Why North Yorkshire will rebuild better – Yorkshire Post Letters

From: Coun Carl Les (Conservative), Leader, North Yorkshire County Council.
This has been a particularly challenging year for North Yorkshire, says council leader Carl Les. Photo: James Hardisty.This has been a particularly challenging year for North Yorkshire, says council leader Carl Les. Photo: James Hardisty.
This has been a particularly challenging year for North Yorkshire, says council leader Carl Les. Photo: James Hardisty.

‘START by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.’

This quote from Saint Francis of Assisi sums up the mammoth effort I have witnessed from hundreds of thousands of people in North Yorkshire in 2020.

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I could not let this year of trials and tribulations, overcoming adversity, and incredible team effort pass, without saying thank you to each and every one of you.

Carl Les is the leader of North Yorkshire County Council.Carl Les is the leader of North Yorkshire County Council.
Carl Les is the leader of North Yorkshire County Council.

Like many, I am humbled by the sacrifice and resilience of the people, businesses and workforce of our magnificent county in one of the toughest years. While we know there is still a tough road ahead, we also know that we will get where we need to be – because that is what we do in North Yorkshire. We just get on with it.

The year began with four storms in four weeks, flash flooding, rising tides and sitting expanses of water. Storm Dennis whipped up almost tidal-type erosion of the causeway which supports the A19 at Eggborough. The damage was catastrophic and the repairs are complex and costly but we are getting on with it.

The pandemic, continuing at pace in its second wave, has crept silently through our communities, targeting the most frail residents and scarring our globally renowned hospitality industry. Sadly, we have lost hundreds of loved ones, witnessed many of our businesses struggling, our high streets decimated in lockdown and job prospects for many of our young people put in jeopardy.

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But North Yorkshire has faced these challenges with the strength and honesty we are famous for. Thousands of selfless volunteers, key workers going the extra mile, neighbours fulfilling countless acts of kindness that may be small – but mean the world to the recipient.

York MP Rachael Maskell is pressing for further Government action on flooding.York MP Rachael Maskell is pressing for further Government action on flooding.
York MP Rachael Maskell is pressing for further Government action on flooding.

So thank you to the people and businesses of North Yorkshire – for everything you have done and will continue to do to help us recover, grow again and prosper as a county.

From: Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central.

I TAKE every opportunity in Parliament to raise the significant failures to protect households and businesses from floods, and how the delays in providing protection impact on the stress they experience every time the river rises (The Yorkshire Post, December 28).

Businesses are despairing at the lack of support they are receiving, not least as the insurance industry is turning its back on them. This week I have written to the Environment Agency to demand that Property Level Resilience measures are installed in all eligible properties before the end of this financial year. I want to see an expediting of its plan for community schemes too.

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I have written to the Floods Minister and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rebecca Pow, to call for a meeting.

In February, George Eustice, the Environment Secretary, came to York to announce he was going to hold a Yorkshire Floods Conference in the city in May, yet the year is almost over and, three floods later, there is no sign of this taking place.

I have tried to engage with Rebecca Pow, but instead of showing concern she has avoided addressing the serious flooding issues. It is unacceptable. I have therefore written to her to ask for the convening of a Yorkshire Flood Conference.

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