A by-election result will bring “stability and calm” back to Ripon City Council, the leader of the winning candidate’s political group has claimed.
Sherrie Hunt was elected to the authority after receiving 500 votes in last week’s poll for the Ure Bank ward.
She beat Liberal Democrat candidate Tom Cavell-Taylor who got 396 votes and Reform’s Paula Pearse, who received 168.
The by-election was held following the resignation of Jo Bate amid an ongoing fallout among councillors following the resignation of three members of council staff.
Cllr Hunt’s victory means the Independent Putting Ripon Before Party has the majority on the council over a group led by Ripon Mayor, Councillor Barbara Brodigan, a Liberal Democrat.
Cllr Williams, leader of the Independent Putting Ripon Before Party, said he was delighted that voters backed his group’s candidate.
He added:
“She will make an excellent councillor, grounded in the local community.
“Collectively, Ripon’s independent councillors will now work to bring stability and calm back to Ripon City Council after weeks of chaos unleashed by the Liberal Democrats, who were roundly rejected by residents last week.”
Cllr Brodigan said she was disappointed that her group lost the by-election.
In response to Cllr Williams’ claim that the result would bring stability and calm back to the authority, she said: “That’s exactly what we were trying to do, having not caused the turbulence in the first place.”
She added:
“We will continue to work with other councillors on the Ripon City Council, who like ourselves feel the need for more calm and a recognition of democracy, which is not happening at the moment.”
The by-election was held amid uncertainty on whether Councillor Sid Hawke will remain a councillor on the authority after he prepared a resignation letter — then decided to stay with the council and switch allegiances to Cllr Williams’ group.
Legal advice taken by the council said the original resignation letter would still stand and Cllr Hawke should resign, but the council voted not to take this advice.
Cllr Brodigan said she had asked the clerk to seek further legal advice on the council’s position.
The situation is further complicated by a parish poll taking place tomorrow (THURSDAY), which asks Ripon electors if they have confidence in Cllr Brodigan.
The poll will take place after 13 residents asked for the vote at a parish meeting, despite the majority of those at the meeting backing the current mayor.
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