Mayor's right to vote disputed

1:49pm Thursday 10th July 2008

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A town mayor may be restricted on voting on local council matters.

Silsden parish council decided at its latest meeting to recommend that a standing order be made stating that the civic leader should only vote when an issue was tied in votes. The proposal was put forward by a former mayor, Coun Lawrence Walton.

Council clerk Lesley Corcoran pointed out that by law the mayor had two votes – a general one and a casting vote in a tie.

Coun Walton said: “In the past 20 years it has happened in this council where the mayor has used their two votes to swing a decision in their favour. When I sat in that chair I only used my vote when it was a tie.”

But current mayor Coun Liz Trainor opposed the motion, saying: “While I hear what you are saying, I do not think the chair should have to give up their vote. If I was to give up my vote it means I will not be representing the people who come to me with an issue. You are taking away the chair’s vote to represent the people.”