THE revelation at a Ryedale District Council (RDC) meeting that there are 250 empty or unfurnished properties in the district is horrendous news.

As members, we were asked to approve the adoption of higher premiums, proposed by central government, for the owners of such properties. Apparently some dwellings have been vacant for two, five or even 10 years.

This is a disgraceful situation. While the Government has been urging councils everywhere to build more and more housing, irrespective in some cases of long-held green boundaries, ministers should have stressed the need, first, to check the unused properties - probably thousands countrywide - already existing.

In Ryedale our housing staff work very hard to deal with every aspect of homelessness. There is no criticism here.

However, housing as a whole, is too important a matter to be relegated to a couple of pages out of some 300, as “an also ran”, under RDC’s policy and resources committee.

As members we should be playing a more active part in what is the most crucial and basic need for all our residents.

When I was first elected to the council, I inherited membership of the (then) housing committee, which worked closely with officers and provided much up-to-date information and assistance for our respective electorates.

We need to increase the number of our committees - a housing committee should be foremost on the list.

Meanwhile, there are very many young single people and couples in urgent need of a roof over their heads.

It must be a major consideration of Ryedale to increase its efforts for those seeking housing, and for the government to pass the Bill on Empty Dwellings 2017-19, as soon as possible.

Cllr Elizabeth Shields, Norton East

Gentle reminder

CLLR Di Keal is right. An improved Malton station is fantastic news for Norton, Malton and Ryedale. She is also right about the need for a new platform.

From December extra trains will call to make a half-hourly service. With a second platform, trains can pass each other on the level crossing to give twice the train service for the same amount of barrier down time.

But the real icing on the cake would be that bridge. A pedestrian/cycle route between the two towns, useable regardless of crossing closures, would be a breakthrough.

Half-hourly trains, extra station car parking on the Norton side, no more barrier down time than now and a beautiful new cycle/foot bridge linking the two towns? A fantastic opportunity, or just pure fantasy?

Both rail companies, I’m told, want a second platform. It would stop trains having to wait outside the station and time is very definitely money in the rail world.

A new platform would need a bridge. For years, Ryedale District Council and North Yorkshire County Council have been looking at ways to improve facilities at the station. I’m sure that the town councils have as well. But should they have to?

Network Rail own the station and could provide - and pay for - a new platform and a practical, appealing bridge. A strong cross-party approach to Network Rail from all the district and local councillors, their respective authorities and from our MP is needed.

These are the people who need to gently remind Network Rail that the Victorian era has now ended and that in the 21st century the modus operandi is to work with the public rather than railroad changes through. This would be a brilliant way to demonstrate that new approach.

Eden Blyth, Wrelton

Concert thanks

I WOULD like to thank everybody who was involved with making the Mayor’s Charity Concert a success - Malton School and its feeder primaries and staff, their musical director, Peter Woodrow, Charity Brass, the businesses and other donors who provided raffle prizes, the Milton Rooms volunteers, Jeremy for the sound, and Malton Town Council’s clerk.

The Milton Rooms was an excellent venue for this splendid performance, and it was a truly memorable occasion.

We raised over £1,000 for the Mayor’s Charities, Acorn Community Care and Friends of Malton Hospital.

Cllr Paul Andrews,

mayor of Malton