MEMBERS of the public are being asked to help determine the future of Malton and Norton over the next two decades.

Malton and Norton town councils, which are working together on the neighbourhood plan, are looking for representatives from the community to join a special steering group and a number of focus groups.

Malton Councillor Paul Emberley said participation was open to anyone who lives or works in either of the two towns, or represents one or more community interest groups.

"Under planning law, Ryedale District Council has had its strategic plan for the next 15 years approved, known as the Ryedale Plan," he said.

"A neighbourhood plan for Malton and Norton provides an additional layer of locally determined and agreed policy to guide the implementation of the Ryedale Plan."

Coun Emberley said the next phase allowed the community to have a real say on how the two towns are developed in the future.

"The development of these proposals is expected to take a further year to 18 months, and will be the subject of extensive consultation with the public," he said.

"If the final proposals subsequently pass a referendum of voters in the two towns, Ryedale District Council, as the local planning authority, is then under a legal duty to bring them into force."

Coun Emberley said the two towns were looking for interested and committed individuals from the community to join the Steering Group.

"This group will be responsible for overseeing the entire process, including liaison with expert planning consultants through the two town clerks, and consolidating the outputs from a number of focus groups," he said.

The focus groups are intended to cover four broad subject areas, as follows:

Community and Leisure: including public services, such as schools, doctors, dentists, hospital, fire service, policing and libraries; community services, such as citizens advice, social care, churches and faith organisations; and sports, recreation and the arts, such as the leisure centre, swimming pool, sports clubs, the Milton Rooms, other arts and entertainment establishments, the museum and racing.

Environment: including trees, planting, care and maintenance, the river, habitats, verges, open spaces and pollution.

Heritage: including the Roman heritage, historic buildings, Dickens, racing and the riverside; and the townscape, such as buildings, street scene, chimneys and topography.

Forward Planning: including the economy, such as retail, the night scene, commercial, festivals, events, industrial, employment, transport and communications; and housing, such as planning constraints, planning flexibility, design statements, impact and amenity; and finally, infrastructure, such as public highways, utilities and rural aspects.

People are asked to register their interest in joining either the Steering Group and/ or one or more of the Focus Groups by Friday, February 19, preferably by email to info@mnnp.org.uk or by post to Malton and Norton-on-Derwent Town Councils, c/o Council Chamber and Office, The Old Courthouse, 84b Commercial Street, Norton-on-Derwent, Malton YO17 9ES, or by phoning 01653 695348.