The city council's Labour Group has announced it has created a new role within the party - that of Environment representative. Labour leader Coun. David Scott said he felt it was important to have the role so that a group member could take a view on each policy area with the environment in mind. He said:

"Whilst we have always sought to consider the environmental impact of our policy choices, I felt it would benefit our policy formation to have this as a stand alone role in which someone could consider the implications of our decision-making from another perspective. I'm delighted to announce that Coun. Ruth Potter has been successfully elected to this position and will bring plenty of experience and knowledge to the role".

Coun. Potter said:

"Labour as a party has always been concerned with protecting the environment as one aspect of fighting for a more just and equal society. The protection of the environment plays a major role in achieving that as the national policy agenda has demonstrated over recent years. Having successfully fought to get the council to extend recycling facilities to everyone in the city, ban plastic bags and to minimise waste, I feel I have the experience to show that this will be a very meaningful role I will play for Labour in York. ".