A SURGE in the number of independent candidates has seen 10 individuals put themselves forward for the City of York Council election.

The candidates include existing and former councillors standing for re-election, and new faces who have not served on the council before.

But the independents have been excluded from many husting events, leading to some arranging their own event so voters have as much chance to learn about them as the party representatives.

Former independent councillor Janet Hopton will chair the meeting, which had been organised by another former councillor Liz Edge.

Mrs Hopton said many independents felt there was no place in local government for party politics, which should be dominated only by what was best for the city.

She added: "We speak directly for wards we represent, and are able to have a good discussion.

"We can work towards solutions without any party political view points coming in to it.

"In local councils, it's the local issues that matter and some of them are very important."

There are thousands of independent councillors who work hard across the country, she added, with areas like Richmondshire in North Yorkshire even controlling the authority.

And even though some of the candidates have joined for this event, they are keen to stress they are still individuals and not a new group, and could stop the party political views dominating in York, Mrs Hopton said.

Clifton councillors Ken King and David Scott are both running for re-election as independents, as is Cllr Brian Watson in Guildhall ward and Cllr Joe Watt in Rural West York.

All four will be at the event, as will Gordon Campbell–Thomas who is standing in the Guildhall ward, and former councillor Christian Vassie, fighting the Holgate seat.

The meeting is on Friday, April 24 at 7pm at the CVS centre, Priory Street, off Micklegate; with opportunity for the candidates to talk about their views and a chance for people to speak informally to their independent candidates.

Elsewhere in the city, current independent Osbaldwick councillor Mark Warters is campaigning in the new Osbaldwick and Derwent ward; Bishopthorpe Road shopkeeper Johnny Hayes is fighting the Micklegate ward, Carole Green is campaigning in Bishopthorpe, and Neil Wyatt is campaigning for the Haxby and Wigginton ward.