TRIBUTES have been paid to the chair of North Yorkshire County Council following her sudden death.

The death was announced yesterday (Monday) of Councillor Margaret Atkinson, who was appointed to the role in May to serve as the last ever chair of the council before local government reorganisation in April next year.

Deputy chair, Cllr David Ireton, who represents Bentham and Ingleton, will take on the responsibilities of council chair for the rest of the year.

Cllr Atkinson had served on the county council for nine years and represented the Masham and Fountains division.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the county council, 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.

“Margaret’s 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.

“She was very interested in all the people and groups she met, especially those in the rural

communities we serve, as she came from those communities herself, and was a great champion of rural affairs.

“She was a prominent figure in the farming community, and helped so many through her time and caring attitude, including her fundraising work for charity.

“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.”

The leader for the Green group on the county council, Cllr Andy Brown, who represents the Aire Valley, said: “Margaret was a dignified lady who was respected by all sides of the political spectrum. I am so sad to hear this news.”

Cllr Atkinson was a leading figure in the countryside, and was a semi-retired farmer and also the

secretary of the Yorkshire and North-East branch of the British Charolais Cattle Society.

She was also a member of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and the Nidderdale Area of

Outstanding Natural Beauty’s joint advisory committee.

Cllr Atkinson, who lived in Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, leaves behind her husband, Michael, and three children and five grandchildren.

Cllr Ireton was due to take on the chairmanship of the new North Yorkshire Council, which will be formed when the county council and the seven district and borough authorities merge from April 1 next year.