Jan 2012—Delays to the Community Stadium planning application were admitted by Council. Winter Grotto was a let down. 400 street lights were removed  by Council-not replaced.

Feb 2012—Labour U turn on manifesto promises. Prioritise vanity projects over front line services. Decisions to be taken in private. Council close Acomb Office. Ward committees were scrapped

March 2012—York “tip tax” bill hits £3 million a year. Burnholme college to close. Ftr moved to Leeds. Dog warden service ended

April 2012—Recycling shambles in Acomb as save Beckfield Lane recycling centre petition snubbed. Centre closes

May 2012—New Lowfields care village plans published. Council announce plans to reduce number of litter bins. Labour confirm 20 mph speed limit project.

June 2012—Olympic torch in York. Hotel planned for St Leonards Place (later abandoned), Community stadium/Monks Cross planning application approved.

July 2012—Ward budget voting scam revealed. Scale of road repair cuts exposed (£1.5 million) Rubbish dumped at York car park. Another Labour Cabinet member is sacked making it two in a year. Elderly lose care services

August 2012—Council spent £1.2 million on consultants. The late Cllr Lynn Jeffries quits Labour. Council refuses to release bus reliability stats.

September 2012—New bus routes announced. Prove to be unpopular and dropped a year later. York Labour MP criticised for £4,500 Olympic hospitality binge. Community stadium saga takes new twist as mega contract announced—big delays expected. York wins Gold in Yorkshire in Bloom contest. Floods hit York

October 2012—Salt bins left empty. Floods recede as Council Leader makes movie. Future of Libraries under discussion (were later  to be hived off to a “social enterprise”). Labour describe York students as “uppity”. Council spends £2.4 million on 2,405 new seats for HQ. Acomb Alive launched

November 2012—Gunpowder Plod fiasco. Labour admit Credit Union mistakes. Council to spend £1.6 million on Shambles market— snub Acomb. Labour Cabinet members take on second jobs. Council announce plans to purchase “arts barge” for £100,000

December 2012—More floods  Care homes plan in disarray.  Council get keys to new HQ. York Archives awarded a £1.6 million improvement grant.

How the Westfield Focus saw the year