Opposition leaders call for united front in £38m funding fight

York’s opposition leaders have gone public after Council Leader Cllr Claire Douglas rejected their request to join her meeting with Government Ministers about the city’s £38 million funding gap, despite offering to agree strict parameters beforehand.

At Full Council, Cllr Douglas was twice asked whether the Leaders of the Liberal Democrat and Conservative Groups, Cllr Nigel Ayre and Cllr Chris Steward, could be included in the meeting with Government Ministers. On both occasions, she said no. The two Group Leaders subsequently followed up with a joint letter offering a practical compromise.

In her response, Cllr Douglas declined their request, arguing that the imminent meeting was not the right time for cross-party working.

The proposed changes to local government funding could leave York facing a £38 million funding gap, making it vital that the city presents the strongest possible case to Government for a fair settlement.

In their letter, Cllr Ayre and Cllr Steward offered to sit down with Cllr Douglas before the meeting and agree strict parameters for what would be raised with Ministers. They said this would ensure everyone was properly briefed and that York presented a clear and united case for the funding it needs.

The two Group Leaders argue that the scale of the funding challenge makes this precisely the sort of issue where political differences should be put aside.

Cllr Nigel Ayre, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said:

“York will be £38 million worse off under these proposed funding arrangements. That is an enormous amount of money, and the consequences will be felt by residents and frontline services across our city.

“If York is left without that £38 million, the Executive will be left with three choices: excessive Council Tax rises, drastic cuts to services, or a payday loan from the Government.

“That is why it is so important that York makes the strongest possible case to Ministers. We should be doing everything we can to secure the funding our city needs.”

Cllr Chris Steward, Leader of the Conservative Group, said:

“Our offer was straightforward: sit down with the Council Leader beforehand, agree what would be discussed and present a united case to Ministers.

“We have asked for opposition leaders to be included at Full Council and followed up with a considered joint letter offering a practical compromise. Cllr Douglas has rejected both requests.

“Residents will make up their own minds about the efforts being made to secure the funding York needs. Excluding opposition leaders who are willing to work together makes it harder to demonstrate that every possible effort is being made to secure a fair deal.

“We hope Cllr Douglas will reconsider. York’s funding needs should come before party political differences.”