Page 27 - link magazine

WE HAVE SOME COUNCILLORS

A letter from the Secretary of the local Labour party, Mr. Ray Hunt, 51 Ely Close, Toothill
On behalf of the party I would like to thank everybody who supported Geoff Madison, Mike
Mann and Richard Midwinter in the Thamesdown elections held on 19th March. Now that we
have three Councillors on Thamesdown Council, the surgeries, as promised during the
election, will be held. A provisional date for the first is Saturday 25th April, 11 - 1pm
at Oliver Tomkins School. A newsletter will be published from time to time and will
contain a list of dates when surgeries will be held.
If you have any problems or wish to obtain advice, please do not hesitate to contact either
of the three Councillors; their names, addresses and telephone numbers are. as follows:
Geoff Madison 3 Icomb Close, Toothill, Tel: Swindon 24513
Mike Mann 56 Stamford Close, Toothill " " 872125

Rick Midwinter 29 Icomb Close, Toothill " " 43791
SO WHAT CAN THEY DO?

Now that we have three Councillors to represent us
some reflections by Thamesdown Councillor David Hulme.

After being first elected to represent the rapidly expanding area of Moredon and Haydon
Wick on Thamesdown Borough Council, I can remember being asked repeatedly what I could do
about many, many things of concern to people of the ward. Following up these issues in the
first six months, my two colleagues and myself worked as hard as we could to deal with them -
to gain satisfaction for the residents.

The net result was that we got to know about the issues alright - we got to know why it
wasn't possible to exclude lorries and coaches from parking overnight in residential areas,
why the private developers in our ward couldn't be made to provide facilities for our new
estates, why it was difficult to get bus stops moved or introduced, why a community centre
had not been erected in each community area of our ward - in short why many of these concerns
could not be dealt with, rather than actually getting any action, and good though your
Councillors in Toothill, Freshbrook and Westlea undoubtedly are, I suggest that you won't
see miracles happen overnight - Council budgets take up to twelve months for new ideas and
policies to be adopted.

But what I do hope will happen in your ward is that your Councillors and you, as
residents, both individually and through your Residents' Associations, will begin as you
mean to go on, working jointly together in support of the many improvements for which your
ward has been pressing and undoubtedly needs.

It's not enough for you, as residents, to sit back and wait for your Councillors to
act on your behalf. Get in touch with them, let them know what it is that concerns you, ano
make sure they have the information that will genuinely improve the quality of your life in
Toothill, Westlea and Freshbrook so that they can use such information at Thamesdown
Committees.

To your Councillors, can I make the plea that they take steps to inform the residents
of the ward as to what they are doing, and to use every opportunity (Residents' Associations
Church groups, local organisations etc) to build links within the ward that will assist
your community in its growth and in its fight to achieve certain facilities. If your three
Councillors are prepared to work together as a team for the benefit of all in the ward with
active support and involvement from Toothill, Freshbrook and Westlea residents, you will be
surprised how much will be gained and in how short a time.

Much has been written about the western expansion now being in Thamesdown and therefore
having the right to enjoy the same facilities and services as other areas of the Borough, and
that's true - but don't imagine that you'll have everything handed out on a plate to you. The
other areas of the Borough have to fight to get their voice heard and to achieve and
satisfy their needs. Through your team of new Councillors, I hope that your voice will soon
be heard loud and clear at Thamesdown.

Results followed for our ward after some months. If you care about Toothill, Freshbrook
and Westlea, and participate in your ward, I'm convinced that your area will achieve what it
wants also.