Molescroft Scouts to get a brand new Hut and Air Cadets a new HQ.
Wed 2nd January 2019
Some great New Year Cheer for the Molescroft Scouts and Beverley Air Cadets is the news that East Riding Council is to find £150,000 to erect two modular buildings to be used by the Scouts and Air Cadets and that Longcroft School will explore the possibility of finding a site for the buildings within the grounds of the school as is it redeveloped on Burton Road. All this follows from the news that the buildings which are currently used by the Scouts and Air Cadets will need to be removed when Longcroft Lower School is demolished, which had the groups fearing for their existence.
5000 people signed a petition when they heard that there was a possibility that the Scouts and Air Cadets could be homeless. Both groups are over-subscribed with waiting lists.
Molescroft Scouts was founded in 1934 and has met at Longcroft School since then. There are Beavers (6-8 years); Cubs (8-10), Scouts (10-14) and Explorers (14-18). 18 year-olds then often train to become Scout leaders themselves. All leaders and helpers are volunteers.
399 (Beverley) RAF Air Cadets Squadron are for 12-18 year-olds and beyond who are interested in exciting and adventurous challenges, especially those keen on flying and perhaps joining the RAF. Members learn to parade and march, hence the requirement for meeting space includes provision for a parade ground.
The Chair and Vice Chair of Molescroft Parish Council, and St Mary's Ward Councillor
“I was able to set up a meeting at the end of November with the Council’s Chief Executive and Director of Planning & Regeneration. The Chairman and Vice Chairman of Molescroft Parish Council also attended. It was clear from that meeting that the senior council officers were willing to do what they could for the scouts and cadets, including working with Longcroft School to find a new site for their HQ buildings in the grounds of the re developed school, on Burton Road. They also said that they would investigate whether any financial support could be found.
“Then, in the week before Christmas, the news came through that Longcroft School is happy to explore the idea of using land at the upper school site for the new HQ buildings. The Council also confirmed that they have identified a budget, initially in the region of £150,000, for the provision of two new modular buildings at this location to complement resources that the scouts and cadets are putting in themselves. The Council will also cover the cost of removing the old buildings and will ensure that services to the new buildings are properly functioning.
“There is also a pot of money called Commuted Sums, which is money paid by house developers, and I am hopeful that I can help the scouts and cadets tap into some of that, as I have done for other worthy groups in the town.
“This is great news, coming when it does at Christmas time, but there is still a lot of work to be done to make it all happen in 2019, including planning applications, as this will all be subject to the normal planning process. I am very pleased that the Council are listening to the Scouts and Cadets, and are working positively with them to resolve the issue of having new homes to move into this coming year.”
1st Molescroft Scout leader, Andrew Sharpe said:
“We are encouraged about the future after our latest meeting with ERYC. We have moved a long way in just over 5 weeks and we go into the New Year more hopeful of a positive outcome. We look forward to having further discussions with the Council in the New Year.
Councillor Healy continues to be supportive of our plight and has said he will guide us in an application for commuted sums to bring any facilities we get up yo standard. We thank him for his significant support for us.”
