BEHIND-closed-doors meetings and private reports could end at City of York Council, as opposition councillors push for more openness.

After their successful bid to overhaul committee positions on the council, the groups have come up with a raft of proposals for major governance reforms.

Together they now hold a notional 26-21 majority on the council, and they want an end to behind-closed-doors decisions, a more powerful scrutiny process, more open consultation with the public and tighter controls on performance, staff appointments and international travel.

The authority has been criticised by the Information Commissioner's Office and the Local Government Organisation, amid rows over openness and transparency.

Under the new proposals, such problems would have to be aired publicly, with all complaints figures and reports from bodies such as the LGO and ICO brought to a cross-party committee regularly.

The 14 proposals, backed by all four opposition groups and independent members, include an end to private decision sessions and the compulsory publication of reports, and the chance for the public to contribute more to decisions.

Liberal Democrat leader Keith Aspden said: “It can’t just be business as usual at York Council.

"We need meaningful reform and an overhaul of governance arrangements. Labour’s loss of majority control gives opposition councillors the opportunity to work together to push through these changes. We need to ensure that York Council is run more openly and effectively in the long-term - regardless of any political changes in the next couple of weeks or the results of next May’s elections."

Conservative leader Chris Steward said that while opposition parties had different views on policy, they were working together to improve council processes. Green leader Andy D'Agorne added: "We do have big challenges to face, and the council has to find ways to regain the confidence of the electorate, in spite of our political differences."

Cllr Ken King, of the new Labour Independent group, said York residents wanted councillors working together, like adults, for the benefit of the city.

He added: "This is probably the last chance we all have in finding a new way of working together. It is increasingly difficult financially at local level because of cuts at national level. I believe the best way of dealing with the problem is if we all work together, if we cant agree on anything then at least agree to disagree."

The 14-point plan covers public consultations, which the councillors say should run to a common format and always have their results published in full, and York's controversial membership of bodies like the West Yorkshire Combined Authority made more public by the meetings being listed on the council's online calendars.

They have also called for a full review into council structures after the next May's elections, and Cllr Aspden has said he wants to see the authority return to a committee system where decisions are taken by cross-party groups.

 

Alexander says he is prepared to share power with opponents

COUNCIL leader James Alexander has said he would be willing to share executive power with his opponents in other party groups, and has responded to calls for more openness and cross-party agreement.

He said he would be willing to hold meetings with other party leaders, broadcast online, but voiced concern that the opposition parties would strike deals for their own gain.

He said: “People who wanted a more open council will be disappointed to learn that the first action of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat-dominated opposition in a hung council is a back-room deal to divvy up salaried committee chairs between themselves, and my concern is this will become the norm. Labour’s aim is that this practice does not continue.

“Labour has made it quite clear that we are open to a new relationship working with other political groups in the best interests of York residents. This starts with the offer of a cross-party group leaders’ executive meeting to inform decision-making on the big challenges facing York.

“Group leaders will discuss how this will work in the next fortnight. Future meetings will be public and webcast. On Castlegate, Lendal Bridge fines and any other policy that the opposition want to reverse, this is possible under the current make-up of the council, but this will not be possible unless we work together to find alternative cutsin other areas of the council’s services to pay for it.”

 

‘Realistic policies’ in revamped manifesto

LIBERAL Democrat councillors in York have launched their fresh manifesto.

The group published a “Six to Fix” priority list last year, but now has refreshed the manifesto to tackle some of the most controversial council decisions in recent months.

The list includes protecting greenbelt, restoring funding to community centres, stopping the closure of Castlegate, repaying all Lendal Bridge fines, increasing road repair budgets and stopping the 20mph speed limit project, and bringing back winter green bin collections.

Group leader Keith Aspden said: “These are all realistic policies which I will work with Lib Dem councillors and campaigners on between now and next May.

“We also need a more open and transparent council where residents can see what decisions are being made and how their money is being spent.”

Green leader Andy D’Agorne also called for progress on the local plan, adding: “I don’t think any of us have all the answers, but we have to work together to get something that is what the residents want, and will be acceptable to the government inspector.”

Cllr D’Agorne also said he and fellow Green Dave Taylor want work done on the congestion commission. “The Lendal Bridge experiment was badly handled, but we have to move on see what the options are for sustainable transport,” he said.