COUNCILLOR Simon Myers, has been unanimously voted the last ever chairman of Craven District Council- describing it as a ‘bitter-sweet’ moment.

Cllr Myers, said it was a ‘great honour’ to be Craven’s first citizen in the final year of the council before it is replaced with the new unitary North Yorkshire Council in April 2023.

He said he would do his best for all residents, describing himself as their servant, and added he was sure all councillors faced the last year of Craven Council with mixed emotions.

The council, he said, had remained solvent and aspirational through some ‘turbulent times’ and that there were plans to set up legacy projects so that the council could be remembered after it ceased to exist.

He said: “It is a bitter sweet moment becoming the last chairman of Craven District Council. We are all fond of this council, and I think we have managed to keep the council working solvent and aspirational on behalf of our residents through some very turbulent times.”

Cllr Myers, who owns an antiques business and is a former criminal barrister, practising in Bradford and Leeds, said: “I look forward to my year in office. I think particularly this year when there are so many poignant things happening – the war on Ukraine, the war against democracy by a dictator trying to suppress people’s freedom. And then the very clear reminder of an exemplary life of service that will be marked by the celebrations of the Queen’s Jubilee . Local democracy is a very ancient guardian of our freedoms in this country and should never be undervalued.”

At the last annual meeting of the district council, he paid tribute to officers and staff, in particular during the coronavirus pandemic, and praised his fellow councillors saying their devotion to their communities was not always appreciated.

And he criticised those who sat on the sidelines, the ‘keyboard warriors’ who claimed councillors were ‘all in it for themselves’.

“To those who sit on the sidelines, the keyboard warriors, the correspondents who email the local press who say councillors are ‘all in it for themselves’, well I say they are not; and to those who say that our officers and staff are useless, I say they are not.

“These people would do better to become engaged in public life rather than sitting on the boundaries simply throwing stones at those who give their time and serve their communities.”

This year would be about the communities of Craven, he said; it would be the last chance for the council, in its final year, to pay tribute to ‘all the good people of Craven who have done so much for others’.

To that end, a report would be coming to the Policy Committee proposing the setting up of a legacy committee.

He told councillors: “This will consider way in which we can honour those who have contributed so much and helped support our residents in the various organisations that flourish in Craven.

“It’s a very mixed emotion for all of us to face the last year of this council. I will do my best for you and the residents of Craven. I am your servant, and if I can assist in anything, just ask, I am very happy to help.”

Cllr Myers, ward member for Gargrave and Malhamdale, who took over the civic role from Cllr Alan Sutcliffe, his fellow ward councillor, will be accompanied on his civic duties by his consort, his sister, Alison Beesley.

Their first civic duty was attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace, the day after Cllr Myers was elected chairman.

Vice chairman of the council in its final year was also unanimously elected - Labour’s Chris Rose, who represents Skipton West.

Cllr Myers said: “I am delighted that Chris Rose has agreed to be vice chairman of the council. I cannot think of anything more fitting for this council. We have always worked well together and to have a Conservative chairman and a Labour vice chairman is fitting and I am absolutely delighted. “

His chosen charity for the next 11 months is the Two Ridings Community Foundation – an independent charity that helps ordinary people do extraordinary things that make communities stronger, improving the lives of all who live there.

Cllr Myers was last month elected onto the executive of North Yorkshire County County, responsible for growth, culture, leisure, sport and housing.

He will also have a pivotal role in shaping the new North Yorkshire Council.