Photo: Derek Voller · CC BY-SA 2.0Labour holds a majority on the City of York Council
York is run by the City of York Council. Labour has a majority on the City of York Council. Most of York is in York Central (MP Rachael Maskell, Labour); 24% of residents are in York Outer (MP Mr Luke Charters, Labour).
£2,276
Band D, a year, the middle band every council sets its tax from.
Where it goes →How York’s politics has changed since 2021
A majority on the City of York Council
Labour holds a majority on the City of York Council: 24 of its 47 seats as elected. The Liberal Democrats hold 19, the Conservatives 3 and independents 1. Who’s in charge ↓
Council tax
A Band D bill in York is £2,270 for 2026–27; the City of York Council keeps 80% of it. The council area’s Band D has risen 53% in ten years, against England’s 56%. Council money ↓
Written from the data on this page: Democracy Club results since May 2021, the UK Parliament Members API and MHCLG council tax.
Who holds the seats
Seats by party as elected. A party needs 24 of York’s 47 seats to run the council alone.
- Labour24
- Liberal Democrat19
- Conservative3
- Independent1
Latest election: May 2023.
Seats are counted from election results: each ward’s most recent winners until its seats are filled. Councillors who have since changed party or resigned aren’t reflected, and which parties lead the council, and who is leader, comes from the council itself.
Results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), elections since May 2021; seats per ward from its EveryElection.
The councils that run York
One council runs every main service here.
The parish council for the part of York inside Rawcliffe parish.
4% of York’s residents · Band D precept £24
The parish council for the part of York inside Clifton Without parish.
Who runs York: same source as Who runs York, above.
The parish council for the part of York inside Heslington parish.
Who runs York: same source as Who runs York, above.
The parish council for the part of York inside Fulford parish.
Who runs York: same source as Who runs York, above.
Every main council service: schools, social care, roads, bins, planning, housing and libraries.
Website ↗Transport, skills and regeneration across several council areas. It is led by an elected mayor.
Mayor: David Skaith (Labour and Co-operative), elected May 2024
Who to ask
From GOV.UK’s “Understand how your council works”: here one council runs every main service.
83% of York’s residents live outside any parish, with no parish council.
Councils from ONS lookups (wards and councils May 2026, parishes 2025), names and websites from GOV.UK’s local council finder; parish councils from MHCLG’s 2026–27 list of precepting parishes.
From the parish to Westminster
Every elected tier that speaks for York, from the most recent elections.
- 1Town or parish4 parish councilsRawcliffe parish councilClifton Without parish councilHeslington parish councilFulford parish council
- 2City of York Council13 wards · 32 councillorsLabour 26 · Liberal Democrat 8 · all 34
- 3Mayor of York and North Yorkshire Combined AuthorityYork and North Yorkshire Combined Authority · elected May 2024David Skaith
- 4Police and crime commissionerNorth Yorkshire Police · elected November 2021Zoe Metcalfe
- 5House of CommonsSplit between 2 constituencies
Party colours are neutral on purpose: they tell parties apart and aren’t the parties’ own. Tap an MP’s name for their contact page on parliament.uk.
32 councillors for 13 wards
Wards with at least 2% of the town’s residents, or half their own inside it. Each shows who won its most recent elections, newest first, until its seats are filled.
