In the latest in a series of columns from York’s four main political parties, Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat group leader, shares the group’s plans ahead of the local elections on May 2

York is a beautiful and unique city, with much to offer.

I am proud to have made this city my home, living in Fulford, since completing my degree and qualifying as a teacher at the University of York.

Since the Liberal Democrats formed a joint administration at the council in 2015, York has continued to develop, and considerable investment has been used to improve the services that matter to local residents.

Over the course of the last four years, we have delivered a number of improvements in the city, despite the significant cuts to the council’s budget by the Government.

This has included an ambitious £20 million investment programme in York’s roads, footpaths and public spaces, to increase funding and address the neglect of our streets by the previous Labour council.

We have worked tirelessly to submit a Local Plan for York, avoiding the risk of Government intervention in York’s future and, if passed, one which will deliver the housing we need in the city, whilst protecting York’s unique character and Greenbelt.

Liberal Democrat councillors have also secured the future of our libraries by appointing an operator to run York’s library service for the next 15 years, with a contract worth £32 million, despite the number of library closures unfortunately taking place elsewhere in the UK.

All of the above, and so much more, has been achieved through the hard work and determination of local, community-focused Liberal Democrat councillors.

Last year, we launched our York 2019 consultation, where we asked residents to share their views and ideas on how to improve the city and their local communities.

Residents feel passionately about protecting and improving York’s frontline services and services which support the most vulnerable in our city.

These values have been cemented in our manifesto, Working for You, Working for York, which is built on our Focus on Five priorities: making York cleaner, greener and smarter; building the homes York needs; creating safer communities; giving York’s children a better start and improving the economy for all.

Some of our key initiatives and pledges outlined in the manifesto include:

Increasing investment in the council’s frontline services, including city-wide improvements for roads and footways.

Setting up a new street environment service to address issues such as fly-tipping and illegal parking.

Delivering more affordable homes, including council-owned properties, to help people in the city find a home.

Creating York’s first climate commission, alongside delivering the UK’s first voluntary clean air zone in York.

Creating a safer communities fund by increasing investment in local communities.

Developing a ‘ready for secondary’ scheme to help more pupils make the successful transition to secondary school

Ensuring a mental health first aider is available for every school.

In York and Westminster, the Labour and Conservative parties are not focused on delivering outcomes and continue to tear themselves apart, ignoring the priorities and aspirations of residents.

Our candidates bring a diverse range of skills and experience to York, including teaching, campaigning in the community, service in the armed forces, science, business and floristry.

As Liberal Democrats, we are determined to continue improving the services that matter to residents.

With more community focused and hardworking Liberal Democrat councillors elected this May, we will deliver on our Focus on Five priorities.

If you want a council focused on your community, that listens and delivers on your priorities, please vote Liberal Democrat on May 2.