Richings Park and Iver Libraries under closure threat

Bucks County Council has announced their intention to consult on “the impact of closing eight small community libraries through the county”. Of these two are in Iver parish: the Richings Park library in Bathurst Walk and the Iver library next to the village hall opposite the surgery.

The claim is that total savings of £198k can be achieved and a substitute mobile library would be provided at about half this cost. Unfortunately as you will be aware finding a parking space near the shops in Richings Park will be very difficult and it is quite probable that no alternative mobile service will be provided in Richings Park.. It will be a great loss to the community.

The full paper giving all the details is available in the library or on the internet at:-

www.buckscc.gov.uk/libraries/review/index

A summary of the case to keep the libraries open is as follows.

The elderly and young will be badly impacted as the library at Iver Heath is not accessible by public transport.

The savings do not take account of the loss of income from rental of DVDs etc.

This is not a credible long term solution to funding problems.

More money is spent on central administration than on front line library staff.

Cambridgeshire were persuaded to keep their premises manned by volunteers so the full cost savings could not be realised.

This runs counter to Bucks County Council’s aim of “Getting closer to communities.”

The government wants to increase literacy standards.

Alan Oxley as your County Councillor is fighting these proposals. However your individual support will considerably strengthen his hand.

How to register your views

There is a petition against closure of Richings Park library available at the following locations: The Post Office Wellesley Avenue, The Chemist in Bathurst Walk, Costcutters and at Cornerstone.

If you want to write a letter this will have more impact per individual than a signature on a petition. It is suggested that you write to:-

Margaret Dewar

Cabinet Member for Community Services

Bucks County Council

County Hall, Aylesbury

Bucks HP20 1UA

If you wish you could also send a copy to

Bob Strong, Head of Service (Library Review)

Libraries and Heritage

E mail rstrong@buckscc.gov.uk

Many thanks to Wendy Jenner who is organising the petition.

Kingfisher Gardens

Perhaps better known as 106, Thorney Mill Road this site has been redeveloped as a community garden. This project has been supported by Living Spaces, a scheme funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to help local people improve their local environment.

You will recall this was a site compulsorily purchased by South Bucks DC from travellers that had got it into a disgusting state (see bottom picture). With funding of £23,700 from Living Spaces, support in kind from Bardons, Simpsons, and money or materials from Bowdens, South Bucks DC, Groundwork Thames Valley and Alan Barrett this site has been turned into an attractive community garden. As soon as the grass has established we will let you all know the date of the official opening.

Station car parking

Some time ago a few individuals tried to stop residents parking on the strip of land between the station railway land and Wellesley Court land see picture above.

The Residents committee set out to determine who owned the land with a view to securing it for the ongoing benefit of the residents as a car parking area.

The land belonged to the Richings Park Estate Company and they attempted to sell it in 1934

The company no longer exists and this asset was not transferred to any new owner so we tried to claim adverse possession for the Residents Association. The land registry will not allow any such claim unless the land is fenced and secured such that only residents can use it. Since this is impractical we have abandoned the idea but we proposed to ensure that the land is kept open such that no one else can claim adverse possession. If you have any views please let a committee member know.