The York LibDem Council Group has won a prestigious national award.
They have been named the party’s “Group of the Year” at an annual event held in Manchester.
The LibDems won 4 additional seats at the Council elections held in the City in May.
Cllr Ann Reid (left) and Cllr Keith Aspden receive the award form party President Sal Brinton
Liberal Democrat Councillors have reached a tentative agreement to form a joint administration with the Conservative Group to run City of York Council.
Keith Aspden statement click to enlarge
Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr Keith Aspden will become Deputy Leader of the Council, with Cllr Chris Steward as Council Leader.
The new Executive will be made up of 4 Conservatives and 4 Lib Dems, with appointments due to be agreed at Thursday’s Annual Council meeting.
The Group has published an initial set of joint policy priorities which include redrawing York’s Local Plan, putting greater investment in frontline services and ending so-called “vanity projects”.
They have also published joint governance proposals which introduce new cross-party working arrangements and include a commitment to improve openness and transparency at the Council.
York residents are being urged to have their say ahead of next year’s local elections.
The Liberal Democrats have launched a new initiative, York 2015’, which is asking local people to submit their ideas on how to improve life in the city. The best ideas will be considered for inclusion in the Lib Dem manifesto for next year’s election. Residents can submit their ideas through email, twitter and post. The Lib Dems are planning a series of events to publicise the initiative over the coming weeks.
Lib Dem Group Leader Cllr Keith Aspden commented:
“The Liberal Democrats are the only party in Britain whose policy is decided democratically by our members. We now want to take this further in York and develop our local manifesto hand-in-hand with local residents.
“One of the most common things people tell me is that Labour run York Council does not listen to them. So, we are now launching this open process to hear residents ideas on how York Council after 2015 can best address the issues that matter to local people – whether that be tackling congestion, helping local businesses, improving local services, or anything else.
“We are looking to remove the barrier between the council and residents, put party politics to one side and actually listen to local people. We will be asking people to submit their ideas over the coming weeks. The best policies will then be included in next year’s manifesto and, if the election results go our way next May, work on implementing them can begin in earnest.”
Residents can have their say by visiting www.yorklibdems.org.uk/york2015, emailing york2015@yorklibdems.org.uk, sending a message on twitter to @yorklibdems using the hashtag #york2015, or write to Unit 12A Victoria Farm Estate, Water Lane, Clifton, YO30 6PQ.
The York Liberal Democrat Council Group has revealed their policy spokespeople following the start of the council’s 2014/15 civic year.
The Lib Dems, who are the joint largest opposition group on Labour run York Council, unanimously re-elected current leader Cllr Keith Aspden and deputy Cllr Ann Reid at their recent AGM, but have made a number of changes elsewhere.
New roles will see Group Leader Cllr Keith Aspden focus on community engagement, Cllr Keith Orrell lead the campaign to Save York’s Green Belt, Cllr Lynn Jeffries take on health and adult social care, and Cllr Ian Cuthbertson lead on Culture, Tourism and Leisure. (more…)