A CHARITY running door-to-door minibuses for elderly people hopes to have some of its fuel expenses reimbursed by a Government scheme, after its direct subsidy was cut by Hambleton Council last year.

Stokesley and District Community Care Association estimated a shortfall of £7,000 when Hambleton Council ended direct subsidies and set up a concessionary pensioners' bus pass scheme.

The charity feared its minibus services would suffer as a result of the reduction and the issue was taken up by a number of parish councils in the area.

Rudby and Stokesley parish councils called on Hambleton to provide some sort of appropriate, long-term funding.

However, other councillors, including many at Great Ayton, believed the charity did have significant reserves and suggested it consider raising its modest fares to address some of the shortfall.

They also repeatedly said Hambleton Council would support the charity, if it really did face financial difficulties.

Now, the association's administrator, Sue Allen, hopes a Department of Environment fuel expenses scheme might help.

She announced the possibility in a recent letter to Rudby Parish Council, in which she thanked it for its support.

Speaking at the latest Rudby Parish Council meeting, vice-chairman Coun John Richardson said: "The care association is in a quest for funding. It is registering with the Department of Transport and, if accepted, will be able to get 36p back per litre of fuel. It estimates this could be worth £2,200 annually.

"Mrs Allen says this extra money will be of benefit but it is too early to say if it will cover the shortfall in direct subsidy."

The association thanked Hutton Rudby councillors for their interest. Their efforts in trying to seek a solution were gratefully appreciated, Mrs Allen said.

Councillors were generally glad to hear about the development but some expressed ongoing unhappiness with Hambleton Council's subsidy system.

Coun Stuart Robertson is also a volunteer driver with the Stokesley care association. He said: "At the end of the day, the association has lost £10,000.