Ryedale council meeting which would have discussed the skate park is cancelled

A Norton councillor is hoping to “break the deadlock” over the future of Norton’s skate park.

Keane Duncan has submitted a motion to Ryedale District Council calling for councillors to support Norton Town Council to reopen the skate park and renovate the half pipe.

It was due to be discussed at a full council meeting (Thursday, December 2)

If successful, it would see Ryedale District Council provide a grant of up to £50,000 to Norton Town Council, which manages the facility.

UPDATE:

On Thursday afternoon it was reported that the meeting had been cancelled by Ryedale District Council.

Lib Dem leader Di Keal and Independent leader Lindsay Burr agreed they wanted the meeting cancelled due to ‘concerns regarding Covid’.

Conservative leader Keane Duncan said the socially-distanced meeting at the Milton Rooms should go ahead.

He said it means the motion on the skate park is unlikely to be heard for many weeks.

Skate park campaigner Ryan Swain said it would be a “game changer” to the campaign if the district council approved Councillor Duncan’s motion and gave its support for the first time. Cllr Duncan said: “The skate park is a huge asset to the community of Norton, Malton and wider Ryedale area.

“It’s vital that a solution is found that allows the skate park to reopen as soon as possible, and that sees the skate park retained and renovated.

“I want Ryedale District Council to help Norton Town Council to be able to do that.

“The debate over the half pipe has been ongoing for far too long now – and it appears there is still a stalemate. “Meanwhile, the park remains closed altogether while maintenance work to other ramps takes place.

“This has created great concern within the community and generated lots of questions. My hope is that Ryedale District Council (RDC) can give its backing, moral and financial, to assist Norton Town Council in finally finding a way forward.

“It would be great to end the year by finally breaking the deadlock.”

Ryan Swain said: “This decision for RDC to provide funding to the skatepark should be a no brainer as Norton Town Council is failing to deliver for the community.

“If the funding and authorisation from RDC was approved it could be a game changer to the campaign and could get the ball rolling in finally getting the skatepark back open to its original standard and repairing the now world-famous, iconic halfpipe.”

Councillor John Mackenzie, who seconded the motion, said: “Like Keane I have become frustrated at the way that this important issue has dragged on. The skate park is an important asset for the young people of the town, and the half pipe is seen as an
iconic piece of equipment by them.

“We need to get this sorted and I hope that Ryedale District Council can assist.”