#LeadersinLockdown - your questions answered
We have been asking Swindon Borough Council's Leader about the major challenges facing our region over the coming months
Last updated 28th Mar 2021
As lockdown restrictions start to ease, what are the pressing issues facing Swindon in the months ahead?
We have been posing your questions to the Borough Council's Leader, in our exclusive #LeadersInLockdown interview.
Our reporter Matt Hutchinson quizzed Cllr David Renard on all things Honda, the future of Swindon Town, women's safety, the Oasis Leisure Centre, Swindon Pride, care workers, funding for small businesses and much more.
WATCH: You can see the full video below. We start with a question from the Swindon Town Supporters Trust...
Could Honda's Swindon car plant be bought by an American billionaire?
One of the major issues Swindon has in a post-lockdown world is undoubtedly the departure of Honda.
The Japanese firm has around 3,500 employees at its car plant in South Marston, but is permanently closing the site in July.
This decision has been two years in the making, with the manufacturer also facing significant supply issues in Swindon over recent months.
Earlier this year, Swindon Borough Council contacted Elon Musk, attempting to gauge his interest in buying the site.
The 49-year-old is Chief Executive of Tesla, the American electric vehicle firm. He's also one of the richest people in the world.
Despite Cllr Renard's invite raising eyebrows at the time, he's told us the offer wasn't a gimmick - and insists the door is still open:
Swindon Town's future
Swindon Town supporters have been urging the Borough Council to clarify whether it still intends to sell the County Ground. The Robins' stadium is currently owned by the local authority.
In February 2019, the Council confirmed it would sell the freehold jointly to Swindon Town's owners and its supporters - represented by TrustSTFC.
However, the club's future is currently unclear, due to an ongoing legal dispute regarding its ownership.
The case concerns claims that up to 50% of the chairman Lee Power’s share in Swindon Town is held for Michael Standing in trust.
It's expected that this will be settled over the next 12 months.
Once a resolution is found, Cllr Renard has told us the commitment "is still there" to sell the County Ground to the joint venture:
Do women feel safe at night in Swindon?
The tragic death of Sarah Everard has sparked an outpouring of anger and grief on social media, largely centred around the 'ReclaimtheStreets' movement.
The 33-year-old went missing on 3 March whilst walking home, after visiting a friend in south London.
A week later, her body was found in woodland near Ashford in Kent. Serving police officer Wayne Couzens - 48 and from Deal, also in Kent - has since been charged with her murder.
With the issue of women's safety now more pertinent than ever, a student nurse at Oxford Brookes University's campus in Swindon sent us a #LeadersinLockdown question.
Danni Raath asked: "Given that the majority of nurses are women, who often travel home late at night after shifts, what is the Council doing to keep women safe?"
You can see Cllr Renard's answer below: