The four party group leaders on City of York Council have agreed the arrangements for the leadership of the authority. The Liberal Democrats have formed a minority administration for 12 months and Labour have formed the shadow administration. This was agreed by councillors at the annual meeting of the council on Thursday 24 May.

Some basic themes have been agreed by the four group leaders including:

Committee chairs shall be shared proportionately across members of all political groups

The city must have a workable, durable, speedy and inclusive decision making process. Any structure must be allowed to work for at least 12 months and should be based on an agreed set of policy objectives and milestones.

The decision making process must recognise that voters did not give any party an overall majority and that they may expect to see a 'mix' of policies and personalities.

The new council needs to take a fresh initiative in terms of communicating with, and consulting, its residents and stakeholders.

Changes may be needed to the council's Constitution, which would assist in the running of a balanced council.

The council must have a responsible financial management policy which will be durable. The policy must address known financial pressures on the council's budget.

That there are some difficult financial choices to be made over coming months, including

• job evaluation
• waste management
• increased demand for some services
• pressures on the contingency provision because of the cost to the council of providing older people with free bus travel
• continuing pressure on both adult and children's social care budgets
• resources for the capital programme as well as the need to focus on filling key officer vacancies
• maintaining service quality and getting a sound Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) rating from the government

Policies

The four group leaders have also agreed to try to create a policy consensus on key issues affecting the city and are proposing to introduce a cross party Strategic Policy Panel to look at controversial issues.

New policies to reflect the new political make-up of the council, if agreed, will include:

• removing evening parking charges for residents as soon as is practicable
• the commissioning of a City of York climate change strategy report
• a review of the city's leisure and swimming strategy

Party group leaders

The four party group leaders are:

• Councillor Steve Galloway, Liberal Democrat Group
• Councillor David Scott, Labour Group
• Councillor Ian Gillies, Conservative Group
• Councillor Andy D'Agorne, Green Group

Executive members and portfolios

The Executive of nine Liberal Democrat councillors lead the council’s decision making process.

• Councillor Steve Galloway - leader of the council, incorporating Economic Development and Community Safety
• Councillor Ceredig Jamieson-Ball - Corporate Services
• Councillor Ann Reid - City Strategy
• Councillor Carol Runciman - Children's Services
• Councillor Sue Sunderland - Housing Services
• Councillor Christian Vassie - Leisure and Culture
• Councillor Sue Galloway - Adult Social Services
• Councillor Andrew Waller - Neighbourhood Services
• Councillor Keith Aspden - Youth and Social Inclusion

The first meeting of the newly appointed Executive will be held on Tuesday 12 June 2007

Shadow Executive members and portfolios

Nine Labour councillors form a Shadow Executive.

• Councillor David Scott - leader of the Shadow Executive
• Councillor Janet Looker - Corporate Services
• Councillor Tracey Simpson Laing - City Strategy
• Councillor Dave Merrett - Children's Services
• Councillor David Horton - Housing Services
• Councillor Ken King - Leisure and Culture
• Councillor Sandy Fraser - Adult Social Services
• Councillor Ruth Potter, deputy Leader of the Shadow Executive - Neighbourhood Services
• Councillor Julie Gunnell - Youth and Social Inclusion

The first meeting of the Shadow Executive will be held on Wednesday 6 June 2007.

Lord Mayor of York

Councillor Irene Waudby