Tributes to councillor

Tributes have been paid to the chair of North Yorkshire County Council after it was announced that she has died.

Cllr Margaret Atkinson was appointed to the role in May to serve as the last chair of the county council before it is replaced by a new unitary authority next year.

However, it was confirmed on Monday (November 14) that Cllr Atkinson, who had served on the county council for nine years, had died suddenly.

North Yorkshire County Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: “Margaret’s passing is such sad and tragic news, and a huge loss to not just the county council, but North Yorkshire as a whole.

"Her passion and drive for the county was second to none, and she embraced the role of the council’s chair with the verve and integrity that she became renowned for.

“Margaret will be sadly missed by us all at the county council, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this very difficult time.”