Resident pleads for forum attendance

It's important in a democracy that as many people as possible take part, so please leave your television for one night, and attend your nearest meeting.

The Craven Ratepayers Action Group (CRAG) has been researching the massive increases in police precept in North Yorkshire, but not, it has to be admitted, with much help from the Police Authority.

Last year the Chief Constable promised that if we were to increase precept by 76 per cent then we would see an increase in numbers of police officers and support staff.

Within days of that increase being taken, despite the wishes of the public being against such an increase in the only poll taken (City of York), the director of human resources published his anticipated force figures for 2004 - no increase in police officers and a reduction of 28 per cent in support staff.

These figures were queried at a public forum meeting on May 28, and the authority representative, Jean Anderson, was instructed by the chairman to provide true figures confirming or refuting those published by the director. She has not done this.

For the record:

NYPA is charged with openness in its dealings with the public, but a complaint to the Advertising Standards Agency regarding its broken promise over force numbers met with the response that the ASA could not deal with it.

That same complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman met with a similar response, apparently anything which affects all or most public members cannot be dealt with by that person.

That same complaint to the District Auditor met with a similar response.

That same complaint to Nick Raynsford (minister with responsibilities for local government) met with a party political broadcast from Sandra Lecomber, of the Home Office, and no response to the complaint.

The only person who has seen fit to respond constructively has been David Curry, who responded thus: "I will seek immediate clarification from the chairman of the Police Authority."

CRAG's letter to Mr Curry was sent on September 20, the response came on the 24th. Answer came there none.

This authority has happily raised its own expenses by 60 per cent and has never given any reasons for so doing. Meanwhile they will, I am sure, seek to increase their precept massively again this next year, a precept they have increased by 255 per cent over the last two years alone.

Please attend the local forums, especially the Skipton one on October 23.

Alan Perrow,

Bannister Walk,

Cowling.

SIR - I have noticed, like your previous correspondent that the countryside has become littered by the pro-hunt lobby telling us that 59 per cent of the public back hunting.

Could I ask the question, where was this poll carried out? Was it in towns and cities, the countryside villages and shopping centres? Or, was it carried out at the recent game fair organised by the pro-hunting hobby?

Am I not correct in believing that if a poll is carried out to test public opinion, the figures have to be published of how many in the sample took part and those conducting the poll must state their name, ie Mori etc?

If the pro-hunt lobby are so sure that it has 59 per cent of the general public's agreement, maybe they could publish the facts of the poll along with proof that the poll was representative of the general public at large.

Maybe there is a larger percentage of people in this country who would tell the pro-hunt lobby that they are in the minority and that they hate the idea of animals being terrorised by hounds. But then that would have to be carried out by a democratic organisation, not by the narrow-minded individuals of the pro-hunt lobby.

Let's put one fact on record. This is not a ban on hunting going through Parliament. This is a ban on hunting with dogs. What kind of sport is it that accepts one animal being torn to shreds by another? I hunt with a rifle. I never fire unless a clean kill is the outcome. Vermin have to be controlled, but not by causing such suffering at the hands of the predator.

We, in the country, have been labelled by the pro-hunt lobby and I for one take great exception that because I live and work - and I have always lived and worked in the country - I must support hunting with dogs as outlined by the pro-hunt lobby. This is not the case.

Peter Hobson,

The Green, Settle.

SIR - I see that Katie and Josie Timmins are questioning the validity of the Countryside Alliance poll on hunting (Craven Herald letters, October 3). The 59 per cent is rather flattering to the antis.

They stated the Alliance poll questions were ambiguous and suffered from flawed logic. In a recent BBC Online poll, the question could not have been more straightforward: "Should hunting with dogs be banned - Yes or No"? The result was: yes 25 per cent, no 75 per cent.

The trouble with most antis is a lack of logic. They never stop to think how the fox population could be kept in check should there be a hunting ban. After living for over 30 years in an area where there were no hounds to call on, I have seen most of the alternatives. Preserve us from a return to those alternatives!

