Community Hub

Everyone who travels the High Street in Melbourn can sense that the New Community Hub project is nearing completion! This article aims to provide a clear picture of where things stand and answer some of the questions. When will the Community Hub be completed? The builders are ahead of the original schedule with both the new affordable houses and the Community Hub building. At the beginning of the project it was expected that basic construction of the Community Hub would be complete some time in February 2014; it now looks likely to be before Christmas. This will be the date at which we will first have access to install fixtures and fittings. What key things still need to be done to complete the building? The building ‘shell’ is fully complete and the installation of internal services is now in progress. After the under-floor heating has been installed all electrical and plumbing works will commence, followed by painting and decoration. Why are we building the Community Hub and is it a good idea? The opportunity to create a Community Hub results from an initiative taken by the Parish Council, who negotiated the project with the site developers as an alternative to the originally planned high-density housing. The need for the facilities that will be provided by the Hub, and indeed the desire for a central community meeting point in the village at all, stemmed from the findings from the 2011 Village Plan research. Timing, particularly in economic terms due to the present availability of very low cost funding for the project, could not be better. As a result, there will be no need for any consequential increase in Council Tax for Melbourn residents.

Can we be sure the new venture will be run for the benefit of the village? The new Community Hub will be operated by a group of Charity Trustees, incorporated as a company limited by guarantee and registered as a charity. The terms of the Lease and the charity make it incumbent upon the Charity Trustees to carry out their mission for the benefit of the village and its residents. Who will be the people to run it? Many will have been aware of the recent advertising campaign to recruit new part-time staff to help with the running of the new facilities. We are very happy to report that three of the four part time positions have been filled. These will all be flexible roles, carefully chosen to bring the professional qualities needed. We will fully involve the new recruits in the final preparations, as the opening date to the general public comes closer. The Charity Trustees, who are of course unpaid volunteers, will also continue to provide on-going professional support in the management of the facilities for the village. What will be the Opening Date? Although the project seems to be ahead of schedule, we cannot yet be quite sure when the finished building will be handed over, so that fixtures and fittings, all the necessary fire, safety and other crucial checks and training can get started. Based on the latest information we expect the doors to open to the public some time in the New Year. A separate formal opening event will also be announced for the spring of 2014 as an opportunity to which the press and others will be invited. Who will attend the Formal Opening? It is hoped to make this a truly inclusive occasion, with all quarters of village life represented. There are also obligations to invite some significant supporters of the project. Important amongst these is TTP, who have made a massive and very generous donation towards the costs. Generous grants have also been received from The Big Lottery Fund, South Cambridgeshire District Council and others, who should also be part of the official opening.

These donations are supplemented by low cost financial support from the Public Works Loan Board. This body has chosen to support Melbourn based on their objective evaluation of the worth, benefit and financial competence of the project. Such measures mean the new Community Hub can look forward to being financially sound; a net benefit to the residents of Melbourn many years into the future. Just to recap, what will the new Community Hub have on offer to residents when it opens? The new building will provide the following services: • A Community Café, open during the daytime on weekdays and Saturdays • The Village Library, relocated from the condemned building at the College • A Village Information Point • Exhibition and Meeting Space for special interest groups • Regular ‘surgeries’ available to residents from professionals such as CAB, Relate and officers representing groups such as Housing and Benefits from

South Cambridgeshire District Council • Free Wi-Fi and public Internet services • Public access toilets, during opening hours • A permanent administration centre for and access to the

Parish Clerk

Anything Else? Yes! The new building will have a number of modern meeting rooms, fully supervised and serviced through the facilities already present in the building.

Firstly, local residents, groups and clubs will be most welcome to use the full range of options, receiving priority consideration.

Secondly, this centre, with its secure modern communications and other support services, represents a major opportunity for local (and not so local) businesses. Research shows a strong demand for ‘neutral’ and high quality meeting space that can be used for business meetings, training and other purposes. Hirers can be provided with reception and catering facilities.

One of the newly recruited part time staff will focus on maximising these features. This will benefit both local people and businesses, providing community services alongside commercial hire to support the costs of the new building. Finally, look out for more news and Special Introductory Offers, as we get closer to the opening date! Melbourn Parish Council and Melbourn Community Hub Management Group