York Guides

After a flurry of requests for help from Ryedale MP John Greenway and Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh, Environment Minister Elliot Morley has hinted that hill farmers in national park areas could get special aid to repair some of the 50 miles of walls and fencing destroyed by the flood water.
In response to a Commons question from Mr Greenway, the Scunthorpe MP told him: "We will assist farmers by applying animal health rules sensibly and considering reinstatement of walls and fencing necessary to maintain environmental objectives.
"The North York Moors national park authority is proposing to submit a specific bid to Defra for funding for the flood damage, and that will be discussed when we receive it in more detail."
Mr Greenway said afterwards: "This is really positive stuff. Good news."
But Mr Morley's message to farmers who have sustained huge uninsured livestock and property losses, and to local authorities left to cope with the massive financial cost of clearing-up and rebuilding roads and bridges, was familiar and less encouraging.
In a meeting between Mr Morley and Miss McIntosh yesterday, ministers once again refused to look at making special funds available.
Miss McIntosh said: "It was good to get a hearing but there was no help. They just don't understand what the situation is.
"There are so many farmers whose income is so low that there's a limit to what they can insure. And now they're being told to clear up, fix everything and get on with it. They're just washing their hands of it all. I'm disappointed."
Last week, the Yorkshire Post revealed that the latest estimate of the cost of repairing North Yorkshire roads and bridges had risen to just under £5m.
There were fears that the council and local emergency services would be left with an even bigger bill, because the area might not qualify for the Government's clear-up reimbursement scheme.
Under the Bellwin formula, the Government agrees to share clearing-up costs with local authorities – though not repair costs – following a disaster, but it is only triggered if that bill reaches £1m or more.
North Yorkshire County Council's appeal for help has been received but yet to be answered.
A Defra spokesman said: "There are agreed procedures in place to assist local areas in the event of extreme flooding.
"The Bellwin Scheme, for example, can provide help to local authorities with the exceptional costs incurred in responding to such events. And the Government is ready to consider any applications that are received under this scheme.
"We will be as helpful and sympathetic as we can in dealing with this issue."