Council gridlock 'part of politics', says mayor

3 hours ago

Lyra AuldLocal Democracy Reporting Service

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said she was hopeful a resolution would be found soon

BBC Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin dressed in a white blouse against a blue background. — Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said she was hopeful a resolution would be found soon

A council's absence from its first combined authority meeting due to a leadership gridlock is "part and parcel" of politics, the region's mayor has said.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) – headed by Mayor Tracy Brabin – held its first meeting of the year in Leeds on Thursday but Kirklees Council did not attend because it remains without a leader two months after the local elections.

Representatives from Leeds City Council, Bradford Council, Calderdale Council, Wakefield Council and City of York Council were all in attendance.

Addressing council leaders during the meeting, Brabin said she was "hopeful" Kirklees Council would come to a decision soon.

She said: "We've heard about the reasons why Kirkles isn't represented around the table today.

"I am really hopeful that colleagues in Kirklees will be able to find a solution to this when they meet again in the coming weeks."

Reform UK became the largest party on Kirklees Council in the local elections

A council chamber with dozens of people stood up behind oval shaped wooden desks. — Reform UK became the largest party on Kirklees Council in the local elections

The local authority is without a leader after a series of failed votes.

Reform UK is the largest party there following the 7 May elections, with 29 out of the 69 seats, but falls short of a majority.

The Greens have 12, Independents 11, Conservatives nine, Liberal Democrats five and Valley Independent Group three.

At a recent meeting, Reform group leader Councillor Sarah Wood and Green Party head Councillor Andrew Cooper nominated themselves for the next council leader role.

However neither was able to secure a majority after two votes, and the chamber descended into debate.

During Thursday's meeting Brabin said: "I know we're all keen to continue working on a cross-party basis for the good of our region, and it's something I hope, you know, I've done consistently since I've been mayor.

"Of course, there will be times that we do disagree, but it's part and parcel of politics."

She added: "We've all been elected by the people of the region to deliver improvements."

Kirklees Council is set to reconvene for a third time on 15 July to select a leader, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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