Councillors withdraw support for Ripon Cathedral annexe poll

The referendum, officially called a parish poll, has been proposed by Kirkgate resident Stanley Mackintosh.

It wouldn’t be legally binding but would include about 12 yes or no questions on topics including the felling of trees, open space and impact on businesses.

Earlier this week, Mr Mackintosh had the support of two councillors, Eamon Parkin and Chris Hardisty, which was required to hold a parish meeting that could eventually approve the referendum.

Cllr Eamon Parkin

He then posted an online notice with a date and venue for the meeting.

However, the notice included the logo of Ripon City Council which council leader Andrew Williams said falsely implies that it was issued by the council and amounts to an “act of fraud”.

The notice also said only residents of Ripon could attend, which was incorrect.

Following the notice being posted, the two councillors withdrew their backing.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Williams said: “The public has to have faith that documents with the council’s logo are legitimate.”

In response, Mr Mackintosh said the notice was a “misunderstanding” and he took it down as soon as he was asked to by a council clerk.

Cllr Chris Hardisty

Cllr Williams, whose division on North Yorkshire Council includes the cathedral, strongly criticised the referendum proposals calling it a “circus” and saying it is “making the city look like a joke”.

He said the poll would cost Ripon City Council between £10,000 and £12,000 representing a “waste of money” that would achieve “nothing constructive”.

Mr Mackintosh is now lacking the two councillors needed to bring forward the parish meeting.

However, he can still call one with the support of six Ripon residents who are on the electoral roll, meaning it is still likely to take place.

For the referendum to go ahead, Mr Mackintosh would then require support from just ten residents at the meeting.

But there are now questions over whether the referendum may worsen an already toxic debate within the city surrounding the annexe proposals.

Ripon resident Jenni Hollman, who launched a 2000-strong petition to save 11 trees that would be chopped down under the Cathedral’s plans, says she does not support the poll.

She told the LDRS: “I don’t know if it will be useful.  The poll is not binding and could cause further rift within the community. I think the application is best left for the planning committee to consider in due course.”

Mr Mackintosh told the LDRS that he hopes the referendum will still take place but the process may now be delayed.

He was sceptical over the claim that the poll would cost £10,000. Mr Mackintosh added: “People have got a bit sensitive now looking for an error. I immediately removed my notice of the poll and this morning I put up an amended version without any logo that also says it’s not limited to Ripon electors.

“Cllr Williams had the same complaints about the last parish poll I proposed in 2001 but it gives the people of Ripon a chance to have their say about the annexe in a secret ballot”.