Village Voice No 210 May 2010
Melbourne & District
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Waving the flag for St George Full story and more pictures – Page 2
SPoRtinG chance Report into town’s facilities is finally made public A CONSULTANTS' survey into the future of leisure and sporting facilities in Melbourne has at last been published. Costing more than £40,000, the report provides options for decisions and for further actions that could be taken. Councillor John Harrison said the study would "help Melbourne develop a long-term vision for its future sporting and cultural needs, which will ensure that there is a plan in place to take advantage of any opportunities that may arise in the future." The report, first promised at the turn of the year, is now in the hands of the Melbourne Parish Council and the Melbourne Leisure Facilities Group. A period of discussion and consultation will follow. Councillor David Smith, retiring chairman of the council, echoed the statement in the report that it is the "first phase of an ongoing study which we hope will give
us the facilities we need". Although Cllr Harrison told the Parish Council that he had some reservations with the report, the response of other leading consultees in the town has been guardedly positive. Cllr Harrison thought that demand for bowls and tennis facilities should be included in any future plans. Cllr Harrison said: "There are no easy solutions, and while many new facilities will require significant funds which are not currently available, proposals can be identified where early progress can be made." The report is a comprehensive analysis of leisure facilities, identifying "current supply and unmet demand for sports and arts", although, strangely the consultants Pleydell Smithyman seem not to have realised that Kings Newton is within the parish of Melbourne. Neither the flourishing Kings Newton Bowls Club nor the Scout and Guide HQ get a men-
tion. An appraisal of the Bill Shone Leisure Centre is recommended – "detailed discussions with development control officers and conservation architects regarding the future use, alteration or replacement of the centre, to include land valuation, business scenarios, detailed designs and the submission of a detailed planning application". The firm assumption is that the centre is deemed as not "having the capacity to meet future demand for sport and leisure". Philip Dobby, a member of the group who have made a bid to take over the management of the leisure centre and who has been part of the assessment through Melbourne Leisure Facilities Group, is pleased that there is a recognition within the report that the Bill Shone Centre should be developed as an arts and cultural centre, and that sports – like badminton and squash – should be part of a wider sports complex, in Cockshut Lane.
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The Melbourne Sporting Partnership should continue to develop "long-term proposals for pavilion and allied facilities ... to take the form of a business plan ... to include detailed design proposals developed with the relevant clubs ... and to be used to secure external funding. Councillor Andrew Jackson, parish council recreation committee chairman, welcomed the report's analysis, saying: "It makes a start on what is admitted to be a very complex situation we have in Melbourne on sport, leisure and performing arts. It shows the necessity to take a long-term view, to provide facilities for the next 60/80 years." Information about the report may be obtained from Stuart Batchelor, at the District Council on 01283 595820 or Stuart.Batchelor@south-derbys.gov.uk The report will be placed in the Melbourne Library.
CONSERVATIVE parliamentary candidate for South Derbyshire, Heather Wheeler steered the constituency from red to blue when she claimed the seat for the Tories for the first time in 13 years. Polling 22,935 votes Mrs Wheeler triumphed with a 7,128 majority over Michael Edwards, the Labour candidate. This is Mrs Wheeler’s second political success in only a couple of years. She led the Conservatives in their winning challenge for control of South Derbyshire District Council and is the current leader of the council – a position she says she would stand down from if elected as an MP. In a personal message to Village Voice readers, Mrs Wheeler said: “I want to thank all readers who voted for me, giving me such a decisive victory. "I will be looking for opportunities to bring more jobs to the area, to help further the excellent regeneration currently underway in the constituency and fighting to reverse the threat of 12,000 houses on our green fields.”
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