News from Swindon's Liberal Democrats

Swindon's Liberal Democrats outline what work they have been up to recently

King William Street School Crossing Patrol Officer Call for Parish Funding

A combined motion at Swindon Council by Labour and Lib Dem  Eastcott councillors for funding for a new lollipop crossing patrol person for Eastcott Road to get children safely across to King William Street school failed. The Conservative administration stance on this is unbelievable in that any retiring lollipop person in Swindon whether through sickness, retirement or a new job will not be replaced no matter how dangerous the road - although they may fund a school warning sign! Stan Pajak is therefore calling on the Parish Council to fund the King William Street crossing person. This would be a radical change for what originally parish councils were created to for, but with the annual sum of only around £3290 for a lollipop person it is well worth it and what parish councils who support our communities should all be about.   

 

Parking Enforcement Shock

Parish councillor Toby Robson a fierce campaigner for better parking enforcement was shocked in his conversation with parking enforcement officers to hear that the new recording system was suffering terrible teething problems forcing officers to use their own mobile phones to seek information or report problems. If this was not bad enough at times due to sickness or long term absences there has been only two officers patrolling the whole of Swindon! Toby says " The Eastcott ward and the town centre is beset with parking problems ranging from dangerous parking to people without permits parking in resident parking zones forcing residents to park illegally or walk long distances to their homes. We deserve better and the talk of improving traffic flow is a nonsense if it is not backed up by better enforcement."

 

Stagecoach Bus Depot Development Agreed by Planning Committee

The controversial planning application for 45 dwellings on the former Stagecoach Bus Depot on Eastcott road was passed at the August planning committee. Local residents believed the scheme was simply not good enough with inherent problems in terms of proximity of buildings to their homes in South Street, not enough affordable housing, overdevelopment, an inappropriate development for a conservation area, ugly and making no funding contribution to public space which by its size it should have done. Stan Pajak who sits on the planning committee moved a refusal on the grounds championed by local residents at the meeting. In a knife edge decision Stan's proposal to refuse permission was defeated by six votes to five.  

 

Dial A Ride AGM

One of Swindon’s greatest organisations namely Dial A Ride which provides transport for people with  mobility problems had its AGM in August. The organisation has had a difficult year adapting to a dramatic cut of over 50% in funding by Swindon Council forcing the loss of staff, a reduced service and an increase in fares. Yet despite these hardships public satisfaction with the service has raised to 89%  and to a staggering 94% satisfaction level for the drivers and the other volunteers. A familiar face on the front of the Annual Report was Stan Pajak who ran the 2017 Brighton Marathon for DAR raising over £1000. Stan said it was a great honour to appear on the front of the annual report and paid tribute to everyone involved in DAR from the dedicated staff, the volunteers, the generous supporters and not forgetting the passengers.

 

A fitting World War One Centenary Memorial at the GWR Park

South Swindon Parish Council has agreed to install an amazing memorial to commemorate the centenary of the ending of WWI at the GWR Park in Farringdon road. Designed by Dr. Mike Pringle the “rusted steel” structure of five upright panels reflect different aspects of Swindon’s involvement in the war. The panels themselves represent the rooftops of the GWR works and simultaneously the barbed defences commonly found in front of trenches on the Western Front. The panels and benches that will surround it together with an information panel are planned to be completed in time for November.