Labour's 2011 Manifesto for York and surrounding villages

To read the full version of our manifesto then download the PDF verison. To read the brief version then download its PDF verison.

Labour will provide Leadership

where the Lib Dems have failed

Labour will make it a priority to foster good partnerships with business, public agencies and the voluntary sector.

We will place York's cultural and heritage assets at the centre of York's economic future. Labour will...

  • Attract businesses and and new jobs to York
  • Support our businesses
  • Make York a gateway to Yorkshire
  • Improve the quality of our public spaces
  • Deliver more affordable housing with consultation

Getting York Moving Again

Labour will be tough on congestion without a congestion charge

Getting around York is increasingly difficult, with more and more traffic clogging up our roads while bus services have deteriorated.

Labour will...

  • Get rid of the ftr purple buses
  • Invest in required cycle routes
  • Use new powers to demand better bus services
  • Introduce a one bus trip, one bus ticket scheme
  • Reduce 'school run' traffic by introducing enforceable travel plans
  • Support 20mph speed limits in residential areas
  • Tackling poor air quality
  • Increase the number of park and ride sites

Protecting our Environment

Labour will install a 24 hour 'Smarter York' hotline to report 'grotspots'

The Lib Dems have failed to provide any leadership on the need for York to play its part in tackling climate change.

Labour believes York's unique environment should be protected and we will make it a priority.

Labour will...

  • Make York a recognised centre for green jobs
  • Create more green public spaces
  • Conduct a full green audit of the council - including vehicles and property
  • Increase the amount we recycle
  • Advertise assisted waste collection services to elderly residents
  • Reduce the council's energy use

Listening to Residents

Labour will introduce resident service guarantees

The Lib Dems promised to look after your money and instead they wasted it.

Last year they spent thousands of pounds consulting you and then not listening.

Labour will make consultation genuine, making sure people are aware of what they can and can't expect from the council.

Labour will...

  • Introduce a contract with residents over levels of service
  • Make the council respond to all complaints within 5 working days
  • Set up a Fairness Commission, chaired by an independent person to consult with residents face to face, setting in motion a transformation in our public services
  • Help to move disused or derelict buildings into community use

Improving Education & Increasing Training

Labour will create apprenticeships to help tackle youth unemployment

York's schools are good and until recently were funded well by the Labour Government.

But there are still too many young people not getting the qualifications they need to get jobs or further training. Labour will seek to improve results across the board, but in particular for those in danger of not fulfilling their potential.

Labour will...

  • Target resources at children who are not achieving
  • Seek to increase apprenticeships
  • Encourage community groups to use schools after hours
  • Retrain adult workers using college and school premises

Ambitious About Jobs and the Economy

Labour will attract new jobs to York for local residents

The Lib Dems have failed to secure York's future in a competitive jobs market.

Besides wasting your money on ill-thought out schemes, they have failed to make progress on the Teardrop and British Sugar sites - both vital to the city's future prosperity.

Labour will...

  • Expand the creative industries in York
  • Work with Science City to make York a national technology centre to bring manufacturing jobs
  • Create a cultural quarter to attract jobs and tourism
  • Invest in heritage skills to make York a centre for stonemasonry and glassmaking
  • Revitalise the city in the early evening
  • Hold an annual conference for business

Getting Serious about Crime

Labour will call an annual crime summit involving residents

York is seen as a low crime area but some areas of York suffer more than others.

Crime and fear of crime can can blight lives whilst denting community spirit.

Labour will tackle vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Labour will...

  • Create a high level post to tackle crime and community safety
  • Reinforce the noise patrol team with dedicated police officers
  • Make those responsible for vandalism repair the damage or clean up graffiti

It's Your Choice on May 5th:

Vote Labour

  • Protecting £1m of local services with Labour

    or cutting £21m of local services which the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives agreed to

  • Tackling crime with Labour

    or cutting police numbers with the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives

  • Cutting waste with Labour

    or paying £1.4m for a second new council office the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives want

  • Easing traffic problems with Labour

    or more opposition from Liberal Democrats and Conservatives to Labour plans to improve buses