret, Cllr Duncan confirmed he was standing down following a request from Cllr Carl Les, who appointed him to his 10-person executive in 2022.
He wrote the group would need to harness the talent of all its members to confront challenges, including the growing electoral threat from Reform, but declined to comment further.
Cllr Les told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it was normal practice for executive members to be asked to stand aside so others could serve, and denied Cllr Duncan had been sacked.
Cllr Duncan's letter said he had been told the request to stand aside was not performance-related, even though it comes just weeks after the cost of the A59 Kex Gill road realignment rose by £13.7 million.
He added he had remained committed to the unity and stability of the group, which had been their leading priority.
The contents of the letter also hint that Cllr Duncan, 30, could position himself as the person to lead the party at the next council elections in 2027, when Cllr Les will be 78.
Cllr Duncan wrote:
You explained during our conversation that your purpose was to prepare for the future and to make way for new blood.
I agree that as we approach the election, the next generation will be key to our party’s renewal. I continue to believe that our greatest strength lies in the wealth of talent and experience we possess across our benches. To meet the challenges ahead, we must be a party that harnesses the energy of all our members. This will be vital as we confront the threat posed by Reform.
To win in 2027, we must be a dynamic and forward-looking party that inspires the trust of the electorate
Cllr Les told the Local Democracy Reporting Serving he would confirm Cllr Duncan’s replacement in due course, but he currently has someone in mind.
When asked if he was concerned about the political impact of the move, Cllr Les said it has been done to allow other members of the group to develop.
He added:
I’ve had conversations with Cllr Duncan about this for the past week or so, I thought it was time for a change.
This is something that we do on a regular, almost annual basis - a year ago I asked two people to stand down so two other councillors could take their place.
If someone wants to develop and serve the council on the executive then someone else has to give up their position for them.
Cllr Duncan, who will continue to serve as the Conservative councillor for Norton, said in his resignation letter that keeping the now-£82.5 million Kex Gill project on track and ensuring it will be ready to reopen in spring 2026 was one of his leading achievements.
He added he had also worked to protect at-risk bus routes and had drawn up proposals to extend free parking to every town in North Yorkshire.
Cllr Duncan also ran as the Conservative candidate for York and North Yorkshire’s inaugural mayoral election last year but was defeated by Labour’s David Skaith.
The Stray Ferret understands Cllr Duncan is one of two executive members being removed as part of a mid-term shake-up by Cllr Les.
The political make-up of North Yorkshire Council, which has 90 members, remains unchanged following the move.
The council is governed by a joint Conservative and Independent administration which holds 47 seats at Northallerton’s County Hall.
An opposition Independent group and the Liberal Democrats hold 13 seats each, while Labour holds 10 and the Greens four.
Reform has one seat and another councillor sits as a Liberal, with Eastfield division’s seat currently vacant.
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