For centuries, Ripon’s mayor-making ceremony has been a genteel affair where dignitaries including the Dean of Ripon and members of the armed forces observe tradition to usher in the next 12 months of the civic role.

But it descended into chaos yesterday after four councillors refused to back the nominated mayor, Sid Hawke, when it was claimed the usual rules had been ripped up during the nomination process.

Each year, a city councillor takes up the mayoral position and attends events on behalf of the city.

This year, both Eamon Parkin and Sid Hawke put themselves forward for the role which is decided by their fellow councillors.

Cllr Hawke, who has been the mayor for the last two years, was announced as the mayor elect in March. Councillors wearing ceremonial robes met at Ripon’s Town Hall last night for the ceremony.

But Cllr Barbara Brodigan, who represents Spa ward, addressed councillors to say she would not be supporting Cllr Hawke due to the rules being changed. She said councillors had now been asked to choose their preferred candidate via email to a council clerk rather than in person.

Cllr Brodigan said a vote by email is “not transparent and is not a secret voting process.”
She was backed by Cllr Pauline McHardy (Minster ward) who said the new process for nominating the mayor was “flawed”.

Cllr McHardy said:

Their complaints were rejected by deputy leader of the council Cllr Peter Horton who chaired the meeting.

He said the process was still confidential because nobody knew each other’s email. He added:

Casting vote

Cllr Brodigan told the Local Democracy Reporting Service this morning that councillors were unhappy with the new rules and “our voices need to be heard”

She said:

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