Cleared councillor returns to deputy leader role

Cllr Keith Aspden has returned to the role of City of York Council deputy leader.

Cllr Andrew Waller, who had temporarily held the role, has now formally handed over to Cllr Aspden. Cllr Waller will continue to serve as executive member for the environment.

Cllr Aspden returns to the role having been found to have not breached the council code of conduct for a range of unfounded allegations, following a long-awaited public hearing in January.

Vision of York

He was first elected as a local councillor in 2003.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, thanked Cllr Waller for his hard work as deputy leader, adding:

• Following my handover with Andrew, I and my group are more determined than ever to ensure that residents and local communities across York receive good quality and efficient services from the council, which reflect local residents priorities.

  Having recently announced our Focus on Five manifesto themes; our full slate of council candidates; and manifesto to follow at the beginning of April, we are looking forward to campaigning for local communities and with our vision of York.