Communities thanked as experienced councillors announce they will not seek re-election in May
Three Liberal Democrat councillors, Councillors Sue Hunter, James Barker and Keith Aspden, have thanked local communities, following their decision not to stand for re-election in May 2023.
Councillor Aspden has served as a local councillor for 20 years, representing Fulford since 2003 and Fulford and Heslington since 2015. Keith, who has led the Liberal Democrat group since 2013 and has been the Council leader since 2019, is taking the opportunity to return to his career in education.
In 2003, Councillor Aspden became the youngest councillor in the country and has since served as the local councillor for Fulford and Heslington, securing multi-million pound flood defences and improvements to playing fields, investing in local groups and organisations, including local schools and events, such as the Fulford Show and much more.
Councillor Aspden has been the longest serving Council Leader since 2008, leading the city through the unprecedented and challenging Covid pandemic. Under his leadership, the Liberal Democrat-led Administration has secured £540 million investment in the city and region through devolution, progressed the £700 million York Central project to its furthest stage, delivered hundreds of affordable homes, protected and expanded the city’s libraries, secured crucial Purple Flag status for York, created a new community woodland, and secured significant new investment and jobs in the city, including the new government hub. Keith was also instrumental in saving the city’s Edwardian Yearsley swimming pool.
Councillor Aspden, who will continue to serve as Council Leader and a local councillor until the May election, is then set to become an Honorary Alderman following his 20 years of service to the city.
Councillor Nigel Ayre, local Councillor for Heworth Without and Executive Member for Finance and Major Projects, has been chosen by the Liberal Democrat council group to become their new group leader. Nigel has served as a councillor for 16 years, and in his role as an Executive Member has lead the delivery of the first Local Plan for York in 60 years, supported financially vulnerable residents and secured new investment for mental health.
Councillor Keith Aspden commented:
“For the last twenty 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.
“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. Having been a Councillor in this city for 16 years, he has a track record to show for it – including delivering the first Local Plan for York in 60 years, two new swimming pools and significant investment in the city’s library services, as well as supporting financially vulnerable residents and securing new investment for mental health. His extensive experience as a local councillor, in health and social care and as an Executive Member, I know will make him an excellent Council Leader after a Liberal Democrat victory in May.”
Councillor Sue Hunter, who has represented Westfield ward since 2015, has decided to step down to focus on her new civic role as Sheriff of York and her booming local florist business.
Councillor Sue Hunter commented: “I would like to thank the residents of Westfield for putting their trust in me, and of course my ward colleagues with whom I have served our community for the last 8 years. I am proud of our work, including investing in Acomb Front Street and amazing local organisations, as well as addressing the day-to-day local concerns of our residents.
“I am very much looking forward to continuing to serve our city in my new role as Sheriff of York Elect in what will no doubt be an enjoyable and eventful year in this historic office representing our city and promoting positive change.”
Councillor James Barker has also decided not to seek re-election in May, having served as a councillor for Rural West York since 2019. Covid and more recently the war in Ukraine have made increasing demands on reservists like James.
Councillor James Barker said: “I have very much enjoyed the four years of service I have been able to give my local community as a councillor. Together with my colleague Councillor Anne Hook, we have secured significant investment in the ward, addressed speeding concerns, fixed roads, protected our green space, amongst so many more actions.
“As my reservist duties are taking up increasingly more time, I believe it’s right to give another local champion the opportunity to represent our community. That said, as any retired Councillor will tell you, you never really leave working for your community, and I will continue to keep a watchful eye on activity in Rural West York and address any concerns residents may have.”
Councillor Nigel Ayre, Liberal Democrat group Leader, commented:
“I would like to thank Keith, James and Sue for their invaluable service to their communities and our city. They should be very proud of the time, passion and commitment they have shown throughout their years representing and working for their communities.
“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.”
The Liberal Democrat group will be announcing their full slate of council candidates across York, including the themes of the manifesto, on 18th March.