Ryedale misses out on cash to help clear up (From Gazette & Herald)

Ryedale misses out on cash to help clear up

11:15am Thursday 19th July 2007

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HOPES of cash being provided by the Government to aid the victims of last month's floods at Pickering and Sinnington have been dashed.

Only North Yorkshire County Council and Ryedale District Council will be giving cash help.

Ryedale has missed out on help from Westminster after the floods recovery minister, John Healey, said that £8 million is to be given to some 34 local authorities across the country.

But only Selby and Harrogate councils are to benefit in North Yorkshire to the total tune of £70,000, East Riding Council will receive £600,000 while much of the remainder will go to such hard hit areas as Hull, Sheffield and Doncaster.

Ryedale District councillor Howard Keal, spokesman for Pickering Flood Defence Group, said: "This just beggars belief.

Seventy properties were flooded in Pickering and this just adds insult to injury."

Mr Healey said the Government had worked closely with the local authorities affected as well as the Local Government Association to finalise the payments.

"This demonstrates our shared determination to work together to help life return to normal in the affected areas as quickly as possible. Importantly it means that support can reach those most in need without delay and make a real and practical difference."

Ryedale House is putting up £10,000 to help the flood victims of the district - the same sum as when the floods hit Northern Ryedale two years ago.

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire County County is urging businesses to contact County Hall where up to £2,500 can be applied for to help in clear-up operations and get businesses open again.

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