PT 2: and that is what we do."
He also made reference to Nigel Farage regarding his amendment to a motion previously submitted by Cllr Wood. He argued that standing down every year for re-election was “no different” than the principle being applied in Clacton-On-Sea.
PT 1: Speaking in the chamber, Cllr Cooper said: "Electing a leader of this council is not a trivial thing, and that is why we are here today." We firmly "believe [that] democratic [accountability] is [strengthened] when [representing] a greater number of the electorate...
Councillors are beginning to arrive to Huddersfield Town Hall, in a third attempt to select a Council Leader
A private ballot is being hosted in place of a traditional vote. Councillors are returning from casting their vote now.
A question was posed about whether there had been any progress on the deadlock. Coun Wood said that there had been “fragmentation”, insisting there had been “name-calling” during the mayoral making ceremony, which was denied by Coun Bolt.
Coun Bramwell “apologised for her outburst”, stating that she “should have set a precedent.” She then asked both candidates how issues in North Kirklees could be tackled.
When asked by Councillor Sheard how the candidates could offer “confidence and stability”, Coun Wood attempted to raise a “point of order” after she viewed the question as repetitive. Coun Cooper answered that his record “spoke for itself"
Coun Wood clarified that she “didn’t need to know everything in council” because there were 68 other councillors to collaboratively offer support. Coun Cooper spoke about the length of his tenure, noting that his first election was in 1999.
When Coun Greaves asked about key issues regarding the fair funding settlement, Coun Wood said she “didn’t know” what a fair funding settlement was. In rebuttal, Coun Cooper said that “fair funding” was “important and helpful” but not the “full answer” to every question.
As councillors return to the chamber, here are some of the highlights from the hour-and-a-half Q+A session: PT1
A Q+A session is underway. The session is to be a "short, focused" session with both Councillor Cooper and Councillor Wood each taking three minutes to answer.
Mayor Allison has warned that speaking in chambers is not an "opportunity to make comment on any wider matters" other than the question being posed.
