Ryedale faces an elderly ‘timebomb’

10:54am Thursday 1st November 2012 in News

RYEDALE faces the “demographic timebomb” of an elderly population and lack of affordable housing, its council leader has warned.

The leader’s statement from Coun Keith Knaggs forms part of the agenda for Ryedale District Council’s meeting today, when Coun Knaggs will tell members they need to debate what the role of the council should be.

He said: “At a time when the traditional method of housing delivery – basically affordable homes were paid for by continually rising house prices – has broken down, are we prepared to explore alternative solutions. Are we prepared for the demographic timebomb.”

He will also tell fellow councillors the priority for members should be the creation of “better and quality jobs” to help young people get a foot on the housing ladder and enable businsses to create the wealth needed to meet the challenge of caring for an older population.”

Comments(7)

twotonethomas says...
12:01pm Thu 1 Nov 12

Is this man serious?

What numpty believes we deliver more affordable homes through 'continually rising house prices' ?

And the tories on RDC chose him as their leader!!

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Moorsider79 says...
5:54pm Thu 1 Nov 12

Well Thomas the rising prices led the developers to build and make good profits, so the socialist government decided to grab some of it. Then when times worsened and inflation of materials happened, it was no longer viable to build anything much, which reduces supply of affordable homes and has greatly compounded the recession and unemployment (construction being a major factor in negative growth). I think if you hope to be leader of the council one day you will need to think in just a few more layers. Knaggs as far as I am aware is a good leader and more altruistic than most of the independents or other parties, or the other political heavyweights in and around Malton unelected.

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twotonethomas says...
10:38pm Thu 1 Nov 12

You are obviously one of the numptys who believes that rising house prices leads to more affordable homes.

You'll be telling me next that a leader who whips his party through a planning decision that costs the taxpayers of Ryedale hundreds of thousands of pounds, is a good leader.

Oh!

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Peterwalker says...
1:02pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Interesting comments Moorsider. Presumably you are referring to Atlee' s 1945 government 'grabbing the profits', as that was the last 'Socialist' Government this country had.

The reference to the Council Leader' s 'altruism' must surely be intended as a joke.

And who on earth are the 'unelected political heavyweights' around Malton? Unless this is a reference to their waistbands.......

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twotonethomas says...
1:19pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Quite right Peter, and if my history teacher taught me anything, it was that Atlee's government built thousands of affordable homes without relying on private sector house builders.

I don't know that I can agree with you though when you attack Keith's altruism. After all the appeals team who were paid to fight the Fitzwilliam Estate's appeal believe that Keith and his fellow tories are very altruistic!!

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Peterwalker says...
3:58pm Fri 2 Nov 12

Altruistic no, profligate yes.

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Maltonian says...
9:33am Sun 4 Nov 12

Ryedale's growing elderly population? No wonder - my kids and all their ex school mates are long gone. Employment prospects are not good, house prices inflated...........i
s there any wonder they all leave?

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