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23
Sept
Interview: Ripon ‘badly let down’ by previous city council leadership, new mayor claims
New mayor Barbara Brodigan pledged “the most open and accessible council that Ripon has ever seen” after being elected last night (September 22).
Councillor Brodigan spoke to the Stray Ferret after an acrimonious and at times ugly extraordinary meeting of Ripon City Council convened to elect a successor to Cllr Jackie Crozier, who resigned as mayor a week ago.
You can read about the meeting here.
Cllr Brodigan, who will be mayor until May 2026, said:
The city and the council has been badly let down by the previous leadership and so moving forwards, we want to make this the most open and accessible council that Ripon has ever seen.
We are already planning meetings to engage with different residents and community groups. By directly talking with residents, face-to-face, we can identify concerns and work together to find solutions. Regular talking shops will be held between councillors and residents.
Cllr Brodigan at last night's meeting.
Cllr Brodigan, a Liberal Democrat who represents Spa ward on the city council and Ripon Ure Bank and Spa on North Yorkshire Council, was elected 6-2 by fellow councillors. Former city council leader Cllr Andrew Williams opposed her nomination.
Cllr Williams told the meeting that Cllr Crozier, who resigned when facing a vote of no-confidence, had been the victim of a witch hunt.
He also questioned the legality of electing a successor because he claimed no official letter of resignation had been received.
Asked if she could work with Cllr Williams, Cllr Brodigan replied: “As a councillor, I will have to. Simple as that. Can he work with me? I hope so.”
Last night's meeting
'Very damaging'
Cllr Brodigan previously said the no-confidence vote and the removal of the leader and deputy leader positions were prompted by the departure of three members of city council staff and their interactions with the council’s staffing committee, which includes Cllrs Williams, Horton and Crozier.
But details of the claims have not been released, prompting allegations that Cllr Brodigan and her supporters have not adequately explained why they moved against Cllr Crozier. She replied: “I know people are saying that we are trying to hide information, but we are not.”
Asked if further details will be released, she said: “Some may and some may not be because under GDPR and employment law there are things that will always be kept confidential but in the near future we are going to reveal what some of those things are.”
She admitted the last couple of weeks had been “very damaging”, adding:
It has split people into two divisions and indeed the council itself. It’s going to take time.
We are very aware that some people feel they have not been listened to, that decisions have been made behind closed doors and that we are not an open and transparent council, so we know we have to heal wounds and we have to build that trust.
My first priority as mayor will be to kickstart consultations and discussions with residents to show we are open for business and that we are here to support them.
With such deep divisions, and just eight months to serve as mayor, it won’t be an easy task.
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