Former Driffield mayor Coun Mrs Joan Cooper used her outgoing speech to take a side swipe at a handful of fellow councillors who she branded as petty.
During the annual mayor making ceremony, at which she relinquished her chains of office, Coun Mrs Cooper said several of her colleagues had done their best to be obstructive and had been sometimes rude.
The Community Centre Council chamber on Mill Street was packed with councillors, members of the public and council staff as Coun Cooper outlined the highlights of her year in office and thanked those who had supported her.
She added: “I would also like to thank the majority of the town councillors for their support.
“Obviuously, there are a small handful who have done their best to be obstructive and on occasions quite rude when things haven’t gone the way that they like.
“I do hope that these persons show more respect for the incoming mayor when she takes up her office and stop being petty.”
Coun Mrs Cooper said: “Once again the year has had its ups and downs - criticism from the public because the town council didn’t partake in the celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee and again because the Olympic torch didn’t come through Driffield , which that in itself was nothing whatsoever to do with us, we couldn’t do anything about that. And the festival that never was, was also a contentious issue -bearing in mind, all these things cost ratepayers’ money and we have got to consider what we are spending on.
Coun Mrs Cooper said: “The civic year has been marvellous and my consort, Tony, and I have attended many and varied invitations, ranging from the traction engine rally to civic services. I haven’t listed everything because we would be sat here for ever and a day.
“But believe me, there were an awful lot of worthwehile causes and amusing events and things like that.
“The favourite actually was the trip day and trhe scrambling - I do enjoy those.”
Coun Mrs Cooper said there were many more event at which she was able to promote Driffield and its people and businesses.
“I would like to thank our staff in the office for their hard work and also the Tidy Team for everything they do for the town, because without the tidy team and the staff we would not have the Christmas lights and the hanging basket and the bonfire and of course the Thursday market, along with the unmentionable other jobs that they have to undertake throughout the year.
“I would like to thank my consort, Tony, for getting me to my destinations on time - sometimes maybe an hour or two early - and my deputy Heather Venter for her help and support over the year and I trust that she will have an enjoyable year in office and she can count on my support over the next year.
“Finally, I have raised £1,100 for my charities with the help of the public who have supported a lot of the tombolas, raffles etc and I would like to thank them wholeheartedly for that
“This will be divided betyween the salvation Army and 2nd Driffield Scout.
During the ceremony, Councillors were asked to approve the receipt of attendance figures by by members for the previous year.
They also passed a resolution for the formation of Standing Committee, naming the members who will sit on them and they approved the Mayors Civic Expenses Allowance for the Coming year of £1000
* Coun Heather Venter receives the chains of office - see page 7