MEMBERS of Ryedale District Council’s policy and resources committee will hear behind closed doors how property speculators have had their eye on the centre of Malton.

The chief executive, Harold Mosley, is due to report to councillors on the subject of land at Wentworth Street. What he has to say will be said away from the public and press as under the Local Government Act 1972 certain items subject to contracts for the acquisition or disposal of property are allowed to be heard in private.

Commenting on the speculators’ approaches, Roddy Bushell, estate manager of Fitzwilliam (Malton) Estates said in a statement there had been approaches by two developers interested in the cattle market and also the Wentworth Street car park. There are rumours that developers may be planning a new superstore for Malton.

Malton Livestock Auctioneers lease the cattle market site from the estate company, it is believed the market operators have eight more years in their present lease. The car park site is owned by Ryedale District Council.

“It is not in anyone’s interests to pursue a project that will harm Malton town centre and if any proposals are put forward, we will look at them extremely closely with this in mind,” he said.

Bob North, of Ryedale Mowers, Princess Road, Malton, said he had been approached by a development company – which he declined to name – with a view to buying his buildings and land.

Mr North said his property, which was bought from the estate, was the subject of a restrictive covenant which meant its previous owners could still influence decisions over future development.

He said he had seen three different plans for the site including the Wentworth Street car park and his property since he was approached by developers two or three weeks ago.

Mr North said each plan was different. Although he would not say exactly what was proposed, he said: “It’s commercial, I’ll put it like that.”

David Lindley, of Boulton & Cooper, which runs the livestock market, was not available for comment.

Another interesting item before the committee is business rates. The backbone of Ryedale’s tourist trade faces a large increase in these rates next year. Owners of Ryedale’s 51 hotels and guesthouses and 126 pubs face a proposed increase of just under 35 per cent in what they have to pay. Tax on self-catering accommodation, too, with 218 registered units is marked for an increase of 27.2 per cent. The Business Rate is set nationally by Government and allocated in the regions according to its own formula.

Committee chairman Councillor Keith Knaggs advises unhappy business owners to appeal. “I think we will see lots of appeals. From personal experience, I would say appeals are usually rather worthwhile,” he said.

The national non-domestic rate 2000 revaluation results can be seen at Ryedale House and also found on the internet address voa.gov.uk It seems modern councillors need training to do their jobs properly. With everything going on in local government, Government says we will need more professionally minded councillors in the future, although these will still come from the ordinary people of the region.

The policy and resource committee will decide if it wants to set up a working party of the three group leaders, Councillor Keith Knaggs – Conservative, Councillor Keith Orrell – Lib Dem and Councillor Alan Farnaby – Independent to consider a training scheme for councillors.

Other items councillors will discuss or approve include whether or not to introduce a town management scheme for Malton and Norton; the performance of the council’s fund managers and what to charge for local land charge searches next financial year.

From the Gazette & Herald this week in 2000

 

 

Gazette & Herald:

THIS photo of Malton Agronauts AFC was supplied to the Gazette & Herald by Trevor Heselwood.

The team were pictured as winners of the Malton Senior Hospital Cup for the 1937/38 season.

Pictured are back, from left, J Blackburn, N Whiting (secretary), J R Whiting, G Gair, W Barnes (captain), S Kendall, V Wilson, S Collinson, F Calvert, E Willison, R Barnes, J Mellor and H Atkinson. Front, from left, S Smith, J Gibson, R Evans, E Fawson and R Robinson.

• If you have any photographs you would like to see featured on our nostalgia pages, phone 01653 690690 or email gazette@gazetteherald.co.uk