East Riding of Yorkshire Council Will Provide Support To Scout Group

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said they will offer continued support to the Scout group based at Longcroft School.

1st Molescroft Scouts and also the Air Cadets have given notice by the authority and told to find a new home.

With a waiting list of children wanting to join the Scouts, their future is now in balance.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council says the land their hut is currently on is earmarked for development. They said:

“Following a successful bid for funding and with planning permission secured, work will start in 2019 on relocating accommodation from Longcroft lower school to the upper school site.”

“Subject to public consultation, the lower school site will then become surplus to the council’s operational requirements and tendered on the open market for residential development. This is in line with the East Riding Local Plan.”

“The council is keeping the local scout group and air cadet group informed on these developments. They have been given over a year’s notice that they will need to secure a new location to meet. The council is offering ongoing assistance with this.”

The Scouts say they understand the school in need of an upgrade. However, they are disappointed with the lack of consideration they have been shown by the council.

Scout Group Could Fold

In a statement released by the scout group they said;

“We understand and agree with the need for improvement to the buildings at the whole Longcroft School site. However, we are obviously disappointed about the lack of consideration and planning for our future.”

“The Council has no plans to relocate our buildings. They have indicated that Longcroft School is not keen to continue to accommodate us elsewhere on the site.”

“If we have no meeting place, the group will fold, leaving 70 young people without the benefits that Scouting brings.”

Support is also being provided by councillor Denis Healy who said he will start a petition. Cllr is hoping to raise awareness while building public support for the affected groups.

Cllr Healy said that he also feels the whole community are being let down by a ruling political group. He says that the ruling group values commercial development over community cohesion.

While the scouts own the building holding a minimum of three meetings a week, no real assurances have been offered.