From County Councillor – Susan van de Ven

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small meeting rooms for clubs or societies; an IT café for those without computers; computer links for those wishing to use jobsearch; advice bodies such as CAB and the benefit department from SCDC etc.; central toilets; an ATM machine and a much needed permanent home for the Parish Office within easy access to all. The possibilities for its use are many and very exciting.

At the time of publication, the beginning of the groundwork on the site was imminent. The Parish Council is anxious to keep disruption due to construction work to the minimum with regards to through traffic, neighbouring housing and storage of plant equipment throughout the development.

Work is estimated to continue until late 2013.

Some more background detail on the present library building

A site survey carried out by Cambridgeshire County Council in 2009 recommended that the library building at the Moor was ‘no longer fit for purpose’ and should be demolished. In late 2010, with the prospect of a possible new community building in sight that could include a library, the County Council (owners of the building) agreed to underwrite the costs of the library until 2013, providing the Community Hub was built. These costs were to have included electricity/lighting, water and security and the final demolition of the building.

However, the County Council changed its policy and the village college was given the choice of having the library demolished by the County Council before it became an Academy in 2011, or keep the building and absorb the costs of both running and demolition.

Following discussions between the Parish Council and the then acting principal, Simon Holmes (now principal) and the financial manager, Amanda Sapsford, the college agreed to delay the demolition and continue to pay the running costs of the current building i.e. electricity/lighting, water and security. The Parish Council would continue to finance the library as it already does, with £1000 per year and deal with any unexpected maintenance costs. Fortunately, to date, there has been none. The Parish Council also agreed to pay towards the cost of demolition.

Difficult social care cases: Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you are having a hard time unravelling a social care matter. This is the biggest area of the county council’s work, and one of the most difficult in terms of funding and problem-solving. However, councillors are meant to be your advocates and if you are having difficulties in terms of finding the officer you need to help you, please let me know and I will do my best to help.

Melbourn Division Oil Club: Please remember that anyone can join this bulk-buying home heating oil scheme, sponsored by your county and district councillors. The number to ring is 01954 719452 or 07860 904 045. Please ask to speak to Jeremy Cole, the bulk buyer. The lack of public transport, and the cost to the children’s centre of taxi services for those without private or public transport, remains a huge concern. I’m continually raising this question at the council.

Free cycle stands for the local community: Community groups, voluntary sector organisations, charities, surgeries and places of worship can all apply for up to two new cycle parking stands from the County Council. Each stand holds two bikes. The recipient is responsible for installing them on their own premises. The scheme is being run by a social enterprise called Park That Bike. The £9,000 scheme is funded through the Department for Transport Local Sustainable Transport Fund. To apply visit www.parkthatbike.info, or phone 01594 564 344. Only a limited number of stands are available – so it’s first come, first served!

The Practical Solutions Group has been helping to facilitate on behalf of clubs and events, including Basketball Club’s use of the Sports Hall on a Saturday in preparation for the National Cup competition; MVC’s joining in with the Melbourn Business Association to discuss support for training opportunities for young people; and MVC’s provision of musical entertainment at an upcoming gathering at Vicarage Close Sheltered Housing sponsored by the Care Network.

As always, please contact me any time if there’s anything I can help with.

Drop in Advice Surgery

Cllr Jose Hales and Cllr Susan van de Ven will be holding a drop-in advice surgery at Melbourn Library Access Point (in the green portable cabin adjacent to the entrance to Melbourn Village College) on 7 January and then every first Monday of the month, 2:30–3:30. If this time is not convenient for you or if you would prefer to meet closer to home, please contact: Jose Hales: 01763 221058, jose@josehales.me.uk or Susan van de Ven: Tel 01763 261833

Cycling campaign in December?

This may seem an unlikely time of the year to raise a new idea about cycling, but it the way time flies it won’t be long before crocuses appear and the sun shines a little bit longer.

I’ve been contacted by a growing number of people interested in improving conditions for cycling in our area. This includes people coming to Melbourn for work or apprenticeships. For some cycling is attractive because it is such an inexpensive form of transport. However, while the distance from home may not be great the cycling conditions in this area are very poor.

True there’s little money about these days and true things often take a long time to get done. But if we don’t ask, we won’t get. Therefore I would like to propose that we launch the ‘A10 Corridor Cycle Campaign,’ aiming ultimately for a safe and usable off-road cycle path between Royston and Cambridge and improving conditions for cyclists in the villages along the way. I’ve had good support from council officers on this idea who advise not to be un-ambitious. Please contact me if you’d like to help with this effort.