B Robinson,

Midland Terrace,

Hellifield.

SIR - So there we are. That's another accident at the Bailey/A59 junction in which several people were injured, apparently one seriously.

Speaking as an advanced motorist of many years experience, I would like to put it bluntly. Whoever designed this most stupid of junctions should be shot.

Perhaps I am being a little over-cautious but I never feel safe when I use this junction and it doesn't matter from what direction either.

You cannot have such a junction design these days. There is too much traffic and the speeds go unchecked, especially on the A59.

The whole lot wants digging up and replacing with a small roundabout like it should have been since day one. If not, then it's only a question of time before another perhaps fatal accident happens.

JE Nicholls,

Hall Croft,

Skipton.

SIR - Mrs Potter's letter last week accurately describes one of the problems with the new traffic lights in Keighley Road.

The principal difficulty is that in the Skipton to Keighley direction, the road is not quite wide enough for two lanes of mixed traffic.

The result is a long backlog of traffic towards the town.

The problem could have been eased considerably if the planners had purchased a small piece of land and included a slight widening of the road. About a couple of feet would make all the difference.

If the road were widened by incorporating the footpath on the "railway side" and a new footpath or footbridge then created alongside, enough width could be gained to allow two lanes of traffic thus reducing the congestion in the Keighley direction.

Malcolm Wiseman,

Netherghyll Lane,

Cononley.

SIR - The more I look at the National Park's 50th anniversary logo the more I like it, and I am pleased to say I am not alone!

It is a design that will work on a 10-foot banner as well as it does when it is reduced to the size of little more than a large stamp - big or small it shows people enjoying themselves in the countryside, what is wrong with that?

It was not designed for the Victor Meldrews of this world, who would have expected something more conservative and safe. It was designed to be modern and fun, enthuse young people, urban and rural people, those that think for whatever reason the national park or the countryside, isn't for them.

As an authority we want to use the 50th anniversary to enthuse a whole new generation about the national park, what it has to offer them as a place that they can visit, learn and enjoy themselves. Yes we could have taken a different approach and gone with the conservative and preached solely to the converted - those that already visit - yet what is the point, they already visit!

The price of £800 for a logo, two in fact, is money well spent if it appeals to new audiences, encourages them to visit, to stay and to put money into this area's local economy.

And as for the confusion, the logo isn't the national park authority's logo. It is a logo for all to use in the 50th anniversary year, it is a logo for businesses, pubs, hotels and guest houses to use on their publicity material and websites, to help them promote their ventures in the 50th anniversary year, should they wish to do so.

So love it or loath it, if it encourages new audiences to find out more about this great national park, then it is money well spent.

Andrew Osborne

Acting Head of External Affairs

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Authority,

Colvend, Grassington.

SIR - Could the residents of Coniston Cold ensure the illuminating 30mph speed sign in their village on the A65 (southbound) is calibrated correctly?

When I drive through Coniston Cold, the illuminated sign reminds me the limit is 30mph and entreats me to slow down.

I have twice gone through both the 40mph and 30mph zone at least 10mph less than the published speed limit, yet the sign illuminates regardless. This is counter-productive as regular drivers through the village will learn to ignore the sign after a while.

Secondly, if I remember correctly, it was a resident of Coniston Cold that a little while ago explained at length on the Craven Herald's letters page the pointlessness of the signs on the A65 warning of (non-existent) permanent speed cameras. Remember Belloc's Matilda?

Allan Gould,

Higher Halsteads,

Settle.

SIR - As an OAP who can't spell but is blessed with a strong bladder, I tend to appreciate the finer points of the Devonshire Hotel, Grassington, more than Mr Johnston, the Craven Herald's dining out correspondent.

Forget about the food which is brilliant any way, it is the super young staff, the bend over backwards management, real fires, daily newspapers, easy chairs etc that make this place unique. Ambience that's the word I'm seeking - and the Dev certainly has it.

Ray Potter,

Low Lane,

Grassington.

SIR - Following the article in your issue of September 26, headed "Council takes 25 years to reply to path request", I felt I should explain the county council's position.

