Lyra.

Local Democracy Reporter

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Repost: Vote count announced as Kirklees Council yet again fail to elect a council leader

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A private ballot is being hosted in place of a traditional vote. Councillors are returning from casting their vote now.

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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.

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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.

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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"

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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.

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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.

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As councillors return to the chamber, here are some of the highlights from the hour-and-a-half Q+A session: PT1

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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.

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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.

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Councillors are arriving to the chamber ahead of the meeting

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Martin Jones, 74, (not pictured) with Stand Up To Racism wanted to make it clear that
they are “opposed” to any racism from councillors in the chamber

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Sara Blagbrough, 41, (left) hopes the new council leader “rethinks” the proposal to privatise care homes, like the one that cared for her mother, as a “priority”

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Protestors have arrived outside of Huddersfield Town Hall ahead of today’s reconvened Annual Council Meeting

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Councillor Martyn Bolt calls for a debate regarding the Council Leader, but was refused.

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The Annual Council Meeting is underway

Mayor Allison: “(Please) respect members of the chamber from whatever party they belong to… please don’t shout across the chamber

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Reform UK councillor, Lee Cliff, has been nominated as the Deputy Mayor of Kirklees Council

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Reform UK Group Leader Louise Wood makes her first formal speech, the Deputy Mayor Nomination

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Mayor Karen Allison with her granddaughter

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The Chain of Office being fitted on new Mayor, Councillor Karen Allison