I WOULD like to thank everyone who voted for me at the local elections two weeks ago. I am delighted to have retained my seat and to be able to represent Norton West on Ryedale District Council for another four years.

I would like to give a special thanks to my fellow Conservative, Liz Johnson, whose support I could not have managed without. Liz and I will continue to campaign with Norton Action Group against the dreaded Asphalt Plant at Whitewall Quarry.

I will also look forward to working with the energetic Keane Duncan, who at 20 years of age topped the poll in Norton East with a landslide. I am very pleased to see that more young people stood in this local election than ever before, which is very encouraging for our democracy.

I would like to say again how grateful I am for the generosity and support I received throughout the election campaign. I promise to fulfil my pledge to work hard over the next four years being a strong voice.

Luke Ives, Norton

 

• We would like to add our thanks to those of Ann Hopkinson to the voters of Malton for their support in the recent elections for the Malton ward of Ryedale District Council.

We’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our successful Conservative colleagues in the Ryedale elections, especially Kevin Hollinrake in his emphatic victory in the General Election.

We also congratulate the three Independent candidates who were successful in the Malton ward. As Ann pointed out, it seems clear that, among other issues, their specific opposition to the plans for the development of the Wentworth Street car park played a large part in their victory.

Since all the Malton Conservative candidates are also firmly opposed to this development, we wish them success in this matter, and offer them our support and encouragement.

As Malton residents, we will watch developments with renewed interest. We hope to see this matter concluded with the minimum of good money being thrown after bad, and with maximum consideration of what is clearly the overwhelming will of Malton voters.

David Hoggard and Kerry Ennis, Malton

 

• I WOULD like to thank all the people in the Sinnington ward who voted for me in the Ryedale District Council elections. It is a shame that the council will now continue to be run on a rather political basis and not have more members there who can express some different views.

Many people spoke to me of their concern about the proposed extraction of shale gas in the Ryedale area and this was reflected in the overall vote. It was not surprising, therefore, that some of the existing members in the run up to the election were suddenly “converted” and claimed to be against “fracking” in Ryedale.

I wonder if they will still hold these views when Third Energy shortly apply for permission for the test “frack” at Kirby Misperton and follow this up with their stated aim of drilling hundreds of wells across Ryedale, or will they just follow the “party” line? We shall see.

Glyn Wild, Swinton

 

• THIRSK and Malton Labour Party has just worked hard to oppose a Conservative Party candidate in the recent Parliamentary Election and has raised our party profile here. More people voted Labour in the country than in 2010.

Neither they, nor we, want “unity” as called for by Mr Hollinrake in your paper as we are dedicated to opposing closure of libraries, privatisation of the NHS, harmful cuts to the welfare budget and much else. The need for a responsible opposition is greater than ever.

Eileen Randall, Pickering, chairman of Thirsk and Malton Constituency Labour Party WE would like to thank all the residents of the Helmsley ward who voted for us in the recent local elections. We look forward to representing you over the next four years.

We would also like to congratulate and thank the chief executive and all the staff on what was a long and at times difficult polling day/count.

Steve Arnold and Snowy Windress, Helmsley ward, Ryedale District Council

 

• WITH regards the Malton ward Ryedale District Council election.

I would like to thank everyone who voted for me and returned me to the district council for another four years to look after Malton and Old Malton and its residents interests in the recent elections.

I will work hard for everyone and always be available to all.

Lindsay Burr, Malton ward