North Yorkshire mayor candidate: Kevin Foster

Kevin Foster is one of six candidates standing to be York and North Yorkshire's first mayor

Kevin Foster is the Green Party's candidate for the upcoming vote.

He was elected to North Yorkshire Council in May 2022.

A former soldier he is the council's armed forces champion and also leads the Green group on the authority.

He believes green policies can be job creators

Mr Foster says the main plank of his campaign is to use the push for the area to hit net zero by 2030 to boost the economy.

He believed the plan can be used to attract new jobs and investment.

The Green Party candidate says he wants to promote York and North Yorkshire as an ideal place to nurture and grow innovative, environmentally-friendly businesses.

Mr Foster says he is also committed to working with other political parties.

No promise on A64 but he wants more done on public transport

Mr Foster says York and North Yorkshire’s public transport system is “failing”.

He says improving it is vital so people can benefit from all the region’s opportunities, particularly employment and education, without relying on access to a car.

On the calls for more of the A64 to be turned into dual carriageway, he says he will not make promises he cannot keep.

Instead wants a more detailed debate about how money could be invested in other forms of transport.

He wants more money to help keep people safe

Mr Foster says he has experience in reducing crime when working for the Ministry of Defence as a security manager and a dog handler.

He says he would lobby the government for more money for the fire and rescue service to deal with flooding problems, which he says is a direct result of the climate crisis.

He said he would carefully select and closely work with the deputy mayor who would be responsible for police and fire.

Greener homes can be cheaper homes, he says

Mr Fosters says affordable housing and high standards for insulation and renewable energy heating systems are vital.

He says people need safe, warm homes that are cheap to run and good for the environment.

He also supports the £50m York Central brownfield redevelopment.

In his own words