RYEDALE District Council will appoint a new temporary deputy chief executive - but elected members will be part of the appointment process, it has been decided.

It had been proposed to the council that responsibility of the appointment could be delegated to the chief executive, in order to speed the process up and ensure the person is in place before the council election period begins in spring next year.

Cllr Luke Ives, recommending the motion, said the power of appointment wouldn’t remain with the chief executive beyond this one-off occasion. “This decision would be a delegation of responsibility for a temporary basis,” he said.

Cllr Steve Arnold added: “It’s a temporary basis to help our chief executive get through difficult times.”

But at a meeting of full council on Thursday night, councillors narrowly voted against the recommendation 14 votes to 12 with one abstention.

Cllr Linda Cowling said: “I fail to see how the proposed process here is going to be any quicker than doing it properly and constitutionally. Members need to step up to the plate and carry out their responsibilities.”

Cllr Keane Duncan agreed, saying: “I’m sure the committee is able to do that in a timely manner.”