MEMBERS of Ryedale District Council paid tribute to outgoing chief executive Janet Waggott at her last council meeting at the authority on Thursday.

The members also voted - 12 votes to 10, with two abstentions - in favour of current deputy chief executive Clare Slater being appointed as the interim chief executive and head of paid service for “up to six months”.

The meeting saw much of the discussions happen in private due to the proceedings “containing information relating to an individual”.

Cllr William Oxley, chairman of the council, said: “Tonight is the chief executive’s last full council meeting.

“I think, given that, it would be remiss of me as chairman not to record, on behalf of this council, our thanks to the chief executive for her efforts and commitments over the years that she has been here.”

Cllr John Raper added: “I would like to express my thanks to the outgoing chief executive for the support and help she gave me while I was sat in your position, chair.

“And for the help and assistance she’s given me over the time that I’ve known her on this council.

“She’s been a stalwart to me, she’s been a stalwart to lots of other people as well.

“I think she’s done an incredible job and I’d just like to say thank you.”

This was seconded by Cllr Cowling, and councillors then gave Ms Waggott a round of applause.

The process by which the interim chief executive arrangements have been decided upon by the senior management working party received criticism from some councillors.

Cllr Geoffrey Acomb said: “I am very very annoyed at the way this has gone.

“This should have been started, cleared months ago - not now, at the last minute.”

Cllr Luke Ives said: “I share Cllr Acomb’s frustrations, but unfortunately what we have now got is a hung council and that proportionality is reflected in the working party where there is no overall control.

“I think it can be frustrating for everyone.

“What has also been difficult is that we had to get the interim arrangement out of the way first. We have now got on with the full recruitment process.”

Ending the meeting, chairman William Oxley, talking about his chains of office, said: “I am sick of going places with this round my neck, and hearing people describe Ryedale District Council as a basket case.

“Hopefully from tonight we move on and we put it right.”