He has made his wishes known ahead of a meeting of Ripon City Council on Monday night which will be deciding who the next Mayor should be.

Writing in his weekly column in today's Ripon Gazette newspaper, Coun Parnaby says: "I will be open and honest and state that I will be asking them to let me continue for another year."

He says he wants to remain in office so he can continue the work he has already begun as one of the key players in the newly revamped Ripon City Partnership.

partnership role

As Mayor, he is one of two deputy chairmen of the partnership's board, but would have to hand over that role to whoever succeeds him as Mayor.

"In my opinion it would be foolhardy to start swapping personalities around at this juncture," said Coun Parnaby.

"In 12 months' time, when areas and patterns of work have been established, it will not be a problem but I am so passionate about wanting to see the city of Ripon returned to the happy and prosperous place it used to be and I would hate for us to miss this one golden opportunity."