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03
Nov
Triumphant night for Ripon mayor but poll could still be held
Ripon residents gave strong backing to mayor Barbara Brodigan at a parish meeting tonight (November 3).
A two-thirds majority — 61 versus 31 — rejected the motion ‘this meeting has no confidence in Councillor Barbara Brodigan’.
But although the motion was defeated, the meeting heard that legally the poll would still proceed if just 10 Riponians called for it.
A second vote on whether to hold a poll was therefore held and attracted 13 supporters.
Because the total surpassed 10, a third vote was held on the wording of the poll. Asked to vote on whether they agreed with the wording, ‘Do you have confidence in Cllr Barbara Brodigan?’, 14 voted in favour and 54 against.
Amid widespread confusion about how to proceed, it was agreed to end the meeting so clerk Adam Chugg could seek legal and professional advice.
Mr Chugg said he had never known a parish meeting agree to continue with a poll after a motion supporting one had been defeated.
Although matters were unresolved, the night went well for Cllr Brodigan, who became mayor two months ago after previous mayor Cllr Jackie Crozier resigned.
Meg Munn, a member of Ripon Cathedral Support Group, distributed leaflets at the start of the meeting branding a poll “costly and pointless” because the outcome would not be legally binding.
Speaking afterwards, Cllr Brodigan said:
I’m really pleased with all the support I’ve got and am glad the initial motion was overcome.
Sandra Craven, who convened the meeting, said afterwards:
The parish poll is a vital vehicle for the people of Ripon to have a choice and to have a voice. The voice of the people is a powerful statement. On polling day, the public would be free to say whether they do have confidence in Cllr Brodigan or whether they do not have confidence and this democratic process and outcome would be respected.
It is unfortunate that there have been some who have tried to disrupt and bring disorder to a democratic process, by spreading misinformation through a fear-mongering campaign. There are 12,000 electors in Ripon who deserve the chance to have their say.
Despite no outcome in tonight's meeting, I am pleased that the process will go to North Yorkshire Council for additional guidance and confirmation. This is the most sensible course of action at this point.
You can catch up on what happened at last night’s meeting on the Stray Ferret’s live blog here.
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