Mayor facing defeat over new chief

English Democrat mayor Peter Davies provoked an outcry from opposition councillors when it emerged he was refusing to accept Tim Leader as chief officer despite full council voting in favour of his appointment on Monday.

As revealed in yesterday's Yorkshire Post, Mr Leader wrote to the mayor on Wednesday refusing his request that he resign and recording his belief the mayor's conduct was undermining the council at the worst possible time in the light of the Edlington court case and council failings.

Mayor Davies has taken legal advice on the procedure surrounding Mr Leader's appointment after his preferred choice, Robin Hooper, was not nominated by the chief officers appointments committee.

The mayor had wanted Mr Hooper, acting deputy director of children's services, to replace Paul Hart who resigned suddenly last week citing "personal reasons" for his decision.

A technicality surrounding the procedure ahead of Monday's meeting means another meeting will now be held but it is almost certain Mr Leader, formerly the monitoring officer, will again receive majority support.

Garth Oxby, Independent Alliance leader, said: "The outcome is not in doubt but what has happened has belittled Mr Leader's position and we can't have officers treated in this way. The mayor has now got to knuckle down and work with Mr Leader."

He added a vote of no confidence in the mayor was highly likely to go ahead, possibly next month.

Mayor Davies declined to comment.