Changes to the way Ward Committees are run, and massive reductions in budgets, will leave residents with few opportunities to become involved in the local community.

Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Ann Reid can reveal that the amount that Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward Committee will have to spend this year has reduced from over £33,000 to just £4455 .

“Not only has the budget been drastically reduced but the Labour administration is telling residents how they can spend this measly amount” says Ann

“It is a disgrace”.

“Residents voted for schemes in good faith and now Labour are telling them that 3 out of the top 10 most popular ones cannot be funded.

The Community Rangers patrols, supporting the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Fire Service, new play equipment and a new pedestrian island on Tadcaster Rodd have all been jettisoned.”

Only bids from voluntary organisations solely based in the ward can be considered and Ward Committees can no longer fund council provided services such as new lamp posts or salt bins.

Only one formal Ward Committee meeting will be held each year with others organised by Ward Councillors and residents “informally”.

The next Dringhouses and Woodthorpe meeting is provisionally set for 11th June but no venue has been arranged yet.

Come along and help decide how the £4455 is spent and find out how these changes affect our community