New deputy lord mayor elected

Coun Hale, who is also deputy leader of Hull Council, was in line to be the city’s 100th lord mayor next year, was forced to step down after lawyers said he could not also be a member of the council’s Cabinet.

Concerns about the legality of the dual roles were first raised by council lawyers after Labour swept to power at the Guildhall in May, ousting the Liberal Democrats.

Councillors voted to amend the constitution at its annual meeting the same month to allow Coun Hale to continue. But a QC’s opinion was sought and in July the council was told that Coun Hale could not hold both roles. A second legal opinion from another QC, which came back on August 4, confirmed the legal position.

Coun Danny Brown was elected as the new Deputy Lord Mayor at a meeting of the full council. Coun Brown, a disability champion, joined the authority in 1988 and currently represents the Kings Park ward. He has also worked in local government in the past.

Coun Colin Inglis is the current Lord Mayor.