THE appointment of Ulverston’s new mayor has caused uproar in the chambers of the town council.

As Sharon Webster stepped down from the role, traditionally the deputy mayor would be the next person to wear the chains.

But a vote by town councillors saw Labour councillor Bob Brown take over instead of Conservative Cllr Amanda Rigg, who had served as deputy for two years.

Cllr Rigg said she was disappointed and raised concern it may create tension in the council which she believes works well cross-party.

Labour leader Mark Wilson said the party wanted to ensure a smooth transition coming out of Covid.

Cllr Rigg said it had been ‘snatched away.

“It is disappointing because I have served as a councillor for 13 years and I have worked hard in this position as all the councillors have,” she said.

“It is disappointing to have something promised that was snatched away - it just seems so unfair.

“This causes a bit of friction in the council now. We do get on behind the scenes and work together.

“I think this just cuts down that barrier.”

Cllr Wilson said it ‘came down to numbers’ and the fact that there are more Labour councillors than there are Conservative.

He said ensuring a smooth transition was the priority.

“We decided that it was not the right thing to do at this point in time,” he said.

Tory Cllr Pat Jones said she was ‘disgusted’ by what happened.

“After diligently serving as deputy for two years, Cllr Rigg was by-passed in favour of Cllr Brown who has only served a short time on the council,” she said.

“Worse was to come. The councillor who was given the role of deputy mayor, Cllr Scrogham, had not even started her first meeting.

“This came about because the council’s balance of power is one in favour.”

Michelle Scrogham was successful in gaining a seat in the Ulverston Town Ward in the elections earlier this month.

New mayor Cllr Bob Brown said: “To be elected as mayor is a huge and humbling honour and one which I will try to fulfil to the very best of my ability.

“I would also like to congratulate and welcome all of the newly-elected councillors and to commiserate with those who stood for election but were unsuccessful.

“I know that all who stood have the best interests of this town at heart and I thank them for their commitment.

“This marks a milestone in our journey of recovery from the Covid pandemic with the lifting of some of the restrictions. I’m delighted that the hospitality and leisure businesses can now start to breathe life back into the community, but I would still urge caution and ask people to be sensible and follow the remaining rules. I would also urge everyone to go and have their vaccinations as soon as they are given the opportunity.

“One of the big tasks that this council has in the coming months is to make sure that we all safely come through this difficult time.

“We need our businesses, our schools, our community to return to normality as safely as possible. This town council stands ready to play its part in the recovery.”