Cllr Foster named as leader of Green and Independent Group

The group confirmed Cllr Foster’s reappointment at its latest meeting.

In a statement following the vote, the group said it remained focused on “working collectively for communities across North Yorkshire” and avoiding the political divisions seen elsewhere.

Speaking after his re-election, Cllr Foster said the group’s strength came from councillors working together despite differing perspectives.

“Our group works because every member has a voice and every councillor is focused on the same goal — representing the best interests of residents,” he said.

“We work collaboratively, respectfully and as a coalition of people who may not agree on every minor detail but understand that politics should be about service, not civil war.”

The Green & Independent Group said its members included independent and Green councillors from across the county.

Group member Councillor Arnold Warneken, meber for Ouseburn, said the group’s cooperative approach had helped it remain effective.

“We’ve discovered a groundbreaking strategy in North Yorkshire politics — listening to one another, working together and not launching leadership challenges every five minutes,” he said, in a reference to recent turmoil among the controlling Conservative and Independent group.

“But seriously, it’s no surprise to anyone that this gets a lot more done than bickering and in-fighting.”

The group said it would continue focusing on priorities including housing, rural services, transport, cost of living pressures and protecting frontline public services across North Yorkshire.

Cllr Foster added that the group remained committed to what he described as “the radical policy of working peacefully together to get the job done”.