IF THE humility and common sense displayed by Cllr Dafydd Williams in deciding to proactively refund all Lendal Bridge penalties is carried through to other contentious issues, he may well turn out to be the harmonious leader the council desperately needs.

Removing the wedges that have been driven deep between the parties is an obvious place to start. But he must also be aware he is now under scrutiny to ensure the public consultation he has promised extends to listening and reacting.

He should begin with the divisive and unpopular draft Local Plan. Rarely has an issue produced such a vociferous response. The plan is halted over allegations of exaggerated housing demand and a failure to adequately reflect the results of citywide consultation carried out in 2013 and 2014.

More than 25,000 residents have objected to proposals to expose massive swathes of York’s green belt to planning blight.

I suspect Cllr Williams’ declared intention to conduct a mature cross-party debate may be tested sooner than he thinks.

Public and political challenges about lack of objectivity and a failure to take account of public responses are set to take place at the next local plan working group on December 17.

Allan Charlesworth, Old Earswick, York.