Towns’ skate park may be saved by new funds (From Gazette & Herald)

Malton and Norton’s skate park may be saved by new funds

10:18am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News

HOPES are high that the popular skateboard park which serves the youngsters of Malton and Norton could be saved, despite it being a victim of Ryedale District Council’s spending cuts.

Malton Town Council was told by its clerk Mike Skehan that talks had been held with Norton Town Council to jointly mastermind the operation of the park in Norton Road because of its value to the two communities.

The councils are to seek funding from the district council’s community investment fund but a decision will not be known until December at the earliest.

A further meeting is to be held between representatives of the two town councils prior to a further meeting with district council officers.

Mr Skehan said: “We are keen to see a proper handover and where possible, keep Ryedale District Council involved in the skateboard park until the end of the year.”

However, the new financial arrangement is only likely to exist for about two years because funding is not expected to be available beyond that.

Coun Jason Fitzgerald-Smith, pictured, Malton mayor, said: “It is important that we retain the park because it is well used.”

Coun David Lloyd-Williams said if funding could be found for the next two years it would then provide opportunities to secure funding from other sources in the interim.

Councillors were also told that funding was also being sought towards the new Book Festival planned for Malton.

The issue is to be discussed by the council’s finance committee after Coun Ann Hopkinson said: “We need to safeguard the skateboard park, rather than help fund a book festival.”

Members were told that the festival was a new venture to replace the former literature festival held in the town.