Public quizzing on centre issue

PARISH councillors are to call an extraordinary meeting to discuss the future of the proposed Melbourn Community Centre.

They decided at a meeting on Monday evening, to carry-out a full residential survey to gauge public opinion.

The proposed centre could be located on a site in the High Street car park.

Parish council chairman Cllr Donald Mowatt said of the survey: "At the moment our mandate is not clear so I think we have to go to the public for our answer."

Councillors also passed a motion to suspend the work of the community centre working party until after the survey is completed.

Chairman of the working party, Cllr Mike Sherwen reassured members that the working party would not be disbanded.

He said: "It is certainly not a disbandment."

"The working party has had a lot of adverse publicity and the results of the survey should point us in the direction that we need to focus."

The survey will, in all probability, be compiled by an external consultant and Cllr Jocelyn Robson said: "I think it would be a good use of council money to get a professional involved."

Cllr Clive Purbrook expressed concerns that the centre could create problems for those residents who live near to the site.

But Cllr Mowatt said: "We are not out to make life unpleasant or difficult."

"I am very much in favour of unity and I will always put that first when it comes to decision making."

Councillors also agreed that they would like to hold a meeting with Insp Chris Savage, from Cambridgeshire police, to discuss the force's policing plans for Melbourn.

It has been suggested that a police facility could be housed in the new Community Centre.

Cllr Mowatt said: "We certainly want to have a central location for the police and we definitely want the police to remain in Melbourn.