Category Archives: News

Oil heating – crisis support

Heating oil

As from Monday 30 March, low-income households reliant on oil for heating and hot water will be able to access support via Cambridgeshire Community Foundation, who will be administering the government scheme on behalf of the council. https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/communities/support-with-the-cost-of-living/crisis-payment

Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme (CLAS)

As from Wednesday 1 April Citizens Advice Rural Cambs and Cambridge Citizens Advice will be providing interim support to deliver CLAS. As Universal Access providers, they will be able to support households throughout Cambridgeshire who are in need of essential household items and crisis support. To be awarded a crisis grant, households must meet the eligibility criteria and provide evidence of financial need.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Have lived in Cambridgeshire for at least six months (unless they have moved to the area for safety reasons)
  • Be facing hardship or exceptional financial pressure (evidence must be provided)
  • Have no savings
  • Be in receipt of, or eligible for, one of the following means tested benefits:
    • Universal Credit
    • Pension Credit
    • Income based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

How Households Can Access Support

Households can access CLAS support in the following ways:

  • Through one of the Citizens Advice websites
  • By calling their Adviceline service
  • By dropping in to one of the listed outreach services on their websites

Websites

www.citizensadviceruralcambs.org.uk  

www.cambridgecab.org.uk

Adviceline phone numbers

Cambridge Citizens Advice – 0808 278 7808

Rural Cambs – 0808 278 7808

Notice of Election

Nominations for the role of Parish Councillor for Melbourn Parish Council are now open.

They remain open until 4pm on 9th April 2026 and must be delivered, by hand, to the offices at South Cambridgeshire District Council, South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne Business Park, CB23 6EA.

The Clerk will be delivering nomination forms to Cambourne on Thursday 2 April if anyone would like them delivered. Please contact them at parishclerk@melbournparishcouncil.gov.uk

Community Benefit Grants – accepting applications now!

Melbourn Parish Council is inviting organisations, charities or groups in Melbourn to apply for Community Benefit Grants.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday 20 May 2026.

Please click this link to access the grant application form or email parishclerk@melbournparishcouncil.gov.uk for a copy of the form.

The meeting where grant applications will be considered by council will be held on Wednesday 3 June 2026 – all grant applicants are expected to attend.