COUNCIL tax-payers will pay 33 per cent more to Ripon City Council next year to fund a concerted drive to revitalise the city’s economy.

The rise will see the average Band D householder paying an extra 20p a week for the authority’s services.

The decision to spend £60,000 to employ a city manager and launch a marketing drive was made at a dramatic meeting of Ripon City Council on Monday, during which its long-serving top officer stunned members by resigning.

Councillors told the meeting the “fairly radical” inflation-busting increase in its council tax precept followed several years of small or no rises.

They said the rise had been triggered by tough trading conditions, with 26 shops in the city centre up for sale.

It is understood previous attempts to boost the local economy have been undermined by infighting between groups and it is felt a city manager would be able to co-ordinate a range of initiatives to bring more visitors into Ripon.

Councillor Andrew Williams said: “There are many in the local community who are looking to this council to give a lead in these difficult times.”

The decision came days after Ripon and Skipton MP Julian Smith hosted a summit of the city’s key figures at Fountains Abbey, at which it was agreed to push for a united economic strategy.

North Yorkshire, Harrogate Borough and Ripon City, the Greater Ripon Improvement Partnership, the city’s Chamber of Trade and Civic Society, Ripon Cathedral, Lightwater Valley, Newby Hall and Fountains Abbey were represented at the meeting.

Mr Smith said: “Ripon is not economically punching the weight it should be.”

* Ripon City councillors admitted to being shocked following an announcement by the city’s clerk that she would step down after more than 16 years’ service.

Town clerk Yvonne Covell told the full council meeting: “Due to the actions of some councillors I am resigning as the clerk of the council.”

Mrs Covell, who also runs the city’s Scuba Diving For All initiative for disabled people, said her decision to resign was unrelated to decisions the council had taken.

She said: “I want to spend more time at home and get more disabled people into the water.”

Councillors Andrew Williams and Bernard Bateman described Mrs Covell as a dedicated public servant and said she had made “a great contribution to the city and the council”.