Over the last 30 years or so a backlog of outstanding applications for Definitive Map Modification Orders has steadily built up to its present level of in excess of 300.

The county council has now introduced a policy which is intended to speed up the process. As part of that policy councillors decided that applications which had little or no evidential merit and had no chance whatsoever of being added to the Definitive Map should be rejected.

Mr Pedley's application fell into that category. In addition to the new policy, councillors have also decided to employ additional staff and allocate more financial resources to try to improve the situation. I am pleased to say that approach, although it has only been implemented for a very short period, has started to show benefits.

The council is reasonably confident that this new policy and the additional resources should see an improvement in the rights of way network.

Those of your readers who use public rights of way might already have noticed, for example, that a substantial number of public rights of way signs have been erected in the past year. We have also replaced numerous stiles and gates which again should aid members of the public when using public rights of way.

I have to agree that 25 years is an unacceptable period for dealing with applications. With the benefit of hindsight, Mr Pedley should have been advised that his application had no real prospect of success.

I can reassure your readers that any person who has made an application for a Modification Order, who has not received a letter similar to Mr Pedley's that their application contains sufficient evidence to persuade the county council to continue to process it.

What I cannot guarantee is that any such application will be added to the Definitive Map. There is a legal procedure which the county council is obliged to follow and the final decision as to whether or not to add a particular right of way to the Definitive Map might not necessarily rest with the county council. There is an independent appeal procedure.

I hope your readers are a little wiser as to the procedures the county council needs to follow when dealing with applications to add rights of way to the Definitive Map.

County Coun John Fort,

Executive member for

Environmental Services,

North Yorkshire County

Council.

SIR - Regarding your article "Carer Makes New Plea" in last week's Craven Herald, I would like to point out there were three carers present at the meeting not just one, Janet Nuttall, Fred Armitage (ex mayor of Skipton) and myself.

We were there to represent 29 carers in total, 20 clients who still live at home, and seven who live in care homes. This is very important, as we are all of the same mind, and this is why we are standing up for what we think is right.

As our kind of problem is happening all over the country, and special schools and day centres are being closed in large quantities, we would like to hear from anyone affected by this, or anyone who knows of suitable property in the Skipton area.

Catharine M Parker,

7 Hillside Close,

Long Ashes Park,

Threshfield.

SIR - I have been a reader of your paper for nearly 40 years, but have never before written to your column.

Last Friday, I stupidly lost my handbag while out with my son and dog in Aireville Park. I never expected to see it again, let alone get it back with all its contents without the hour.

Could you please extend my thanks to the two anonymous students, who, although rushing to catch a train, took time out to hand my bag in at Herriots Hotel.

Also I would like to publicly thank the hotel staff for making several phone calls to contact me. It is very reassuring to know we are living among such kind and honest people.

Mrs Avril Mount,

The Grove,

Skipton.

SIR - Regarding the article about Alun Michael's visit to the conservation sites in the Penyghent area.

While I applaud any way of providing funds to hard working farmers, I would like to point out that the idyllic limestone countryside in the foreground of the picture has not been in any conservation scheme, nor has it been grazed by any bygone breeds of cattle or indeed farmed extensively. Yet it is I agree part of the most beautiful scenery in the country.

My point is that turning the clock back 60 years is not necessarily the answer.

Speaking as the third generation farmer of the aforementioned land, it would be nice to maintain an adequate level of income without "running faster" each year in order to stand still, so taking subsidies away from production has got to be a good thing.

Our superbly stocked supermarkets are testament to successful agriculture. Just remember, slimming is always a good idea right after a meal!

Get the balance right: look after the farmers and the countryside will look after itself.

Neil Jackson,

Town Head Farm,

Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

SIR - I am concerned to read in your paper that Coun Beth Graham is "absolutely up to here" with people who live in Settle expressing their views to her. After all we live in a democracy and she is a town councillor, who else should people speak to on issues concerning the town.

J Edwards,

Halsteads Terrace,

Settle.