Kirkbymoorside mayor, Coun Joe Coughlan, resigns over plans for new headquarters (From Gazette & Herald)

Kirkbymoorside mayor, Coun Joe Coughlan, resigns over plans for new headquarters

10:55am Wednesday 28th July 2010

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Kirkbymoorside has been stunned by the resignation of its town mayor, Coun Joe Coughlan, who has quit in protest at the council’s decision to make its new headquarters in the former county library.

Coun Coughlan said later he could not support the spending of £175,000 on converting the historic building in Church Street, which is owned by the town authority.

“I don’t believe the decision, however well-intentioned, is in the best interests of the public in the present climate of spending cuts.”

He added: “It is a charming building but any scheme to convert it will be a challenge.”

His move follows a public protest at the town council’s meeting in June, when residents said the council could use the Dug Out, a room in the basement of the Memorial Hall for its administration and meetings.

Coun Coughlan, a member of the town council for just over four years, and who was re-elected as mayor in May, believed the council’s town clerk, Victoria Ellis, and her assistant, could be accommodated in a currently empty office in the former community office in Shambles, Kirkbymoorside.

“It sends out the wrong signal for the town council to spend so much money, and to precept the taxpayers in Kirkbymoorside for the next 20 years,” he said.

“Kirkbymoorside is a wonderful community, and I step down from the council without any ill-feeling,” said Coun Coughlan, who is still a member of the influential town team.

“I am keen to help the community, but there are times when you have to stand up on an issue.”

It was after a lengthy debate at the town council meeting last week that councillors decided by six votes to two to seek loan sanction for £175,000 to carry out the scheme to convert the library to new council offices and a meeting room.

Having made the decision, they decided not to negotiate with Ryedale House for a lease on the community office.

Coun Gaynor de Barr, the deputy mayor, who will now chair the town council, said she was “shocked and taken aback” by Coun Coughlan’s resignation.

“He has made a very significant contribution to the council and the town itself and I am very sorry he has taken this action, although I fully appreciate his views,” she said.

Coun de Barr added that converting the former library into council offices made good sense. The present accommodation, she believed, did not meet adequate standards and the new premises would make economic sense because the council would not have to rent premises as it owned the old library.

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