New council chairman elected

11:11am Friday 16th May 2008

RYEDALE District Council has a male chairman after three successive women being in the position.

Coun John Raper (Conservative), a bus driver, of Foxholes, was elected as the district's first citizen and the 35th in its history yesterday.

The new vice-chairman is Coun Di Keal, a Liberal Democrat member for Norton, who has played a key part in the town's Riverside Project and the restoration of the historic Roman Orchard Fields and Castle Gardens area.

However, while their elections were unanimous, the council spent nearly three hours deciding chairmanships and membership of committees.

Coun Elizabeth Shields (Lib Dem) fought off a bid by Coun Natalie Warriner (Ind) to replace her as chairman of the influential overview and scrutiny committee.

Coun Robert Wainwright (Ind) was re-elected unopposed as chairman of the policy and resources committee, Coun Linda Cowling (Con) remains chairman of the community services and licensing committee and Coun Brian Cottam (Ind) is chairman of the planning committee.

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