Flood defence schemes at two becks in Norton will be overseen by the Environment Agency - though some fear councillors fear this could cause delays.

Ryedale District councillors voted at last night's general services and licensing committee meeting to hand over responsibility for the becks to the agency.

As Priorpot and Mill Becks are not part of the main River Derwent the council must pay for their defence schemes.

The council's deputy director of operations, Steve Oldridge, said that though £100,000 had been set aside in the budget for the schemes this would not be enough.

"There will be a £20,000 bill for consultancy and there may be other added costs," he said.

As a result there is a need to apply for extra grants from MAFF to pay for the schemes, he said.

Coun Elizabeth Shields expressed concern over handing over responsibility for the scheme to the EA.

"I am worried this will cause further delays to the work going ahead - the residents who live on Welham Road and Springfield Gardens are keen to get work started as quickly as possible," she said. Coun Lindsey Burr said residents do not want any delays to the work starting.

But Mr Oldridge said delays were more likely to happen if the EA was not permitted to adopt the beck flood defences.

"If the EA adopts the schemes work will start before confirmation of the grant has been finalised," added Mr Oldridge.

But he said that under current rules, if the council applies for its own grant it will have to wait until the grant has been approved before work will start - which could delay the work

Members also ruled that the council should write to the EA and MAFF emphasising the need for the work to start on target.

During the meeting councillors heard that paper designs for defences had been finalised and that work was on target to start later this year.

Updated: 10:56 Friday, June 01, 2001