- Rachel MellyLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Tony ClarkeLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Dave MerrettLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Andrew WallerLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Jo ColesLabour · May 2023
- Emily NelsonLabour · May 2023
- John MoroneyLabour and Co-operative · July 2024 · by-election
- Sophie KellyLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Anna BaxterLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Michael PavlovicLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Anna Catherine PerrettLabour · January 2026 · by-election
- Claire Elizabeth DouglasLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Ben BurtonLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Bob WebbLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Jonny CrawshawLabour · May 2023
- Pete KilbaneLabour · May 2023
- Jane Frances BurtonLabour · May 2023
- Darryl Joshua SmalleyLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Derek WannLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Sam WaudbyLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Kallum TaylorLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Jenny KentLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Lucy Steels-WalshawLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Stephen FentonLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Paula WiddowsonLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Ashley MasonLiberal Democrat · May 2023
- Sarah WilsonLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Conrad WhitcroftLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Danny MyersLabour · May 2023
- Margaret WellsLabour · May 2023
- Katie LomasLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Jason RoseLabour and Co-operative · May 2023
- Nigel AyreLiberal Democrat · May 2023
The other 1 wards
- Kate RaviliousLabour · May 2023
Show as a table
| Ward | Seats | Elected | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guildhallall in York · 14,549 residents3 seats · May 2023 | 3 | Rachel MellyTony ClarkeDave Merrett | May 2023 |
| Westfieldall in York · 13,977 residents3 seats · May 2023 | 3 | Andrew WallerJo ColesEmily Nelson | May 2023 |
| Hull Roadmostly in York · 13,435 residents3 seats · July 2024, May 2023 | 3 | John Moroneyby-electionSophie KellyAnna BaxterMichael Pavlovic | July 2024, May 2023 |
| Heworthall in York · 13,432 residents3 seats · January 2026, May 2023 | 3 | Anna Catherine Perrettby-electionClaire Elizabeth DouglasBen BurtonBob Webb | January 2026, May 2023 |
| Micklegateall in York · 12,403 residents3 seats · May 2023 | 3 | Jonny CrawshawPete KilbaneJane Frances Burton | May 2023 |
| Rawcliffe & Clifton Withoutall in York · 12,337 residents3 seats · May 2023 | 3 | Darryl Joshua SmalleyDerek WannSam Waudby | May 2023 |
| Holgateall in York · 11,963 residents3 seats · May 2023 | 3 | Kallum TaylorJenny KentLucy Steels-Walshaw | May 2023 |
| Dringhouses & Woodthorpeall in York · 11,490 residents3 seats · May 2023 | 3 | Stephen FentonPaula WiddowsonAshley Mason | May 2023 |
| Fishergateall in York · 9,559 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Sarah WilsonConrad Whitcroft | May 2023 |
| Cliftonall in York · 9,420 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Danny MyersMargaret Wells | May 2023 |
| Acomball in York · 9,111 residents2 seats · May 2023 | 2 | Katie LomasJason Rose | May 2023 |
| Heworth Withoutall in York · 4,080 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Nigel Ayre | May 2023 |
| Fulford & Heslingtonmostly in York · 3,815 residents1 seat · May 2023 | 1 | Kate Ravilious | May 2023 |
Councillors can resign, change party or sit as independents between elections; a by-election winner replaces someone not named here. City of York Council’s website lists who sits now.
Results from Democracy Club’s candidates database (CC BY 4.0; elections since May 2021) and ward seats from its EveryElection, matched to ONS wards (May 2026) and county divisions (May 2025).
York council election, May 2023
Results in the wards that make up York, as declared. Percentages are of votes cast for candidates in each ward; where a ward elects several councillors, each voter has that many votes.
13 wards voted. Every seat in the town’s wards was up.
No election is scheduled yet for York’s wards in Democracy Club’s list. Councils publish a notice of election about five weeks before polling day.
Who can I vote for? ↗8,529 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
9,657 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
6,909 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
Every ward’s result (10 more)
8,528 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
12,527 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
10,651 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
9,471 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
10,741 votes for candidates · 3 seats, so 3 votes each
5,264 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
3,999 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
4,201 votes for candidates · 2 seats, so 2 votes each
1,560 votes for candidates
1,434 votes for candidates
Candidates and results: Democracy Club (CC BY 4.0), from councils’ declared results; polling dates from Democracy Club’s EveryElection.
York is split between 2 constituencies
The constituencies’ MP and the 4 July 2024 general election, the whole constituency’s result.
Labour, MP since 7 May 2015
76% of York’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 54% (England 60%).
Majority 19,154 of 43,323 votes (44.2%): wider than in 98% of England’s 543 constituencies.
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024
24% of York’s residents live in this constituency.
Turnout 67% (England 60%).
Majority 9,391 of 51,106 votes (18.4%): wider than in 64% of England’s 543 constituencies.
43,323 votes for candidates · majority 19,154
Labour, MP since 7 May 2015.
turnout in July 2024: 43,323 votes from 79,557 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 19,154 of 43,323 votes (44.2%): wider than in 98% of England’s 543 constituencies.
