York Liberal Democrats have launched their local election manifesto promising to “put residents first”.

You can download the full manifesto here.

Group Leader Cllr Keith Aspden and Deputy Leader Cllr Ann Reid were joined by Lib Dem Peer Lord Phil Willis on a campaign visit to Woodthorpe on Friday. The visit highlights the Lib Dem manifesto commitment to safeguard York’s Green Belt and protect sites such as Moor Lane from development under the Local Plan.

Lord Willis will also be the special guest at an event tonight, when the manifesto is officially launched with local members and supporters in York.

The full manifesto builds on the six key policy themes unveiled by the Lib Dems last month. These are:

– Protect Frontline Services, including plans to invest more in road repairs, rule out further cuts and charges for waste collections and keep Yearsley Pool open.

– Fight for York’s Green Belt, with a revised Local Plan which focuses much-needed house building on brownfield sites across the city such as York Central.

– Put Communities First by devolving power and budgets to local residents and opening-up decision making at the council through a return to a cross-party committee system.

– Make York the Greenest City in the North by increasing recycling, cutting carbon emissions and supporting sustainable transport, renewable energy schemes and green jobs.

– Support Jobs and Apprenticeships by increasing help to small businesses and working with regional partners to secure increased investment in York.

– Invest in Young People by boosting support for school children from disadvantaged backgrounds, keeping all Children’s Centres open and protecting the services offered at Castlegate.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Keith Aspden commented:

“We are pleased to be promoting our manifesto here in Woodthorpe, one of a number of areas where we are fighting to protect the Green Belt, a key manifesto pledge for the Liberal Democrats.

“This is one of our six key priorities, all of which reflect what residents have been telling us on the doorstep over the last four years. Local people feel let down by the Labour Council and want change.

“Our manifesto focuses on frontline services such as road repairs and facilities like Yearsley Pool, protecting York’s Green Belt, and devolving power to give local communities a greater say over how money is spent.

“It also outlines our vision to make York the Greenest City in the North, increase support for local jobs and apprenticeships, and prioritise investment in young people and the services offered at Castlegate and Children’s Centres.

“This manifesto puts residents first and includes a set of ambitious but deliverable policies which would ensure York remains a thriving, sustainable and attractive place to live and work.”