As a local ward member, I have been pursuing the car park charges issue.

Members will recall that car park charges went up by 20% in order to cover a budget shortfall of £171,000. Then, in July, it was reported the Council had a £261,000 surplus. I immediately suggested that the 20% increase should be reversed, but the District Council would not agree. Instead they wanted to use up to £170,000 of the extra money on flood relief works in the Helmsley Area.

I disagreed because:

1. The money for emergencies such as the Helmsley floods is already covered by the Council's £800,000 general reserve fund (which is part of the Council's total reserve fund of £8.7M).

2. Most of the money spent by the Council on Helmsley will most likely be recovered from the Government's Belwin Fund (as in the case of previous emergencies in other places).

3. The high cost of car parking is having an adverse effect on local trade.

Following the Council's refusal to bring down car park charges, the Gazette has started a campaign, and an action committee has been set up, with members including The Gazette Editor, the Mayor of Malton, the FitzWilliam Estate Manager and myself.

We are seeking a meeting with all District and County Councillors for the Malton and Norton wards, and hope to have this in place soon.

PAUL ANDREWS