York Outer
51,106 votes for candidates · majority 9,391
Labour, MP since 4 July 2024.
turnout in July 2024: 51,106 votes from 76,228 registered voters. England: 60%.
Majority 9,391 of 51,106 votes (18.4%): wider than in 64% of England’s 543 constituencies.
MPs and results: UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0); constituencies from ONS (2024 boundaries). Percentages are of valid votes; turnout is votes cast over the electorate.
York’s Band D council tax is £2,270 a year
Where a Band D bill goes, what it has cost over the years, and what the councils plan to spend per resident.
City of York Council keeps £1,817.43 of a Band D bill (80%); the rest goes to the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Across the whole town the average Band D is £2,276 (parishes differ; weighted by residents).
Band D since 1993
York’s Band D bill has risen 53% in ten years, from £1,493.79 in 2016–17, against England’s average (56%). It was £516.38 in 1993–94.
Your bill by band
A Band D home in the unparished part of York, 2026–27, before discounts. The Valuation Office Agency’s band search gives any home’s band.
North Yorkshire’s councils
Average Band D in each council area, 2026–27, parish precepts included. Bars start at £2,100.
Council budgets per resident, 2026–27
Show as a table, with North Yorkshire
| York | York’s councils | North Yorkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult social care | £456 | £511 | £487 |
| Children’s social care | £156 | £255 | £290 |
| Roads and transport | £18 | £47 | £41 |
| Housing (not council homes’ rents) | £38 | £43 | £61 |
| Bins, street cleaning, environment | £91 | £146 | £119 |
| Libraries, leisure, culture | £28 | £48 | £44 |
| Planning and development | £22 | £23 | £26 |
| Public health | £55 | £74 | £78 |
| Running the council | £67 | £67 | £59 |
| Other | £0 | £10 | £19 |
| Total, schools apart | £931 | £1,224 | £1,234 |
Net budgeted service spending, MHCLG Revenue Account budget 2026–27, per resident (ONS mid-2025 estimates). Schools are left out: academies are paid for directly by government, so council school budgets depend on how many schools have converted. North Yorkshire and England: all their councils together. Police, fire and transport authorities aren’t included.
Band D: MHCLG Band D council tax 2026–27 (each authority’s own figure, excluding parish precepts) and Council Tax statistics for town and parish councils 2026–27; since 1993–94, MHCLG’s area averages including parishes.
Having a say in how York is run
It takes about five minutes online; the deadline is 12 working days before a poll.
gov.uk ↗Type a postcode to write to each of its councillors and its MP.
WriteToThem ↗GOV.UK sends the report to the council that looks after the road.
gov.uk ↗Council and committee meetings are open to the public, with agendas and minutes online.
york.gov.uk ↗Anyone can comment while an application is open for consultation.
york.gov.uk ↗The rules, nomination papers and guidance for council candidates.
Electoral Commission ↗Questions about how York is run
Does York have a town council?
Parts of it do: Rawcliffe parish council, Clifton Without parish council, Heslington parish council and Fulford parish council.
Who is the MP for York?
York is split between 2 constituencies: York Central (Rachael Maskell, Labour) and York Outer (Mr Luke Charters, Labour). Parliament’s Find your MP service matches a postcode to its MP.
How many councillors does York have?
32 ward councillors represent York’s 13 wards.
When are the next elections in York?
No election is scheduled yet in Democracy Club’s list for York’s wards. The next UK general election must be held by August 2029.
How much is council tax in York?
Band D council tax in York is £2,276 for 2026–27. Your bill depends on your home’s band, from A (6/9 of Band D) to H (18/9).
Who controls the City of York Council?
Labour has a majority: 24 of 47 seats as elected. The council’s website lists who leads it now.
Who won the 2023 council election in York?
In York’s wards on 4 May 2023, Labour 24 · Liberal Democrat 8 of the 32 seats up. Labour had the largest share of votes, 53.1%.
Sources: ONS ward, county division, parish, constituency lookups (Census 2021 output areas; Open Government Licence v3.0) · GOV.UK local council finder · Democracy Club candidates (CC BY 4.0) and EveryElection · UK Parliament Members API (Open Parliament Licence v3.0) · MHCLG Band D council tax, parish precepts and Revenue Account budgets 2026–27 (OGL v3.0) · ONS mid-2025 population estimates. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.