Malton and Norton Town Amalgamation

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

AMALGAMATION OF THE MALTON AND NORTON ON DERWENT TOWN COUNCILS

 

Earlier this year the Malton and Norton Town Councils, following several joint meetings discussing the matter, each resolved separately to promote the amalgamation of the two town councils to form one single town council to represent, as one body, the interests of the community of Malton and Norton.

 

The principle reasons which the existing town councils have identified as justification for a single body to represent this community are:

 

  • Strategically Malton and Norton are considered almost always as a single community.  Regional planning strategy has identified the joint community as a principle settlement in Ryedale, and current consideration of longer term planning strategy takes this lead.  A single body at local level will be better placed to make and fight the case for the community.
  • The boundary between the two towns is more notional than real.  In almost every aspect the needs of the community are the same, and development and change, wherever in the two towns it takes place, has an impact on all.
  • At the current level of service provided separately by the two town councils there would be the opportunity to be more efficient both in terms of the service and the cost.  A single council would also be better placed to take on and provide certain key local services more effectively.
  • Finally a single administration would and must in real terms achieve economies of scale.  The existing town councils would not be promoting amalgamation if it was not certain that services can be delivered more cost effectively.

 

To achieve the aim of a single Town Council to represent the community of Malton and Norton, the two town councils are promoting a Petition by Malton and Norton electors to Ryedale District Council to request that it carry out a Community Governance Review to consider the proposal.  This Petition is the only means available in law to move the proposal forward.  If sufficient petitioners add their name, the District Council must then undertake an in depth review of the case for an amalgamated Council, and make a decision on the proposal.

 

The requirement for a successful Petition is that at least 10% (400) of the electors of Malton, and at least 10%(570) of the electors of Norton sign the document.

 

From the 4th of July all current Malton and Norton town councillors will have petition papers available and will be actively seeking electors’ support.

 

Anyone seeking further information can ring the Clerk at Norton Town Council on 01653 695348 or Malton Town Council (from 20th July onwards) on 01439 748500.

 

 

 

28 June 2009.