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Revealed: Who got the top jobs at the new-look York council

The York council chamber at Guildhall. Photograph © Allan Harris on Flickr

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News, Politics

The top jobs in York’s newly-formed coalition have now been allocated.

Four Conservatives and four Liberal Democrats will make up the eight-strong executive. The outgoing Labour council had an executive of only six but the new members are taking a reduction in allowances to ensure no increase in costs.

Six men and two women take the roles. They are…

York council executive

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Devolving power

Labour and Green leaders will be invited to attend and speak at executive meetings. These will run in conjunction with new cross-party ‘policy and scrutiny’ committees.

Deputy leader Cllr Aspden said Lib Dem portfolios would focus on increasing recycling, delivering the Community Stadium, keeping Yearsley Pool open “as well as sorting out the mess left behind by Labour in adult social care”.

He added:

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.

The Tories on the executive brought “substantial experience in a variety of roles in both the private and public sectors outside of the council bubble”, said leader Cllr Steward. He added:

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.

The Labour reaction

Cllr Dafydd Williams, the Labour group leader. Photograph © York Labour on Flickr
Cllr Dafydd Williams, the Labour group leader. Photograph © York Labour on Flickr

Labour group leader Cllr Dafydd Williams said he had wished both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats well in their efforts to run the council.

He said:

Both groups have evidently compromised with the Lib Dems dropping their calls for a committee system once Cabinet positions were presented to them while the Conservatives have conceded on the Living Wage which they said would prevent them working with Labour.

There are a number of uncosted promises so we look forward to hearing what cuts will be made to other services to pay for them.

We will provide constructive and robust opposition to the Tory-led coalition in their running of the council, especially should their cuts be directed to the most needy in our city.

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