The new coalition running York council have set out their plans for the city.
The Liberal Democrats and Green Party have formed a ‘progressive partnership’ to run York.
They say:
-
We are committed to bringing communities together, making York fairer and affordable for everyone, working for a greener, healthier city, giving our children a better start and demanding a council that listens and works for residents.
Here is their initial programme, said to be a “summary of some of the shared goals and initiatives that our new partnership aims to take forward in our first year”.
Climate and energy
- We will reduce the city’s carbon footprint, committing to annual targets leading to to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
- We will improve air quality, delivering York’s clean air zone and setting out further measures.
- We will create a climate committee for York, to drive effective change in the city and give clear direction for council carbon saving priorities.
- Commit to meeting Treemendous and Northern Forest’s tree planting targets within two years.
- Create a new green open space or stray
Housing
- Work to deliver the local plan, providing the affordable homes we need, whilst protecting York’s special character and green belt.
- Review, support and enhance residents’ associations across York.
- Review the council’s housing design standards to achieve zero carbon for energy demand.
Street environment
- Install 100 new dual litter and recycling bins to encourage recycling of waste.
- Create a new environment team, with funding and powers to reduce fly-tipping, tackle all graffiti, support enforcement, and enhance resident action caring for their neighbourhood.
Education
- Continue to protect all of York’s children centres.
- Improve mental health support, with professional support in each school.
- Provide additional resources for youth support services and work to close the attainment gap.
- Invest in play equipment across York.
Transport
- Invest in York’s roads and footpaths.
- Set clear targets for sustainable transport and clean air, such as electric buses and charging points, bus priority, the cycle network and walking.
- Review and enhance resident parking plans.
Economy
- Develop a bottom-up strategy for the city centre through the MyCityCentre consultation.
- Explore future opportunities for a tourist levy to help generate new investment.
- Develop the council’s apprenticeship programme to maintain workforce succession.
- Deliver on key projects such as York Central and Castle Gateway to attract higher paid jobs in York
- Create a new Economic Strategy for York, including the re-establishment of York’s Economic Partnership to drive forward business development and share benefits of clean growth within our city.
Healthy communities
- Invest in local social prescribing to tackle loneliness and isolation, and make York a dementia friendly city.
- Ward grants and the creation of a new safer communities fund, to benefit local communities.
- Grant council tax relief for foster carers and care leavers in their first year.
- Strengthen action on homelessness, financial inclusion and champion greater mental health support.
Council
- Ensure the council adopts a more transparent and cross-party approach to decision-making with a review of best practice, considering all options.
- Review the council’s constitution to ensure the council is open and accountable to residents.
- Lobby for fairer funding for services in York, particularly our schools.