I AM delighted that we have announced all our candidates for May’s local elections (The Press, March 9).

Our six key policy themes will form the basis of our full manifesto to be launched in April. At the heart of this is a commitment to listen to residents.

There is a disconnect between what ordinary residents want and what the Labour council does. Councillors are needed who understand and champion their local community. All Liberal Democrats are committed to this principle.

Our other themes focus on prioritising valued frontline services (cut again by the recent Labour-Green Budget), protecting York’s green belt, investing in our young people as well as supporting jobs and apprenticeships.

We have also reconfirmed our ambition to make York the greenest city in the north. If elected in May, the first step we would take is to scrap plans in the Labour-Green Budget to charge residents for all garden waste (green bin) collections.

I believe we have the right candidates and policies for York.

Cllr Carol Runciman (Huntington and New Earswick), Chairman Liberal Democrat group, Earswick Chase, York.