East Riding Liberal Action

​Some welcome progress, but discharge hours remain a major concern. ​Cllr Phil Redshaw, Lib Dem Ward Councillor for Cottingham North and Group Spokesperson for Environment and Transport, will question Yorkshire Water about sewage and wastewater discharges and future water security when the company appears before East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Environment & Regeneration Committee on 2nd September 2026. ​The committee meeting provides an opportunity to seek clear, measurable commitments from Yorkshire Water while holding them to account for their recent performance. ​Cllr Redshaw will welcome the 27% reduction in storm-overflow incidents across Hull and the East Riding compared to the base year of 2021, but the number of incidents isn't anywhere close to the whole story. ​"The key issue is not simply the number of incidents, but the duration of the discharges," says Cllr Redshaw. ​If you look at the performance of all water companies in E...

​The government has launched a national consultation on new measures to combat fly-tipping, including "clean-up squads," conditional cautions requiring unpaid work, and a maximum on-the-spot fine increase to £5,000. ​While the East Riding Liberal Democrats welcome tougher penalties, local representatives and national spokespeople argue that more must be done to protect communities from organised waste criminals. ​ Local and National Perspectives ​Councillor Phil Redshaw, East Riding Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson, emphasised the need for comprehensive local enforcement: ​ "Fly-tipping is a blight on our communities and countryside, and local people are right to say enough is enough. I’ve been campaigning for stronger action against fly-tipping in East Yorkshire for some years, so I welcome this new focus. Increased fines are very welcome and should act as a real deterrent, making people think twice before dumping waste illegally. But we mus...

It is becoming increasingly difficult to understand what the Government actually means when it talks about devolution. ​On one hand, Westminster speaks fluently about taking power away from Whitehall and handing it to the regions. Yet, when it comes to planning in the East Riding, we are witnessing the exact opposite. Local powers are being steadily stripped from democratically elected councillors and concentrated upward into the hands of regional mayors and unelected officers. ​For residents across towns from Bridlington to Beverley, this marks a worrying democratic retreat. ​ The Squeeze on Local Democracy ​The contradictions are piling up fast. At the local level, changes to planning schemes of delegation have meant that routine, smaller planning applications are increasingly determined by council officers rather than the people you vote for. ​Now, the government has pushed ahead with plans giving regional mayors new powers to "call in" major planning applicati...

​An ongoing disparity in concessionary travel has sparked fresh criticism, with the East Riding Liberal Democrats condemning the continuation of peak-time travel restrictions for older residents as an unfair "postcode lottery." ​While the central government recently announced plans to universally scrap the 9:30 am travel restriction for disabled pass holders across England, this exemption does not automatically extend to the older person's bus pass. Instead, older pass holders remain bound by local council discretion, creating a fractured system across neighboring regions., ​While national funding subsidises off-peak bus travel, permitting free travel from 9:30 am to 11:00 pm on weekdays, and all day on weekends and bank holidays, a growing number of local authorities have chosen to go further. Authorities such as Hull City Council and North Lincolnshire have removed weekday start-time restrictions entirely, allowing older residents to catch buses earlier. ​Ho...

​The York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has formally confirmed the permanent closure of the Bridlington Care Unit (BCU). Originally established in 2021 as a temporary step-down facility during the COVID-19 pandemic to manage patient discharge pressures from Scarborough Hospital, the 28-bed ward has been slated for closure as funding transitions toward a community-based model of care. ​Trust executives and health chiefs, including Chief Operating Officer Claire Hanson and Care Group Director Dr Ed Smith, have defended the transition. They argue that shifting care directly back into the community helps prevent the physical deconditioning often associated with prolonged stays in traditional hospital settings. While health leaders emphasise that Bridlington Hospital remains a valued asset, pointing to recent expansions in planned surgery and outpatient services, the decision has ignited widespread pushback from local residents, healthcare staff, and electe...

​Disabled people in East Riding and across England will soon be able to travel by bus for free at any time of the day, following a major announcement from the government.   Tom Gordon MP (Lib Dem) and Jackie Snape, Chief Executive of Disability Action Yorkshire. ​The decision marks a massive victory for campaigners, concluding a nearly two-year parliamentary battle led by Yorkshire Liberal Democrat MP, Tom Gordon. Previously, disabled bus pass holders faced strict weekday limitations, being unable to use their passes freely during peak morning hours, which created heavy barriers for those trying to commute to work, education, or early appointments.   ​Reflecting on the milestone, Tom Gordon MP shared his excitement: ​ "After nearly two years campaigning on this in Parliament - handing in a petition, grilling ministers at the despatch box, speaking in debates, tabling my amendment to the Bus Bill and forcing it to a vote, meeting with the Bus Minister - we...

