The mayor of Ripon says she will not resign despite a claim her position has become “untenable” following the outcome of a parish poll.
Of the 592 people who took part in Thursday’s poll, 317 voted ‘no’ and 271 voted ‘yes’ to the question ‘do you have confidence in Councillor Barbara Brodigan?’
A total of 12,696 electors were eligible to vote, meaning the turnout was just 4.66 per cent.
The poll took place amid ongoing upheaval at Ripon City Council following the departure of three members of staff.
Cllr Brodigan became mayor after the previous mayor, Councillor Jackie Crozier, resigned.
Proposer of the poll, Ripon resident, Brian McHugh said the outcome “clearly reflects the strong public outrage in her behaviour, which has now caused three months of chaos in Ripon”.
He added:
“Firstly, my thanks go to all those who voted and made the effort to participate in local democracy, as well as North Yorkshire’s election team.
“12,000 people have now had the opportunity to have their say on the leadership of Ripon City Council and the people have voiced their strong objection and lack of confidence in the Liberal Democrat Councillor Brodigan, so we hope that she will listen and respect what the city has said and stand aside.
“It is historic that a sitting Ripon mayor has received this vote of no confidence from the public and it surely makes her role untenable. She really is a lame duck mayor now.”
But Cllr Brodigan told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she would not be resigning and branded the poll a “total and utter waste of money”.
She added:
“The result only actually represents 2.5 per cent of the population, that’s all. That puts the whole thing into perspective.
“The returning officer said the cost would be between £5,000 and £6,000 for trying to find out that 2.5 per cent of the population have no confidence in me.”
Cllr Brodigan said she expected the result of the poll to be on the agenda of the next Ripon City Council meeting on December 8.
She added:
“Under normal circumstances, a parish poll is about local issues, but this has been a personal issue so it would be quite surprising if it is on the agenda.
“But I’ve no doubt it will be, because there will be certain counsellors who will like to discuss it. But, as it is not legally binding, I think that will also be a waste of time.”
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