Parents petition looks set to succeed (Cambridge Liberal Democrats)

Cambridge Liberal Democrats <camlibdems@gmail.com>

Parents petition looks set to succeed

May 16, 2007 2:35 PM

Local parents have petitioned the County Council to save the hydrotherapy pool at the former Windmill School site for disabled children.

Sally Abbott from the Cambridge Disabled Kids Swimming Club was joined by Lib Dem County Councillor for Arbury, Rupert Moss-Eccardt, to hand in a petition in support of the Steiner School/Mencap bid to buy the site. The County Council today have indicated that they are likely to accept the bid.

Councillor Moss-Eccardt commented:

"After months of pressing for the County Council to put back the community facilities that were lost when the school was closed, I'm glad to see common sense has prevailed. I'm also glad that those members of our community, least able to speak for themselves, such as members of the Cambridge Disabled Kids Swimming Club, have at last been considered.

"I do hope that future arrangements for school organisations and building will take into account the needs of local communities. I have had an assurance from the new Leader of the Council on this and I intend to hold her to it."

Cllr Alan Melton, receiving petition from Sally Abbot and Cllr Rupert Moss-Eccardt

Sally Abbott and Cllr Rupert Moss-Eccardt present the petition to Cabinet member Alan Melton

Local MP, David Howarth, added:

"I have written to the County Council several times to persuade them to take full account of the community benefits of the Steiner School and Mencap bid when selling the Windmill School site. I am glad that after years of not listening the County Council has finally listened to the concerns of local parents and disabled children.

"Disabled children had been left by the County Council without access to the swimming classes they had previously enjoyed and I'm very pleased that the County Council has finally recognised the community benefit that the hydrotherapy pool provides."

The Windmill School hydrotherapy pool was very well used by local disabled groups. Since the School closed the pool has been out of action and disabled children have had no where to swim. The Steiner School/Mencap bid has indicated that they will re-open the hydrotherapy pool for disabled swimming groups.