After months of waiting, the first payments from the £1.57bn support package announced by the Government have been released. With nine York institutions securing £1,914,895 collectively from rounds 1 & 2, the funding marks the first step towards restoring Britain’s cultural sector back to health. York Lib Dems have been campaigning for funding since the start of the pandemic, highlighting the looming ‘cultural catastrophe’ the country was facing as cultural, music and heritage institutions battled for their survival.

City of York Council has today committed to support hungry children failed by the government's decision not to fund school meals through the half-term school holidays.

Earlier this week saw 322 MPs vote against providing funding to the poorest families over the half term and upcoming holidays, dismissing cross-party calls to not let children go hungry this winter.

City of York Council’s Full Council today (29 October) has rejected local government restructure in York, confirming that there is no functional, historical or logical reason to merge York with surrounding rural and coastal areas.

Since launching our survey, more than 4000 residents have already said they oppose the plans to merge York into an unaccountable and unrepresentative ‘mega-council’

City of York’s Council Executive has today approved the delivery of 120 new homes, along with the disposal of 8 self-build sites, making a direct investment in our city’s future by providing affordable, sustainable and accessible housing.

The decision will see 120 homes, 40% of which will be affordable, delivered at Burnholme and Duncombe Barracks, with sales approximately £3m used to fund the further provision of affordable housing and public open space in the city.

The expansion of the Job Support Scheme, announced by the Chancellor earlier today, is a welcome step towards providing some relief to businesses who have been pleading for Government support for months. Whilst the new plans will see more businesses supported, many important questions over eligibility and long term strategy remain.

Following news that York is to be moved to tier two on the new three-tier restriction system, just days after the Government initially placed York in tier one, the city’s leaders are calling on the Government to provide urgent and comprehensive financial help to support local efforts to slow the spread of the virus and help businesses.

Earlier in August, the Council’s Executive approved proposals for a new community woodland to be created, which will see 50,000 trees planted by 2023. It has now been confirmed that 154 acres of farmland between Knapton and Rufforth on the outer ring road, with a further 10 acres on the inner ring road, has been secured to create the new woodland.

In advance of the Prime Ministers statement, in which he is set to announce a new tiered public health system across the country, Leader of City of York Council Cllr Keith Aspden has joined Northern leaders across the region in calling for greater cooperation, clarity and financial support from the Government to support local authorities, as cases of Coronavirus rise across the country.

York Outer Ring Road upgrade scheme is set to progress following continued lobbying efforts by Liberal Democrat councillors. A consultation with local residents has been launched by the City of York Council asking residents, businesses and visitors for their views on the proposed upgrade of the York Outer Ring Road from A19 Shipton Road to the A1036 Little Hopgrove.

The expansion of the Job Support Scheme, announced by the Chancellor earlier today, is a welcome step towards providing short-term help to businesses who are expected to face closure due to enhanced public health restrictions. Whilst this new furlough scheme will cushion the blow for those businesses forced to shut their doors, today’s announcements bring no clarity or support to those firms which aren’t required to close but continue to face major financial challenges.