Liberal Democrats at North Yorkshire are appalled that improving gypsy and traveller sites across the County will cost more than twice as much as the Tory Council originally estimated.

In January this year North Yorkshire County Council successfully applied for a grant to do up the four sites in the county (Carlton, Burn, Seamer and Thirsk) and agreed to pay £205k in matched funding. This was based on an estimate of £550K for the total cost of the works.

However, a further detailed examination and estimate has revealed that the sites are in such an awful state that a further £800K will be needed for the work. The inspection revealed that the facilities were in a much worse state with rotten fittings, dampness and a lack of insulation.

Knaresborough Councillor Bill Hoult, Leader of the Liberal Democrats at County Hall, comments:

“As to the repair bill, how could the Tories manage to get it so wrong?”

“If the estimates had been prepared properly in the first place it is likely that a bigger Government grant would have been available. Instead North Yorkshire Council Tax payers are likely to have to fork out the £800,000 extra cost for this blunder.”

Cllr Hoult adds:

“It is shameful that the Tory led County Council has had responsibility for these sites for 13 years has allowed them to get into such a disgraceful state of disrepair.”