Conservative and Liberal Democrats have revealed the full details of the new joint Executive set to run City of York Council.
The Executive will be made up of 4 Conservatives and 4 Lib Dems, with Conservative Cllr Chris Steward as Council Leader and Lib Dem Cllr Keith Aspden as Deputy Leader.
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Responsibility for redrawing York’s Local Plan will sit jointly with the Leader and Deputy Leader.
The 8 Executive Members will take a reduction in allowances compared to the outgoing 6 Labour members to ensure that there is no overall increase in costs. Labour and Green leaders will be invited to attend and speak at executive meetings which will run in conjunction with new cross-party ‘policy and scrutiny’ committees.
Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat Group Leader, commented:
“This is an experienced joint administration which is committed to delivering for residents and bringing about real change at the council. In the specific Lib Dem portfolio areas we will focus on increasing recycling, delivering the Community Stadium whilst keeping Yearsley Pool open, as well as sorting out the mess left behind by Labour in adult social care. In my portfolio, my priority will be to devolve budgets and power to local communities through revised Ward Committees. We will also work jointly to ensure that a revised Local Plan protects York’s green belt.”
Cllr Chris Steward, Conservative Group Leader, commented:
“Our four Executive Members – for Education, Housing, Transport and Planning, with myself at Finance and Performance, represent a blend of three experienced and one new councillor. Most importantly, all four have had substantial experience in a variety of roles in both the private and public sectors outside of the council bubble. All four will bring seasoned critical skills to their new roles and will be able to take a measured approach to the issues facing York. This is particularly crucial for our administration’s determination to move forward on a Local Plan which will represent a realistic balance between the new housing York needs and the preservation of York’s green belt and the distinctive character of its villages and neighbourhoods; for a transport and planning system which works with, not against, residents; and to return York to a sustainable financial footing without excess borrowing. I am very pleased with both administration partners’ Executive choices.”
A copy of the Executive portfolio responsibilities can be downloaded by clicking here