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COUNCILLORS VOTE FOR CAMBOURNE MOVE

South Cambridgeshire District Council is on the move. Councillors voted to move the Council's operation to new village Cambourne, within the district of South Cambridgeshire, at a meeting of Full Council on Thursday 27 September 2001. The Council's Cambridge-based Hills Road main office and its satellite office on Station Road, Cambridge will be combined at Cambourne Business Park. A Cambridge base will also be retained by developing a one-stop-shop office.

The site of the Council's commercial department at Oakington, which houses the refuse vehicles, has been allocated for housing. A decision on whether to move this site to Cambourne, or elsewhere, has been referred to the Select Committee to consider the future shape of the commercial department before deciding on the exact site and facilities required.

The decision finalises a period of extensive consultation, research and debate in a bid to find the best accommodation for the Council's 550 staff and wide range of services. Property consultants and members assessed a number of potential locations within the district and Cambourne Business Park came top in all the assessment categories. The main reasons behind the need to move are:

  • there are insufficient meeting rooms and public facilities at current locations
  • current offices are too small, ill equipped and do not meet statutory requirements
  • lack of car parking space for office staff and visitors
    • upgrading current accommodation is not viable
Councillor Daphne Spink, MBE, Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council commented, 'Potential sites were assessed according to facilities, sustainability, cost, staff catchment, suitability and accessibility. The views of residents, staff and parish councils were all taken carefully into account. To assist those people who may find dealings with a Cambourne based Council impractical we have decided to retain a Cambridge one-stop-shop office.'

The main reasons behind the decision to move to Cambourne are:

  • Cambourne will ultimately be South Cambridgeshire's largest village with all amenities
  • The Council would be welcomed there and based in its own district
  • All Council departments would be together
  • Sufficient parking and a survey of visitors showed 75% travelled by car
  • Public transport links will be excellent
  • The site adheres to the Council's Travel for Work plan and is closer for most staff than Cambridge

The new accommodation should be ready to occupy from March 2003.


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