​Local councillors in the East Riding are actively encouraging resident involvement as the East Riding of Yorkshire Council invites people to share their views on cycling and walking improvements through a new regional survey. ​The local authority is calling for community participation to help determine what facilities are necessary across the area to support cyclists and pedestrians. The initiative aims to encourage more people to take up active travel for regular journeys to work, school, and local services. ​Residents are being asked to identify new routes or paths for walking, wheeling, or cycling, highlight areas requiring upgrades, or propose solutions for existing transport issues. ​Suggestions may include: -​A new footway or cycleway -​New road crossings for pedestrians and cyclists -​New cycle parking -​Changes or improvements to an existing facility -​Dropped kerbs and tactile paving ​-Better street lighting ​The survey platform features an interactive map allowin...

Civic Leaders Praise Goole as Town Hosts Historic Yorkshire Day Celebrations ​Goole had the great honour of hosting Yorkshire Day, marking the same year as the town celebrated its 200th birthday. ​Town Mayor of Goole, Cllr Kevin Flynn, hosted civic dignitaries from across the region as Goole stood at the heart of Yorkshire for the Official Yorkshire Day Civic Celebration, organised by Goole Town Council on behalf of The Yorkshire Society. As part of the town's bicentenary celebrations, Goole welcomed civic leaders and guests from across the county to celebrate Yorkshire's rich heritage, history, and traditions. ​The Yorkshire Day Parade passed through the town centre, followed by a Civic Service at St John's Church that was open to everyone. The celebrations later continued in West Park, where the Goole & East Riding Community Concert Band performed as crowds relaxed and enjoyed an afternoon of live music. The community came out for the parade, s...

​Hundreds of schoolchildren across the East Riding who are newly entitled to free school meals from September could miss out simply because their families do not realise they qualify. ​The expansion in eligibility lifts the previous £7,400 income threshold to include all households receiving Universal Credit, even if you didn’t qualify before. The Government estimates this change will extend free school meals to over half a million additional pupils nationwide, potentially saving families up to £495 per child every year and lifting around 12,500 children out of poverty in East Riding.  Howeve, the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) suggests that 55% of eligible Universal Credit parents were unaware their children would now qualify. Relying on overloaded local authorities such as East Riding of Yorkshire and schools to spread the word is not enough and more needs to be done to ensure no child misses out.  ​"With so many local families across the East Riding continuin...

With the increasing risk of extreme weather and localised flooding, local representatives are appealing to residents to step forward to help set up and establish a team of Flood Wardens under the East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s (ERYC) scheme. ​Because Bridlington does not currently have active Flood Wardens in place, local Councillors and the Lib Dem team are backing a recruitment drive to build a local network from the ground up to ensure the town is prepared for future severe weather. ​Once established, these volunteer wardens will serve as the community’s "eyes and ears" during flooding events. They will monitor local water levels, report potential hazards, and pass real-time updates directly to local authorities and emergency planners. Beyond active weather events, wardens will also raise awareness about flood risks, helping neighbors better prepare their homes and businesses. ​ "The Flood Wardens will provide an invaluable service to Bridlington once...

​After nearly a year and a half of serving local literature lovers, Old Town Books on Bridlington’s historic High Street has announced it will be closing its doors permanently. The independent bookshop's final day of trading will be Saturday 15th August. ​Opened in March 2025 by local resident Rebecca Gaines, the shop was the realisation of a personal dream and a bold leap of faith. It quickly established itself as a cherished hub in Bridlington Old Town, giving the community a vibrant local alternative to online multinational retailers.The shop was recognised for its unique contribution to the Bridlington community, winning the Hidden Gem category at the Bridlington Business Awards in January 2026. ​"It is always deeply saddening to see a local business close its doors, especially one that brought such warmth and community spirit to our historic High Street," "Rebecca took a wonderful chance on her dream, and Old Town Books truly added someth...

