Council to discuss 'New Swindon Plan' at Cabinet meeting
They will be meeting later today to discuss their plans for a 'fairer', 'better' and 'greener' Swindon
Councillors are to discuss the 'New Swindon Plan' today - which is their plan, setting out their vision for a 'fairer', 'better', and 'greener' Borough.
In their discussions later today (17 July), the full Cabinet will be setting out their long-term priorities to improve the quality of life for everybody in the Borough.
The plan has been written following feedback from hundreds of locals and council partners - which was collected in a Borough-wide engagement exercise earlier in the year.
What they'll be looking to do is set how how the local authority will work with communities and partners across the private, public and voluntary sectors - as they also acknowledge the huge levels of pressure on public finances in local government.
In a new document, which has also been published alongside the Swindon Plan, it sets out what the Council intends to do over the next three years to make sure they indeed make Swindon 'fairer', 'better' and 'greener'.
This includes the completion of existing projects as well as new initiatives that will make a positive difference for those living in Swindon - including the Oasis.
It's all been written as the local authority aims to 'reset its relationship' with local residents, whilst also making sure changes are made to deliver better outcomes that provide better value for money for taxpayers.
The council have set out the following actions:
- Actions under the ‘Build a fairer Swindon’ mission include the construction of a new, inclusive youth centre in Park North that would support over 100 children a week. Other work aims to improve the oral health of Swindon’s children and help under-fives achieve a healthy weight
- Activity linked to the ‘Build a better Swindon’ mission includes bringing forward plans for a new town centre entertainment venue and ensuring the recently opened Museum & Art Swindon facility continues to thrive. The Council is also supporting a developer-led scheme to refurbish and re-open the Oasis Leisure Centre, having already exchanged contracts with SevenCapital on a new development agreement.
- Later this year the Council intends to publish a new plan to enhance the town centre, co-ordinating the efforts of key landowners, developers and other stakeholders - with this featuring plans for a major new housing scheme at Marlowe Avenue
- Under the ‘Build a greener Swindon’ mission, proposed actions include installing new on-street electric vehicle charging points; planting thousands of new trees across the Borough; and further actions to increase household recycling
Council Leader, Councillor Jim Robbins, said: “Swindon is a fantastic place to call home but there’s things that need to be addressed to improve the quality of life for all residents. The Swindon Plan sets out the Council’s three priority missions to build a fairer, better and greener Swindon. I’d like to thank again all the residents and partners who have helped to inform this.
“While the plan has a long-term focus, we are also setting out the actions we will take over the next three years to progress these priorities. The plan doesn’t shy away from the reality that the Council can’t do this alone. To varying extents, many actions will require contributions from partners across the private, public and voluntary sectors.
“I know residents appreciate the financial constraints facing local government, but also that we are well-placed as a council to bring together the contributions of everyone with a stake in Swindon’s future. We know the Council needs to do a better job of listening and engaging residents and the communities we serve, building on the positive start that informed this plan.”
Subject to the plan’s approval, it will then be tabled for all councillors to vote on at a meeting of Full Council on 25 July.
You can read a copy of The Swindon Plan on the Swindon Borough Council website.