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05
Mar 2024
Ripon councillors unite against cathedral referendum
Councillors in Ripon voiced their anger at a proposed public referendum on the cathedral’s £8 million annexe last night with council leader Andrew Williams describing it as a “circus” that will deepen divisions.
But a parish meeting will take place on March 18 at Holy Trinity Church after it was confirmed that the man behind the referendum, Stanley Mackintosh, has the signatures of the six Ripon residents on the electoral roll needed for the meeting to happen.
If at the meeting just 10 electors vote in favour of the referendum, also called a parish poll, it would then take place, likely in April. It wouldn’t be legally binding but would include around 12 yes or no questions on topics including the felling of trees, open space and impact on businesses.
At a full meeting of Ripon City Council last night at the town hall, councillors voted unanimously to denounce the referendum in a motion that described it as a “waste of money”. It came after Mr Mackintosh lost the support of two councillors, Eamon Parkin and Chris Hardisty, on Friday.
However, even without the backing of the councillors, Ripon City Council would still be required to bear the cost of the vote, which has been estimated at £10,000.
Cllr Williams said he had received angry emails from residents who incorrectly believed it was the council proposing the referendum.
He said:
Cllr Barbara Brodigan said the money for the poll would be better spent elsewhere, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis for residents.
She said:
Lifelong Ripon resident Cllr Pauline McHardy said the debate around the annexe proposals was “hurtful and not necessary”. She said:
The parish meeting which will discuss the referendum proposals will take place at Holy Trinity Church on March 18 at 6pm. Anyone is entitled to attend but only residents of the Ripon parish on the electoral roll will be entitled to vote at the meeting.
Mr Mackintosh told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that questions for the poll will be finalised within the next week. He said the £10,000 estimated cost is “baseless and disingenuous” as he believes the bulk of the money would be spent on time worked by council officers who are already on a salary.
He added:
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