2011 runner up needs just 139 extra votes to win critical seat
Former Council Leader and long term Westfield Ward representative, Andrew Waller is the Liberal Democrat choice to contest the Westfield ward by election on Thursday 16th October.
A vacancy was caused by the recent death of Cllr Lynn Jeffries.
The impact of the election is likely to be felt far beyond the boundaries of the Westfield ward with the Council currently tied.
23 Labour Councillors face 23 opposition party representatives since another Councillor quit the Labour Group last week.
Who ever wins the by election will influence whether Labour regain an overall majority or whether opposition groups – when they vote together – will be able to defeat them.
There has been some speculation that a LibDem win would mean the Councils Cabinet being restructured to ensure that all parties have a seat round the table.
In 2011 Andrew Waller came within 140 votes of retaining the seat which had previously been held by the Liberal Democrats.
Andrew, 45, was councillor for the ward until May 2011. Since then he has kept in touch with people issuing a regular FOCUS newsletter. He has kept working for the local community and recently completed a 6000 household doorstep public opinion survey.
Andrew lives in the heart of the ward on Askham Lane, and is Treasurer of Chapelfields Community Association (which runs Sanderson House Community Centre), and a School Governor at both the Westfield Primary and York High Schools.
He has worked for Rowntrees and Great North Eastern Railway in the past.
He jointly set up the Acomb Traders Association (Acomb Alive!) which promotes business in the Front Street shopping area.
He has campaigned on local services, including protecting community centres, and Energise Sports Centre.
A keen cyclist, he is often spotted in his distinctive yellow jacket around the ward recording problems that need sorting out.
A fuller biography is available by clicking here
