4 minute read
From the Chairman of the Parish Council
From the Chairman of the Parish Council Donald Mowatt
“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible”
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… Tony Robbins How true this statement is, when you look at our achievements over the last year, and I am glad to report that the coming year will see no greater shortage of goals.
In the past it has been said that the Parish Council would say one thing and do another. However true this may have been at one time, I am glad to say that this cannot be said today. Although still a means of spreading the word, we no longer rely solely on word of mouth and published minutes. We have at our disposal the dynamics of a world class Village Website, not to mention an acclaimed and award winning Village Magazine; both of which help to carry our message and keep the community fully informed of our activities. We are now very much about playing a full and active part in the day-to-day management of our local affairs, encouraging and drawing on the growing and selfless contribution of volunteers from within the community.
Transparency and inclusion are a vital part of our strategy, affording us a degree of momentum and support from our community that we could previously only have dreamt of. So much so, we are fast becoming a model for others.
The Melbourn Village Plan, now published, is undoubtedly a major win-win for all. It has provided a clear and authoritative pathway to a much brighter future for the village of Melbourn, where the needs of the community come first. At the contemporary Melbourn level, never has so much been owed to so few!
My many thanks, and a very well done to those who gave up their time freely, to bring this truly great plan to fruition. I am also delighted to confirm the Parish Council’s ongoing and continued support for the Village Plan, demonstrated in our formal recognition and support of the Village Plan Implementation Team. It was their purpose to ensure the Plan is properly adhered to, and to subject their work to regular reviews and updates.
Time remains one our greatest challenges, but I am happy to report that our time-management skills, and ability to focus on more positive and cost-effective outcomes, is very much improved.
We recognise the need to clearly state the reason for any unavoidable delays, whenever and wherever they occur. The delayed refurbishment of the village car park is a particularly good example. Yes, we on the Parish Council know that the outcome will be more than worth waiting for, however, we do see the importance of keeping the community duly informed.
We are currently working on by far the Parish Council’s most ambitious project to date. This significant undertaking involves the planning, development and erection of the community building (HUB) on a prime part of the Old Police Site in the High Street. I am more than confident that the Hub and its services to the community will greatly surpass all our hopes and will provide a lasting and appreciating asset that will inject energy into the heart of our village.
The Parish Council is proceeding with the Community Hub project on the basis that funding will not give rise to an increase in the precept. A commitment has been made to hold the precept level, and not increase it with inflation, certainly up to the financial year 2013/2014. In addition to these measures, the Parish Council will be working hard to raise grant funding for the Community Hub in order to maximise this fantastic opportunity for new village facilities. It is not always recognised that the Parish Council are only responsible for a small part of the total Council Tax and that this proportion has actually fallen 8% during the last three years, during which the precept has not changed. The Queen Elizabeth II Fields in Trust
The council has taken steps within the village to ensure that many of our large open spaces are protected for future generations. To celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, this was set up to permanently protect outdoor recreational spaces and ensure that they cannot be sold or built on. To date the Parish Council has nominated seven sites within the village – The New Recreation Ground, The Old Recreation Ground and the Millennium Copse in the Moor; London Way BMX site; Stockbridge Meadows; Elm Way open space and Clear Crescent play area. We are pleased to announce the first of these, The New Recreational Ground, has been completed and a plaque will soon be placed on the site.
In the year ahead, there is much to look forward to. The Parish Council in my view is better placed today to cope with day-to-day challenges of whatever magnitude.
Although we are in the most challenging of times, I remain certain of our ability as a Parish Council to serve the needs of our community. We are a strong and capable team, well served also at District and County level. Further, we have pledged to continue to take all necessary steps to support and greatly encourage all voluntary groups, who continue to play such a supportive and vital role in the development of our community. Again, you only have to visit the Village Website to see how well served we are as a community by such groups, who rightly deserve our every thanks.
