THE row over the future of door-to-door minibus services for elderly people across the Stokesley area has intensified.

Stokesley and Hutton Rudby parish councils have both called on Hambleton Council to reverse its £7,000 cut in direct subsidy paid to Stokesley And District Community Care Association.

Stokesley Parish Council, which faces an annual bill of £2,500 to sustain minibus services for 36 regular elderly passengers, has described the alleged prospect of local tax payers paying twice for the service as "appalling."

It has urged nine other parishes to lobby Hambleton Council over the matter.

Rudby Parish Council has expressed support for Stokesley and also asked the community care association to submit its accounts to Hambleton Council for a full review. Hutton Rudby tax payers face a smaller annual bill of £420 for the minibus services .

Like Stokesley, Hutton Rudby councillors are prepared to pay for the service, if necessary, but they believe Hambleton Council is responsible for transport subsidies. Rudby councillors have consistently called for a joint-parish solution.

However, leading Conservatives at Great Ayton, where there are another 36 regular minibus users, have rejected the fresh criticism.

District councillors June Imeson and John Fletcher said the Stokesley charity should review its operations and explore alternative funding sources. If nothing were available, it should present its accounts to Hambleton Council for special consideration.

Coun Imeson said: "Stokesley is the only care association that has complained. If they cannot manage, they can send information to Hambleton Council and it will help. They have not actually done this, probably because of their accounts.

"The care association does a first class job and I've congratulated them. But if they are in dire straits, they should write to Hambleton. I have said this umpteen times."

Coun Fletcher, a Hambleton and North Yorkshire councillor, added: "There are a number of other areas that can be approached for grants, such as the Countryside Agency and the county council. Has this happened? The answer is no."

See page 5.