YP Letters: District councils have duty to protect community

I WRITE in regard to the letter from David Pasley about Ryedale Council oposing North Yorkshire County Council’s racking decision (The Yorkshire Post, July 1).

As it happens, the council’s money for a contribution to the costs of a judicial review is not required and the notice of motion was withdrawn a week ago. I would nevertheless defend the principle of asking the council to contribute to the cost of this kind of legal action.

The county council’s planning committee, which made the decision, has no Ryedale members. They made a decision which could set a precedent for the industrialisation of the entire Vale of Pickering.

The functions of district councils are not limited to providing set statutory services.

District councils can and should take action when appropriate to promote and defend the amenities of the district. If they don’t do this, there is little else to stand between big business with their vast resources and the rights of the ordinary citizen.

In all the circumstances, I think it was right to give Ryedale the opportunity to put their money where their mouth is.