THE new leader of City of York Council's Labour Group is planning to offer seats on the Cabinet to the two main opposition party leaders.

Cllr Dafydd Williams said today he will make the offer to Tory group leader Chris Steward and Liberal Democrat Keith Aspden if he is made council leader on December 11.

He said today that if they accept, they will attend Cabinet as non-portfolio members, able to speak and vote on every item of business.

But as they already received allowances as party leaders and would not be carrying out any portfolio work, it was proposed that this would be at no extra expense to the taxpayer.

Cllr Williams said he was determined to change the way politics were conducted in York.

"Members of other parties have often told me that the cabinet system denies them a voice, he said.

"My proposal helps to give them a meaningful voice, without any need for back room deals.

"The personalised abuse, partisan bickering for the sake of appearing different and general lack of professionalism from all sides of the political divide has for too long got in the way of getting things done in York.

"It's time that changed and I hope that Cllr Aspden and Cllr Steward will take the offer in the spirit in which it is intended and join the Cabinet."

Cllr Steward said he welcomed the offer but felt it was 'disappointing' Cllr Williams had publicised it in a press release rather than give opposition groups time to discuss it.

"We need more cross party discussion and working together, rather than Labour rushing to take the credit for being seen to work together," he said.

He added that he would be consulting his group on the offer 'but we are keen to work together for good of York and it looks like this offer may help that.'

Cllr Aspden said the Lib Dems had long called for a different way of working at the council after too many decisions had been made behind-closed-doors and bulldozed through by Labour, against the wishes of local residents.

“We need to see the full detail of today’s offer, but if Cllr Williams is elected council leader next Thursday and brings forward these details, then of course I will happily discuss them with him, my group and other opposition councillors," he said.

"We do need to find a way to get all groups and independent councillors involved in the decision making process in York.”

Cllr Ken King, leader of the council's breakaway Labour Independents group, claimed Cllr Williams had merely instructed officers to write to fined motorists, offering a refund, and this simply was not good enough. 

"I have been advised by officers of the council that we can simply send a refund without any request being made," he said.

"Cllr Williams says he wants to do the right thing about the Lendal Bridge fines but what he proposes only adds more bureaucracy to the process and administrative costs and why?  It can only be in the hope that all those fined won’t claim.

"This is a half-hearted attempt to fool the public that he has listened but he is fooling no one.  As always you have to look closely at the words used and the caveats they contain – more spin.”

Cllr Williams said he was 'struggling to understand where the Labour Independents were coming from', and was very keen to work with them to understand and address their concerns. 

He said that the way the repayment process was undertaken would be a matter for council officers, following the relevant legal advice. "But the important thing is that the public know this announcement is genuine and that they will be able to get their money back," he added.

For details on how to request a refund under the existing arrangements, visit www.york.gov.uk/lendalbridge.