Following the House of Commons debate on Flooding preparedness in Yorkshire last week, Cllr Keith Aspden has written to George Eustice MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to urge the Government to keep to its promises and deliver a Yorkshire-wide approach to tackling flooding.

York Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to keep their promises and back authorities, like York, by providing a fair funding deal that will protect services and allow us to enable a sustainable long-term recovery.

The Council’s Executive has today voted to press ahead with the transformation of Caste Gateway, committing to the key public benefits of the masterplan, which outline the development of a new world-class public space around Clifford’s Tower and Eye of York.

Liberal Democrat councillors have addressed resident concerns about taxi drivers from areas with higher infection rates working in York, as the city continues to work together to ensure coronavirus infection rates remain low.

A motion agreed at the Party’s Autumn Conference lays bare the risks of the Government’s planning proposals, which the Lib Dems argue amount to a Government “power grab” that will reduce investment in affordable housing in York and cross the country. The Government’s planning proposals threaten to disempower local authorities like York and allow developers to run roughshod over local communities’ wishes.

Local Lib Dem Councillor Nigel Ayre has welcomed the news that road maintenance works are to be carried out at Bad Bargain Lane commencing on 26th October. This comes after successful lobbying efforts by Cllr Ayre for repairs to be carried out in the road next to new community facilities at Burnholme centre.

The Liberal Democrats have today passed new plans to address the mental health impact that the Coronavirus pandemic is having on our health and care workers. The new proposals would ensure no-one slips through the net as the scale of this crisis emerges.

The Job Support Scheme announced by the Chancellor earlier today is a welcome step towards providing short-term help to businesses in extending employment support after months of lobbying from business leaders, local authorities and opposition parties. Despite this, significant concerns remain that the new scheme will fall short of delivering the urgent help businesses need, failing to provide comprehensive support to the hospitality and retail industry as well as to those 3million taxpayers still excluded from accessing any Government support schemes.  

Cllr Andrew Waller, Executive Member Economy and Strategic Planning, has written to the Chancellor to call for an urgent support and recovery package to be introduced for the hospitality industry, as the return of more stringent public health restrictions leave businesses facing a challenging winter period.

Cllr Keith Aspden has joined Council leaders from across Yorkshire and the Humber writing to the Health Secretary to offer assistance and express growing concerns over the impact of Pillar 2 laboratory capacity issues. Recognising the ongoing work taking place currently, Council leaders offered to provide support to manage and resolve the testing system issues.