York | Archive | 2001 | May | 18
From the Evening Press, first published Friday 18th May 2001.
Ryedale organisations representing the elderly and disabled will be consulted before any changes are made to concessionary travel.
The district council will look again at the unpopular bus concession scheme - which replaced tokens granting reductions on trains, parking charges and other forms of transport - in the face of public pressure.
Councillors decided last night to put off a decision until those with a stake in the issue, and parish councils, have their say.
Coun Keith Orrell proposed giving pensioners the choice between tokens and bus concessions - but was overruled because other councillors said it would be too expensive.
Coun Brian Cottam said: "In an ideal world this proposal would be fine, but it costs money."
Councillors voted to consult with parish councils and "other relevant organisations", and to investigate reducing parking costs for disabled people and extending discounted train travel beyond North Yorkshire.
They also decided to put off a decision on possibly increasing their expenses by 18 per cent.
An independent panel had recommended that every councillor should receive a basic £3,000 each year, with up to £8,500 for the chairman.
Coun Stephen Shaw said the rise was necessary to encourage people to become councillors in future.
But Coun Deborah Aubrook said a constituent had told her it was hard to justify the rise as councillors had varying roles. "We have a huge responsibility and we shouldn't take the money for nothing," she said.
Councillors voted to wait until the authority had accepted proposals for basic standards and disciplinary measures.
Updated: 11:08 Friday, May 18, 2001
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