Another Labour Councillor has quit meaning that James Alexander’s residual party has now lost overall control of the York Council.
Currently they have 23 of the 47 seats with one vacancy to be filled in the Westfield by election on 16th October.
At least two other Labour Councillors may also resign the party whip, so the Council will be looking for a new way of doing things at least until May 2015 when “all out” elections take place.
It is not surprising that councillors, who have lived in the City for many years, have been alienated by a secretive and authoritarian style of leadership.
Couple this with some rank bad decisions (Lendal Bridge, 20 mph zones, a “Big City” Local Plan, neglect of residential areas, reckless borrowing etc. ) and you had the formulae for failure.
The York Council faces a difficult few months.
It must set a budget for an election year, try to find a consensus on a new Local Plan and deal with endemic failure in service areas such as social care.
It is difficult not to conclude that a new Leader is required.
It needs someone with experience who is untainted by the failures of the present administration but who has the skills to find a consensus.
He or she will need to establish a new structure where decisions are taken after proper consultation, where there is open discussion and where conclusions have as widely based support as possible.
It is probably not practical to return to a “committee” system for the remainder of this Council but a step forward would be for all groups to be represented on the Councils Cabinet and for “scrutiny committees” to have real power and the ability to change decisions.
Interesting days ahead.
