Policies

The recently relaunched LIBERAL party in Ryedale believes it would be wrong to claim to have all the answers to the challenges of Ryedale. There are however many areas where the present policies coming out of Ryedale Council are not taking us in the right direction.

Environment

A large rural district with vast numbers of tourists has many conflicting pressures. Ryedale does not have an environment committee. Elected LIBERALS will endeavour to remedy this shortfall.

  • Ryedale will have to review its policies in relation to traffic. Any rise above present levels will cause more pollution, delays and other problems. This must be addressed.
  • Ryedale does not appear to tackle the causes of flooding. Management of floodwater is important but it is not the cause of the problem!
  • Waste recycling is having a pilot scheme. The reason given is so as to achieve a government target. A council like Ryedale should be leading not following or trying to keep up.
  • Ryedale must debate the commercial release of G.M. crops and declare itself a G.M. free zone.

Housing

Second homes are blighting our villages and dales. These houses are not ‘homes’ they are a ‘toy’. The price of housing is driven out of the reach of local young people. Paying Council Tax at reduced rate is ‘morally’ wrong.

  • LIBERALS will call for an increased rate of Council Tax on second homes.
  • Ryedale has a need for more housing for the young and those on low incomes – an increase in ‘social housing’. Ryedale should adopt some form of the Gayssot Law.

Transport

Ryedale must have an Integrated Transport Plan. People without access to a car in the villages are stuck. They are unable to:

  • Use after school/homework clubs
  • Use town based facilities
  • Use over 60’s clubs
  • Go to work and return
  • Attend health appointments

Democracy

Political Apathy is not caused by the public. It is caused by the low level of politics in Ryedale. With some notable exceptions councillors do not produce newsletters or discuss the issues.

‘We elect them and then they are not heard from until the next election’

LIBERALS promise

  • To consult between elections
  • To send out newsletters

Another benefit for the electors is the freedom enjoyed by LIBERAL councillors.

At present the Conservative group on Ryedale District Council meet before meetings. There is nothing wrong with that. Conservative councillors voting the same way on an issue is also OK. They may all be right. Something is suspicious though when they almost always vote the same way on every issue. This is not good for democracy.

Compare this with the liberal view. Of course Liberals usually vote for Liberal policies but there is no party whip. We are opposed to party dogma. Liberals support freedom, democracy and personal conscience.

Click here to visit the national Liberal Party Website

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