CITY of York councillors will decide at next week's full council meeting whether the new resident judge at York Crown Court will also have a civic appointment.

The last resident judge, Judge Paul Hoffman, now retired, and the current resident judge, Judge Stephen Ashurst, have both held the post of Honorary Recorder of York.

Judge Ashurst steps down on October 31, after eight years in both judicial and civic posts and will be succeeded by Judge Paul Batty, currently resident judge of Carlisle Crown Court.

Councillors will be asked to approve Judge Batty's appointment as Honorary Recorder of York from when he takes up his judicial post on November 1.

Resident judges' appointments are initially for four years and can be extended once by a further four years. They are in charge of judicial business at their court centre.

Judge Ashurst will continue to sit on the North-East Circuit.