ACTION to combat flooding and to rebuild the rural economy are included in North Yorkshire County Council's plans for the next three years.

The council's blueprint also covers plans to increase the amount of recycled waste and invest in business development schemes.

Cabinet members have approved a series of targets which will go before the full council at County Hall for final approval on Wednesday.

They include reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on North Yorkshire roads by 2010 and increasing the number of people travelling by bus.

Chief Executive Jeremy Walker said it was also intended to help reduce flooding of properties in the county by spending £500,000 a year on schemes.

Last year, 47 properties were protected as a result of spending £750,000 in the Brompton, Northallerton and Romanby area.

The aim is to protect 40 additional homes a year, he said.

On crime, the county council wants to see a reduction in the number of young offenders in its area.

By March next year, the council also plans to develop ten libraries into modern community resource centres, continuing a scheme which is already under way.

By 2007, the council wants to see 80 per cent of secondary schools achieve Sportsmark or Artsmark status, increase the amount of physical education children receive and improve the standard of school meals.

Another aim is to increase the pool of foster carers to 300 by March next year.

Mr Walker said the authority also wanted to increase the number of older people who receive help allowing them to live in their own homes.