A CITY'S mayor has sent out an invitation to residents to raise concerns with him face-to-face.

It is part of a crusade by the Mayor of Ripon, Councillor David Parnaby, to bring local people closer to the workings of the city council.

The mayor is making himself available from 10am until noon each working day at the town hall.

"People have no need to bother making an appointment to see me if they want to raise matters. They can just call in between those hours. If I have been called away I will make arrangements to see them later," he said.

Because Ripon City Council only has two members of staff and 15 councillors its powers are limited. But it can take up issues with North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council.

Coun Parnaby wants issues to be identified and recorded, plus action taken or requested from higher councils.

"We need to keep a record of what issues we have taken up as a city council and have it available so we can see what progress has been made and keep track of things," he said.

Coun Parnaby, who broke with tradition by naming a number of mayoresses when he took the role in May, got the idea of his 'no appointments necessary' initiative after holding successful surgeries for residents in the Wakeman's House as a councillor.