HOUSING bosses in Selby are set to receive a cash boost of almost half a million pounds to build more homes.

The New Homes Bonus scheme is part of a Government initiative which will see councils across the country given the equivalent of six years’ council tax for each new home built. Selby is due to receive £445,327.

But some councillors have reacted angrily to suggestions by council leader Mark Crane that the funds could be divided between the council wards, or between the five area forums, without consulting the local communities and parish councils.

Coun Crane proposed the council could either “give each councillor a share to spend in their wards, which would mean about £10,000 pre-councillor,” or the council could “divide it between the five area forums, giving each area about £90,000 to spend”.

Coun Steve Shaw-Wright, pictured inset, Labour group leader on the council, said the money should be used in areas which had already seen housing developments.

He said: “New housing developments bring with them demands upon many local services. This extra money should be spent in those areas.”

Coun Bob Packham, of Sherburn-in-Elmet, said: “Sherburn-in-Elmet has seen massive housing developments in recent years, however we have not seen an equal rise in the provision in basic infrastructure in the area. Additional shops, services and facilities are need for the new and existing homes.

“This money should be allocated to areas that have the new housing and spent after real and meaningful consultation with the wider local community.”

Coun Crane said: “To be honest, the greatest growth has been in Selby, so somewhere like Sherburn-in-Elmet would not see as much of the funding as Selby would, if it went to the areas of growth. I think it’s only fair that the money should be spread across the district.”