Thank you for your interest in this story
To continue reading this article, sign up today to unlock exclusive content and be part of our community discussions
- Exclusive discounts
- Enjoy commenting on local issues
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
18
Dec 2020
Council director resigns from art festivals board over devolution conflict
Harrogate International Festivals has backed an east-west split proposed by district councils including Harrogate Borough Council. Richard Webb, North Yorkshire County Council's director of health and adult services, stood down as a trustee because of a conflict with his employer's proposal for a single authority.
Harrogate International Festivals.
The director of health and adult services for North Yorkshire has resigned his role as a trustee of Harrogate International Festivals because of a conflict over devolution.
The Festivals put its support behind the east/west model for two unitary authorities in North Yorkshire, as advocated by the seven district councils including Harrogate Borough Council.
However, Mr Webb's employer, North Yorkshire County Council, favours a single unitary authority for the county, causing him to stand down from his role as a trustee. Following his resignation, Mr Webb said:
“I resigned as a trustee of Harrogate International Festivals following a board decision to support the east/west local government re-organisation bid by district councils.
"Whilst I am personally a strong supporter of the county council's bid for unitary status, and believe it is the best way forward, the reason for my resignation from the festivals board was to ensure I avoided a conflict of interest.
“I absented myself from the board discussion on local government re-organisation, so that any conflict was avoided and I resigned once the decision had been taken. I had a series of constructive discussions with Fiona Movley, the chair of the Festivals, and we were both clear that there was no alternative course of action that I could have taken.
“Harrogate International Festivals does a great job and I wish them well for the future."
Paying tribute to Mr Webb for his long-standing commitment to the festivals, CEO Sharon Canavar said:
“Richard has resigned from the board in line with appropriate conflicts of interest policies.
“He remains a great supporter of HIF, and we are immensely grateful for his contributions whilst a trustee. There was certainly no animosity and all handled in a positive manner.”
Harrogate International Festivals' board includes an observer from Harrogate Borough Council. Its patron is HRH the Prince of Wales.
Both CEO Sharon Canavar and chairman Fiona Movley added their names and comments to the document in support of the district councils' proposals.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Webb and North Yorkshire County Council for a comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.
Read more:
- 'Momentous' single council proposal for North Yorkshire submitted
- Single council for North Yorkshire 'could cost £38 million to set up'
It is not the first time the document has caused conflict because of the names attached to it.
Other organisations to have been included North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Lisa Winward and Chief Fire Officer Andrew Brodie of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. Both were quoted as saying they supported the east/west model for two unitary authorities.
However, a joint statement from both was issued by the office of the police, fire and crime commissioner this week. It said:
"There has been disappointing and incorrect representing of our positions – and it is therefore only right and fair that we have the opportunity to clearly set out our position.
"We lead two of the emergency services which operate across North Yorkshire and the city of York – and work best when we work together across that area. The strength of this approach has been demonstrated throughout this year in our collaborative response to the coronavirus pandemic.
"The ultimate decision about which model we may operate under in the future is not for us to take – this is a political decision. Our ongoing priority, whatever the outcome of the current debate, is to continue keeping the residents, businesses and visitors in North Yorkshire and York safe.
0