York council leader to step down and leave frontline politics
York’s council leader is stepping down, it was announced tonight (Friday).
Keith Aspden is not seeking re-election in the May council elections, and instead plans to return to his career in education.
Cllr Aspden became the youngest councillor in the country in 2003. He has been the Liberal Democrat group since 2013 and has been the council leader since 2019.
Nigel Ayre, councillor for Heworth Without and executive member for finance and major projects, has been chosen by the Lib Dem group to become their new group leader.
Cllr Aspden, who has represented Fulford since 2003 and Fulford and Heslington since 2015, named as £540 million investment in the city and region through devolution, progressed the £700 million York Central project and protecting and expanding the city’s libraries among his achievements.
But his leadership was tarnished by the Mary Weastell saga. The former City of York Council chief executive was awarded a £400,000 payoff at a secret meeting.
She had lodged an employment tribunal against the council and Cllr Aspden, which was withdrawn after the payout was agreed.
The council leader did not declare a prejudicial interest when he chaired the secret meeting to agree the payout. That led to a damning report by independent auditors.
Cllr Aspden will continue to serve as council leader and a local councillor until the May election. Then he is set to become an honorary alderman following his 20 years of service to the city.
‘Rewarding and demanding’
Cllr Aspden said: “For the last 20 years, I have dedicated a big part of my life to serving the residents of Fulford and Heslington and have had the honour and privilege to lead our fantastic city in my role as council leader.
“It has been an incredibly rewarding experience, although demanding, particularly in responding to the pandemic. I am grateful for the support and trust of my colleagues, city partners and most importantly, local residents.
“I am proud of the things I have been able to achieve for Fulford and Heslington, particularly in securing crucial flood defences, investing in playing fields and community facilities, and supporting voluntary groups in my ward.
“I might be a little biased, but Fulford and Heslington are the best places to live, in what is the best city in the country.
“The role of the council leader has brought with it an incredible amount of responsibility, particularly in responding to the pandemic, the cost of living crisis and continued underinvestment in local councils.
“Yet despite this, I have been proud to lead this administration as we achieved for communities across the city – including unlocking the once in a lifetime opportunity that is the York Central project, to securing multi-million pound investment in the city via devolution, delivering hundreds of new homes, building a fantastic new stadium, creating the new community woodland and so much more.
“Having very recently passed our budget and secured the long-awaited devolution deal for York and North Yorkshire, I have come to the conclusion that it is the right time to take the opportunity of the election to turn a new page and return to my career in education.
“I equally always knew that having left teaching and education to be a full time councillor six years ago, that there would be a need to return to my career and a pension.”
‘Progressive ideas’
Cllr Aspden he expected his successor to be the next council leader after the May election. “I have full confidence in my amazing colleagues in the Liberal Democrat group to continue to serve our city and deliver on residents’ priorities after May.
“Having worked with Councillor Ayre for many years, I know just how committed he is to delivering for York and putting our communities first.”
Cllr Nigel Ayre, Liberal Democrat group leader, thanked Cllr Aspden for his contribution and added: “I’m grateful for my colleagues entrusting me with the role of the leader of the group.
“I will work to ensure that after May a Lib Dem administration will continue to deliver for residents with progressive, constructive and sensible ideas underpinning our plans – investing in our communities, highways and frontline services, supporting those most in need, delivering the homes that the city needs and investing in York’s future.
“I will be working closely with Cllr Aspden over the coming months, and I look forward to taking on the role of council leader in May with many more hardworking Liberal Democrat councillors across the city.”
GOOD