Liberal Democrats have raised fresh concerns over York’s membership of a new super council after it was revealed that money could be cut from frontline survices to fund the city’s contribution.

Labour run City of York Council has decided to join with Leeds, Bradford and other West Yorkshire metropolitan authorities in a new super council, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, from April 2014. York will be expected to contribute around £4million-a-year to the authority, which will have a range of roles including deciding major local transport schemes and overseeing economic development.

At last week’s Full Council meeting, in response to a question from Lib Dem Councillor Keith Orrell, Labour confirmed that they did not know where the £4million-a-year would come from but they would consider taking it from York’s revenue budget – which funds frontline services.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat Group Leader on City of York Council, commented:

“There are a number of unanswered questions over Labour’s plans for York to join the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. These include what guaranteed voting rights York will have, why this decision has been taken without any public consultation, and how Labour will ensure York’s voice is not lost amongst other councils with which we do not share geographical boundaries.

“The most pressing issue is the confirmation that Labour have no financial plan in place to cover York’s £4million-a-year contribution. The answer they gave last week did however confirm that they have not ruled out taking money from services such as road maintenance, social care and children’s services.

“Given the cuts that Labour have already made to frontline services to fund vanity projects such as the Arts Barge and the King’s Square redevelopment, it is alarming that as a consequence of joining the new super authority further services for residents could now be under threat.”

Labour’s Council Leader, James Alexander, gave the following answer at last week’s Full Council in response to a question from Lib Dem Councillor Keith Orrell:

Q – “Can the Leader explain where the additional £4 million a year that York council taxpayers will be expected to contribute to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority will come from?”

A – “The council’s budget comprising of Government funding through the formulae grant, taxation and commercial income.”