Letters: Fully informed

As financial officer and clerk to Sowerby Parish Council, I take exception to comments in that article about the management of finances and information relating to the rebuilding of the annexe for the Thirsk and Sowerby town hall.

I am not disputing statements about information supplied to Thirsk town councillors, but I am duty bound to set the record straight from Sowerby parish councillors' perspective.

The town hall is jointly owned by Sowerby Parish Council and Thirsk Town Council. The minutes of parish council meetings clearly show that councillors have been kept fully informed at all stages, from the funding applications through to obtaining an approved loan and payment of all invoices relating to the project.

Coun Adamson from Thirsk Town Council states he will raise his concern with the District Auditor. I invite the District Auditor and Coun Adamson to inspect Sowerby's accounts. I would welcome it; in Sowerby we have nothing to hide.

I have provided my council with a running report of approved funds which have been spent to date on the project, as a responsible financial officer, contrary to what Coun Adamson indicates has happened. The sums paid are no surprise, the estimated cost was known to both councils, otherwise how would they have known what to budget for? Invoices have been paid on cheques signed by councillors and the clerk. From these figures, a financial statement of the position at any given time can be drawn up.

The steering committee of councillors and the two clerks has met at times to discuss the management of the project, and each council has three representatives on the town hall management committee. I query why Thirsk Town Council's concerns have not been relayed back to the management committee through its representatives, considering it has been widely reported that they were not receiving information and the project has been well under way since the beginning of the year. Opportunities have been given at each Sowerby meeting for queries about the project, and if representatives didn't know the answer then, clarification has been sought from members of the management committee.

Despite articles such as this, the annexe is built and is well-used.

V WELLS

Clerk to Sowerby Parish Council.

Others need help

Sir, - The government should now consider compensation to those who suffered collateral damage from foot-and-mouth disease.

I refer specifically to those forgotten stoics whose farms have been under Form D restrictions for many months. They are often tenant farmers who lack the reserves to fall back on which owner-occupiers enjoy.

Often they have avoided foot-and-mouth disease by observing high standards of biosecurity and husbandry. Their reward has been social and physical isolation along with negative cash flow, as their largely untradeable animals have continued to require feeding, care and attention, often resulting in massive welfare problems outside their control.

The new Animal Health Bill proposes reducing FMD compensation by up to 25pc where it has been proved that carelessness by farmers has resulted in their animals becoming infected, but fairness would suggest that some actions of Defra officials or their agents led to infection. Who would determine these cases? Would there be an independent appeals procedure?

The Devon public inquiry has rightly called for compensation for the victims of Form D restrictions, and I hope the Northumberland inquiry just announced will do likewise.

Victory against this disease is at last in sight, leaving immense social, emotional and financial wounds in its wake. The best way forward in healing these deep hurts should be consideration of the perceptions and needs of others and to be generous within affordable limits.

NORMAN W LESLIE

Veterinary surgeon,

Cambridge Avenue,

Marton-in-Cleveland,

Thanks to public

Sir, - I am writing on behalf of the Blackface Sheep Breeders' Association which consists of farmers who all make their living from farming throughout the North York Moors, many with "hefted" flocks of sheep.

Our members wish to convey their thanks to the public for their co-operation in complying with all the footpath restrictions and closures of rights of way during the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

We are fortunate to live and work in such a beautiful part of the country with some of the best walks in the area on our doorstep, and the public's acceptance of these closures was a great help in keeping the disease away from the moors.

Mrs CYNTHIA BENTLEY

Secretary, Blackface Sheep Breeders' Association,

Baysdale Abbey,

Kildale