At its meeting on Saturday, 5 May 2012, the Conservative Group elected Cllr Anthony Alton as its new Leader and Cllr Alan Skidmore as Deputy Leader of the group. The names of both councillors will be submitted by the Group to be elected Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council at the Annual Council Meeting on 21 May 2012.
Under legislation enacted in 2007, Leaders are elected for a four year term. Cllr Mackenzie was elected Council Leader for a four-year term at the Annual Meeting of Council last year.
However, the rules of the Harrogate Conservative Group requires the Leader to resign in the event that a new group Leader is elected within that four year term. Cllr Mackenzie has advised his intention to resign in accordance with the rules of his group which is likely to be at the Annual Meeting, so as to minimise the period when there is no Council Leader. The current Cabinet will also continue under the Council’s Constitution until such time as the Council Leader resigns.
There is a further meeting of the Conservative Group on the evening of 9 May at which Cabinet and Committee Chair positions will be determined.