East Riding Liberal Democrats extend their warm thanks and congratulations to the council's housing team. A recent external inspection commended East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Housing Services for delivering high standards and excellent service to local tenants. ​In April, the local authority received a 'C2' rating from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), the council's first assessment under the regulator’s new consumer standards framework.  Of the four levels available C1-C4 East Riding achieved the second from top. ​ High Performance Across Key Standards ​Inspectors evaluated the housing team across four primary consumer standards: -​Neighbourhood and Community ​-Safety and Quality ​-Tenancy ​Transparency, Influence, and Accountability ​The inspection reported high levels of performance in essential health and safety compliance, alongside effective ongoing maintenance and strong tenant satisfaction. Furthermore, inspectors noted that tenancy options...

​Local councillors have welcomed new plans to build much-needed affordable homes in Bridlington. However, they are warning that local services, like schools, doctors, and roads, must be improved to support the town's growth. The project is being run directly by East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The proposed site covers 13 acres of farmland off Bempton Lane, just north of Nostell Way. The estate will offer a mix of 1- to 4-bedroom homes. These will be available for both social rent and shared ownership, making it easier for local people to get a place to live. ​ High Demand for Homes ​The council says there is a big shortage of affordable housing in the area. In September 2024, 1,715 households were on the waiting list to live in Bridlington, with 914 of them classed as being in urgent housing need. ​Although new houses have been built in Bridlington over the past few years, very few of them were affordable: ​2019 to 2024: Only 44 new affordable homes were built by devel...

The East Riding Liberal Democrats are encouraging residents across the region to take part in a crucial public consultation as East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) begins preparing its new Local Plan. ​The council has officially published its timetable for creating the framework, which will set out long-term development strategies for the region, allocate sites for new housing and employment, and serve as the primary guide for future planning applications and local investment decisions. Once adopted, the fresh strategy will replace the 2025 Local Plan Update. ​The planning process is being initiated under the government’s new 30-month Local Plan system, designed to create a faster, more streamlined approach to regional development. ​The first stage of the process, a public scoping consultation, is now open and will run until Monday, 31 August 2026. This initial phase invites feedback on key planning issues that must be addressed, how the strategy will align w...

​Cross-party talks on the future of adult social care have shown early signs of promise, bringing hope that decades of policy failure could finally come to an end, a move that local campaigners say is crucial for the financial health of East Riding. ​Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey entered discussions with the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham; pressing for a long-overdue national solution to the crisis facing social care and unpaid family carers. "A Constructive Start" to a Long-Standing Crisis ​Reflecting on the initial discussions, Liberal Democrat Leader, Ed Davey MP expressed cautious optimism about the direction of the talks while emphasising that real progress will require compromise from all sides: ​“We had a constructive call, and I come out of it feeling hopeful. Clearly this is just the beginning and we will need many more cross-party meetings to find consensus. Everyone will have to accept things we might not like in order to work together, but I think tha...

Local councillors and campaigners have warmly welcomed the news that Goole’s iconic Centenary Clock Tower has officially been awarded Grade II listed status by Historic England. ​The national recognition arrives at a momentous milestone for the area, coinciding directly with Goole’s bicentenary celebrations. Grade II status is reserved for buildings and structures of special architectural or historic interest, ensuring the landmark is granted strong legal protection for generations to come. ​The decision was confirmed on Friday, 18 July. Speaking on the listing, representatives from the Goole Civic Society praised the timing, describing it as "perfect" ahead of the town's major 200-year anniversary weekend. ​ Protecting Local Heritage ​The formal application for listed status was submitted several months ago by Stephen Walker on behalf of the Goole Civic Society, whose dedicated efforts helped secure the national landmark designation. ​Completed in...

​​Bridlington residents will soon have direct, face-to-face access to a wide range of essential local services under a new Community Hub pilot launching on Monday, August 3. Services on offer include housing advice, community safety, health and wellbeing, employment and skills, money advice, addiction support and community activities ​The initiative has drawn strong backing from local representatives, who view the hub as a major step forward for accessible public support. ​" Bringing these vital services together under one roof makes it significantly easier for people in our town to get the help they need," "Whether someone needs financial advice, support with housing, or just wants to find out what community activities are happening nearby, this pilot provides a welcoming space where residents can speak directly to people who can help." Cllr Angie Walker -Bridlington Town Council ​" This community hub is a fantastic example of the Clear, H...