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01
Mar 2024
Ripon councillors withdraw support for referendum on cathedral annexe
The future of a proposed public referendum on Ripon’s £8m annexe has been thrown into doubt after two councillors withdrew their support today.
The referendum, officially called a parish poll, has been proposed by Kirkgate resident Stanley Mackintosh.
It wouldn’t be legally binding but would include around 12 yes or no questions on topics including the felling of trees, open space and impact on businesses.
Earlier this week, Mr Mackintosh had the support of two councillors, Eamon Parkin and Chris Hardisty, which was required to hold a parish meeting that could eventually approve the referendum.
He then posted an online notice with a date and venue for the meeting.
However, the notice included the logo of Ripon City Council which council leader Andrew Williams said falsely implied it was issued by the council and amounted to an “act of fraud”. The notice also said only residents of Ripon could attend, which was incorrect.
Following the notice being posted, the two councillors withdrew their backing.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Williams said:
In response, Mr Mackintosh said the notice was a “misunderstanding” and he took it down as soon as he was asked to by a council clerk.
Cllr Williams, whose division on North Yorkshire Council includes the cathedral, strongly criticised the referendum proposals, calling it a “circus” and saying it is “making the city look like a joke”.
He said the poll would cost Ripon City Council between £10,000 and £12,000, representing a “waste of money” that would achieve “nothing constructive”.
He added:
Mr Mackintosh is now lacking the two councillors needed to bring forward the parish meeting.
However, he can still call one with the support of six Ripon residents who are on the electoral roll, meaning it is still likely to take place.
For the referendum to go ahead, Mr Mackintosh would then require support from just 10 residents at the meeting.
But there are now questions over whether the referendum may worsen an already toxic debate within the city surrounding the annexe proposals.
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Ripon resident Jenni Holman, who launched a 2,000-strong petition to save 11 trees that would be chopped down under the cathedral’s plans, says she does not support the poll.
She told the LDRS:
Mr Mackintosh told the LDRS that he hoped the referendum would still take place but the process may now be delayed.
He was skeptical over the claim that the poll would cost £10,000. Mr Mackintosh added:
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