Where’s the logic to councillors’ decisions? (From Gazette & Herald)

Where’s the logic to councillors’ decisions?

3:35pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Letters

WHERE is the logical reasoning behind some of the decisions reported in last week’s Gazette & Herald?

On page 4, Norton’s mayor, Coun Di Keal states “alternative premises have to be found for (Norton) library”. Why is our mayor so anxious to see its closure? It is at the centre of Norton and our shopping area. It has good parking facilities, bus stops directly outside and room to expand the building if required.

On page 3, Coun Keal asks what is Ryedale District Council doing to promote Norton. Surely keeping the library open is one answer, even though she seems to want it closed.

The Gazette & Herald also reported the increase of hours at Malton library and a cut in the hours at Norton. Why? The hours at Norton were already far less than those at Malton although Norton has the greater population.

Obviously North Yorkshire County Council is deliberately cutting the hours at Norton and will then claim that the library is under-used as an excuse to close it. At a public meeting a representative of North Yorkshire County Council stated that “Malton library was not fit for purpose”. Why then is the tourist information office being crammed into it?

On Page 4 again: how can Ryedale District Council justify the demolition of Community House Malton, a purpose-built facility highly valued by the voluntary groups who help the most vulnerable in our society. To re-house them in an adapted premises would be questionable and expensive. Why, as the population of both towns continues to grow, increasing council revenues, is the viability of our local shops and public services being steadily eroded.

Page 5, “Council in spin over car wash signs”. Why was planning permission given to locate this eyesore car wash in such a prominent, highly-congested area when 50 metres across the road there is an extremely well-used car wash already operating?

And on Page 23, Des Reed will be glad to know that old batteries can be recycled by placing them in the receptacles provided at Morrisons and Lidl.

The questions about the Community House and libraries make me wonder if Ryedale District Council and North Yorkshire County Council have already committed themselves to Harrison House, regardless of the views of the communities they are supposed to serve. Those councillors who were determined to see the merger of our towns must surely have been aware that it would lead to the loss of centrally located facilities.

HILARY JENKINS, Norton