THE NEW Conservative-controlled Ryedale District Council is to take a fresh look at its budgets, leader Coun Keith Knaggs said this week.

Speaking after his party swept to overall control for the first time in the council’s 38-year history, Coun Knaggs said: “We will aim to re-balance the council’s spending plans towards enterprise and infrastructure and away from what at times have looked like individual pet projects.

“We will provide the services that people really value at the lowest possible cost to the tax-payer.”

Among the shock results at last Thursday’s election night was the defeat of Val Arnold in Kirkbymoorside. She was the Conservative vice-chairman of the council who was due to become the new chairman on May 19. Liberal Democrat group leader Jane Wilford was defeated in her Amotherby seat by the Conservatives and former chairman, Natalie Warriner, an independent, lost out in Pickering.

Mrs Wilford, a teacher, was philosophical about her defeat. She said: “I was obviously disappointed but as one door closes another opens. My opponent fought a strong battle. I wish him all the best and hope he works hard for the community.” Mrs Wilford added that she was keen to help the Milton Rooms scheme flourish and was offering her help as an individual.

Denys Townsend, chairman of Malton and Norton Business in Action group, who took on council leader Keith Knaggs in a straight fight, said that, while he lost, he believed he had highlighted in his campaign concern over the council’s policies, particularly in relation to the controversial plan to sell off part of Wentworth Street car park to develop a supermarket.

Mr Townsend said: “I believe the new neighbourhood plan for the two towns will be a significant step forward in planning their future.

“There is slow progress in the livestock market site by some senior councillors and officers and a tendency to ignore partnership working.”

Labour fielded candidates for the first time for eight years, but while none of the five was successful, Tim Prest, the party spokesman, said: “It was an encouraging result for our party having polled more than 1,000 votes.”

Coun John Clark saw his group of three Liberals increase by one, but his Conservative rival Ena Dent demanded a recount in his own Cropton ward when he polled six votes more than her. She conceded defeat after the second count.

He said he did not believe there would be any significant change in policy direction despite the Conservatives increasing their majority. “The council has been run by the Conservatives with support from some independents for the past four years,” he added.

Coun Clark added that he would be continuing to oppose the building of a supermarket on Wentworth Street car park and would press for a replacement livestock market within Malton.

Coun Paul Andrews, who retained his seat in the Malton division and has been a strong opponent of the sale of Wentworth Street car park said he hoped the new council would take note of the strength of his success at the poll and the opposition by the THE NEW Conservative-controlled Ryedale District Council is to take a fresh look at its budgets, leader Coun Keith Knaggs said this week.

Speaking after his party swept to overall control for the first time in the council’s 38-year history, Coun Knaggs said: “We will aim to re-balance the council’s spending plans towards enterprise and infrastructure and away from what at times have looked like individual pet projects.

“We will provide the services that people really value at the lowest possible cost to the tax-payer.”

Among the shock results at last Thursday’s election night was the defeat of Val Arnold in Kirkbymoorside. She was the Conservative vice-chairman of the council who was due to become the new chairman on May 19. Liberal Democrat group leader Jane Wilford was defeated in her Amotherby seat by the Conservatives and former chairman, Natalie Warriner, an independent, lost out in Pickering.

Mrs Wilford, a teacher, was philosophical about her defeat. She said: “I was obviously disappointed but as one door closes another opens. My opponent fought a strong battle. I wish him all the best and hope he works hard for the community.” Mrs Wilford added that she was keen to help the Milton Rooms scheme flourish and was offering her help as an individual.

Denys Townsend, chairman of Malton and Norton Business in Action group, who took on council leader Keith Knaggs in a straight fight, said that, while he lost, he believed he had highlighted in his campaign concern over the council’s policies, particularly in relation to the controversial plan to sell off part of Wentworth Street car park to develop a supermarket.

Mr Townsend said: “I believe the new neighbourhood plan for the two towns will be a significant step forward in planning their future.

“There is slow progress in the livestock market site by some senior councillors and officers and a tendency to ignore partnership working.”

Labour fielded candidates for the first time for eight years, but while none of the five was successful, Tim Prest, the party spokesman, said: “It was an encouraging result for our party having polled more than 1,000 votes.”

Coun John Clark saw his group of three Liberals increase by one, but his Conservative rival Ena Dent demanded a recount in his own Cropton ward when he polled six votes more than her. She conceded defeat after the second count.

He said he did not believe there would be any significant change in policy direction despite the Conservatives increasing their majority. “The council has been run by the Conservatives with support from some independents for the past four years,” he added.

Coun Clark added that he would be continuing to oppose the building of a supermarket on Wentworth Street car park and would press for a replacement livestock market within Malton.

Coun Paul Andrews, who retained his seat in the Malton division and has been a strong opponent of the sale of Wentworth Street car park said he hoped the new council would take note of the strength of his success at the poll and the opposition by the public to the sale.

* ONLY eight of Ryedale’s town and parish councils had elections last Thursday.

Two Ryedale District councillors, Brian Maud and Robert Wainwright, were elected to Rillington and Hovingham parish councils respectively, but Ryedale councillor Paul Andrews failed in his bid to be elected to Great Habton parish council.

And Ryedale voters gave a firm thumbs down to the referendum on the Alternative Vote.

Of the 19,096 votes received - 45.6 per cent of the electorate - 13,987 rejected the move and 5,042 voted in favour.