Julia Mulligan, the new police and crime Commissioner (PCC), is to be invited to the next meeting of the Ryedale Area Committee.

Concerns were raised at last week’s meeting over how the new PCC structure was going to effect Ryedale.

Insp Andy Everitt, of Ryedale Police, told councillors he had recently chaired a meeting of the Safer Ryedale Delivery Group and there were concerns as they already received very limited funds for the district based on crime levels.

“It is proposed to merge the Safer Communities Forum and the Criminal Justice Board together and it is our concern that Ryedale may not be offered a seat in any emerging structure,” he said.

“Members of the group agreed that Ryedale is a good example of delivering partnership actions on the ground with minimal resources and we will be inviting the newly-elected PCC to visit us and see what activity and value for money Safer Ryedale is delivering.”

Councillors agreed to also invite Mrs Mulligan to the next Ryedale Area Committee meeting in January.