MP ‘deeply concerned’ over anti-social issues in Helmsley

Kevin Hollinrake MP for Thirsk and Malton has raised concerns that households with ‘complex needs’ are being relocated from larger urban areas such as Middlesborough and areas of West Yorkshire into small market towns and villages like Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside.

Mr Hollinrake was speaking following a meeting in Helmsley last month attended by a large number of residents in Helmsley to raise their concerns with several public agencies.

The meeting was organised by Kevin Hollinrake MP and the North Yorkshire Councillor for Helmsley, George Jabbour.

York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, Jo Coles, together with representatives and officers from Yorkshire Housing, North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Council, listened to the concerns that local people highlighted, answered their questions and committed to addressing the issues raised.

Mr Hollinrake said following correspondence with North Yorkshire Council following the meeting he remained ‘deeply concerned’.

He said: “It cannot be right that households with complex needs are being relocated from larger urban areas such as Middlesborough and areas of West Yorkshire into small market towns and villages like Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside, where there are few support services and limited visible policing.

“That is setting those families up to fail and leaving local communities to deal with the consequences of unacceptable and lawless behaviour.

“I will keep pressing hard on this matter to North Yorkshire Council, Yorkshire Housing and Foundation Housing on their allocation policies and the management of difficult cases. Social housing in rural communities should, wherever possible, be prioritised for local people, and vulnerable households should only be placed where the right support is available.

“This issue affects communities across North Yorkshire and I will keep banging the drum until we get answers and the changes local people deserve.”

“I also will press for the Government to look again at the national rules governing social housing allocations. The current system is not working for rural communities like ours.”

Helmsley’s representative on North Yorkshire Council, Cllr George Jabbour, said: “Further to the concerns and questions that were raised by local people at the meeting that we organised last week, I have continued working closely with our MP Kevin Hollinrake and liaising with all parties involved.

“We will not stop fighting for our community until we ensure that we get to the bottom of the issues that we heard and that the worries of the residents are addressed and resolved.

“I also took the opportunity at the recent meeting of the Neighbourhood Watch group in Helmsley to provide additional updates to the attendees.”

North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director for community development, Nic Harne, said: “We understand the concerns that have been raised and are working closely with Yorkshire Housing and our community safety partners to review the issues identified in Helmsley.

“There is currently no evidence to suggest that the allocation of social housing has contributed to the issues raised. In addition, movement between different parts of North Yorkshire remains relatively low, with most applicants choosing to live in or close to the communities where they already have established connections.

“While tenancy issues and anti-social behaviour can occur in any area, we take concerns from residents seriously and will continue to work with housing providers and partner agencies to ensure appropriate support and action is taken where needed.”