Two York councillors ordered to stand down during investigation into ‘serious allegations’
Two York councillors have been told to relinquish their cabinet roles while their conduct is investigated.
Cllr Aspden is deputy leader of the council and held the economic development and community engagement portfolio.
Cllr Ayre held the culture, leisure and tourism brief.
They must stand aside from the executive pending a council standards committee investigation into possible breaches of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.
‘Best they take a step back’
No details have been given of the allegations against Cllrs Aspden and Ayre, but they are described as serious.
Council leader David Carr said: “Following external legal advice and in accordance with the powers granted to me under the CYC constitution, I have required Cllr Aspden and Cllr Ayre to stand aside from their duties as Executive Committee members pending the outcome of a standards committee investigation.”
He added:
But given the seriousness of the allegations at issue I have determined that in order for the administration to continue to function effectively that it is best for Cllr Aspden and Cllr Ayre to take a step back from their Executive duties at this time.
A spokesman for City of York Council said: “It would be inappropriate for us to comment further while an investigation is underway or before the standards committee has had the opportunity to meet.”
Tories and Lib Dems have shared roles on the executive since forming a coalition following elections in May 2015.
The next listed meeting for the joint standards committee, chaired by Lib Dem councillor Carol Runciman, is Wednesday, October 4.
You can read the recently revised Code Of Conduct for York councillors here.