‘Crazy and nonsensical' plans to divide Malton and Norton

Plans drawn up by North Yorkshire Council would dissect the historic River Derwent boundary between the towns, with parts of Malton and Norton merged together to create two new council wards.

Cllr Keane Duncan said the plans would not reflect the identity of the two towns and risked sparking backlash from local people.

The Conservative representative is now joining with Malton Independent Cllr Lindsay Burr and Norton Liberal Democrat Cllr Di Keal to make an alternative, cross-party submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission.

Old Malton, Sheepfoot Hill, parts of Old Maltongate and Castlegate would be split from Malton and combined with Norton streets under the council’s draft plan for a new ward called ‘Malton Norton East’.

Meanwhile, Welham Road and nearby streets including Lakeside, Hunters Way and Park Road would combine with Malton streets under the plan for ‘Malton Norton West’.

The boundary line would be drawn down Langton Road, with residents being split between the two wards, which would each elect one councillor.

The Ridings, Millside, St Peter’s Street and St Peter’s Street would go into the West ward, while The Chase, Sutton Street and Wold Street would go into the East ward.

St Nicholas Street would also be split in two, with one side of the street going into the West and the other going into the East.

Cllr Duncan is proposing that Malton and Norton remain united, electing two North Yorkshire councillors across the towns, meaning there is no internal dividing line.

Cllr Duncan said: “Our two towns are distinct, but of course share strong and important links.

“The crazy plan to cross the River Derwent, combining parts of Malton and Norton together, has no precedence. It risks creating confusion and breaking up our community.

“I expect there will be significant concern from local people either side of the river, who will want to remain united with the rest of their town, not split up.

“The only real alternative to the council’s plan is to create a two-member ward covering Malton and Norton.

“We feel this better meets the criteria set by the Boundary Commission, ensuring equality of representation, while reflecting community identity and ensuring effective local government.

“There is cross-party backing for this plan, which is very welcome and will strengthen our case. I thank councillors from Malton and Norton for this important support.”

The plan has already gained support from Malton Town Council, while Norton Town Council will consider it at their meeting on December 9.

Cllr Keal said: “Norton on Derwent town council will be looking at the North Yorkshire Council’s proposals for new divisions in Malton and Norton at our next meeting, but at a first sight the plans that have been drawn up make no practical sense at all.

“They will cut some streets in Norton in half, so that even number houses will be in one division and odd numbers in the other. The plans also move Old Malton over the river into the Norton ward, which makes no sense and is frankly ludicrous.

“The changes are all based around the Boundary Commission requirement to equalise the number of electors in each division, but in terms of community cohesion, geography and practicality they are nonsensical.

“The other option would be - for North Yorkshire Council purposes only - to create one division with two councillors, which would be much less confusing.

“Malton and Norton are two distinct communities each with their own character, but that work well together.

“The towns share so many facilities and services – cutting them up piecemeal like a jigsaw puzzle will do nothing to bring our communities together and is a recipe for chaos.”

Cllr Burr said: “The new boundary lines are bonkers and will split up communities.

“My particular division of Malton will be spilt up and I would inherit some of Norton, which I would be delighted to look after and serve and work hard for, that’s if I decided to stand again in 2027.

“Let’s hope we can work together to try to have a better solution for our communities.”

Following the establishment of the new North Yorkshire Council in 2022, there is significant variance in the number of electors across the county’s divisions.

Therefore, the boundaries must now be reviewed to ensure equality of representation.

North Yorkshire Council has suggested the number of councillors reduced by one, from 90 to 89.

It means each councillor will be required to represent between 5,237 and 6,401 electors.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England will determine the boundaries following the submission of proposals.

Draft plans will be circulated in April 2025 as part of a public consultation and the new wards will come into force from the 2027 elections.

Anyone supporting the plan to ensure the towns are united is invited to email Cllr Keane Duncan on cllr.keane.duncan@northyorks.gov.uk.