Local democracy is facing an unprecedented challenge as parish, district and county councils find ways to work and continue decision-making when they cannot meet in person.

The business of councils is being completed through powers delegated to officers or in online meetings – including this week’s cabinet meeting at Harrogate Borough Council.

The ceremonial roles of mayors and their deputies are usually handed over at annual meetings in May. The traditional ceremonies are not currently possible, but some new mayors are still taking up the reins across the Harrogate district.

Boroughbridge and Pateley Bridge both have new mayors after completing their official declarations remotely.

The incoming Boroughbridge mayor Coun Pat Taylor was sworn in from May 1st, taking over after Coun Geoff Haldenby concluded his two-year term of office. Town clerk John Nichols said:

“We have gone through the protocols and it has been done in accordance with our regulations. We just couldn’t get people together for our mayor-making ceremony. We may hold a retrospective event when we can.”

In Pateley Bridge, a Zoom meeting saw Coun Mike Holt complete his declarations online, with the official documents to be signed when social distancing measures allow. He takes over from Coun Chris Skaife and, although the council does not hold a ceremony, the usual service and civic reception could still take place later in the year.

Coun Eamon Parkin will remain Mayor of Ripon until the city council can meet again

In Ripon and Knaresborough, the current mayor will stay in post for now. Ripon City Council’s current mayor, Coun Eamon Parkin, will continue in his role until the council can meet to make a decision about how to proceed with a new mayor. City clerk Paula Benson said:

“The nature of the mayor’s role will change because there are no mayoral functions to attend. While he carries out a civic role, he is also the chairman of the council in law.

“The requirement to hold an annual meeting has been relaxed, so the current office holder can carry on. The council needs a chairman, so we’re following that piece of legislation, passed last month.”

Mrs Benson is carrying out routine work, such as giving responses to planning applications in line with Ripon City Plan, which has been adopted as its policy. However, decisions about future activities such as choosing a contractor to supply Christmas lights have been put on hold until meetings resume.

She said that, should socially-distanced meetings be resumed in the coming months, the council will have to consider how this might be done in a way that will still allow the public to attend safely.

‘It wouldn’t be fair’

In Knaresborough, Coun Christine Willoughby is expecting to continue her mayoral role for now and potentially for the full year, subject to a final decision by the town council.

“We aren’t able to hold an annual meeting and do a change-over. If we did it in a few months’ time, it wouldn’t be fair on the new mayor to do a short year.”

Coun Willoughby said the business of the council is carrying on, including negotiating a new Christmas lights contract and agreeing a grant for FEVA. The latter will support street entertainment in August, if social distancing guidance at the time allows.

Harrogate Borough Council, meanwhile, says it has not yet made a decision on how to proceed, with its planned mayor-making ceremony due to have taken place on May 18th. Coun Stuart Martin, who has held the role of mayor for the last year, said he expects a decision to be made next week after any change in government guidance over the weekend.

North Yorkshire County Council’s AGM has been postponed. The chairman, Coun Jim Clark of Harrogate Harlow division, and vice chairman Robert Heseltine of Skipton East, will continue in their roles until the meeting can be held either virtually or in person.

Leaders from across the Harrogate district have sent their best wishes and prayers to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is in intensive care.

Medical staff at St Thomas’ Hospital in London took the decision to move Mr Johnson on Monday after his coronavirus symptoms worsened.

Harrogate mayor Stuart Martin told the Stray Ferret:

“I would like to send Boris Johnson best wishes for a speedy recovery from myself and on behalf of my wife April who has been in Harrogate hospital with coronavirus. We need Boris’ leadership right now.”

Ripon mayor Eamon Parkin said:

“If I could send Boris Johnson a message directly I would tell him that his country needs him back. I have just found out this morning that a close friend has lost their life to coronavirus. It really can affect everyone.”

Pateley Bridge mayor Chris Skaife added:

“We would like to send our best wishes to the Prime Minister and to his wife. This virus has had a massive impact on everyone’s lives. I would like to take this opportunity to ask everyone to listen to the advice to stay at home to save lives.”

Boroughbridge mayor Geoff Haldenby said:

“I would very much like for Boris to get better to return to his family and to his job. I think that he is the only person in this country that can lead us right now. He very much resembles Winston Churchill and this is another war that we are going through.”

Both Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, and Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, have tweeted their support for the Prime Minister.

All thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery for @BorisJohnson & to his medical team. @GSTTnhs is a very special place with the best possible care

— Julian Smith MP (@JulianSmithUK) April 6, 2020

Shocking news about the Prime Minister. I wish him, and all those suffering symptoms of COVID-19, a swift and full recovery. Please #stayathome, protect the NHS and save lives.

— Andrew Jones MP (@AJonesMP) April 7, 2020