Page 3 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • August 2001 3
Are Local Area Panels a costly shambles?
The West Swindon area panel on 5 July at the Link Centre marked the first anniversary since a new system of local democratic accountability
was introduced by Swindon Council, to hold meetings in the community and give people a chance to contribute to council decision making.
But a lack of promotion meant "If the council wants to engage an audience facing a panel of uni- whether it really represents best
that there were more council offi- people in this way it needs to do dentified councillors working their value. I am sure it is an important
cialsthanpublicinattendance,and more to tell everyone why they way through the papers is experiment whichIhopetheywill
if people had turned up they would might want to attend in the first unexciting. Even though people improve before the cost outweighs
have been put off by confusing place. I understand a large number can raise questions and contrib- the value."
procedures, a sound system on the of organisations are sent the ute, the process feels uncomfort- Area panel meeting dates and
blink and noisy ventilation fans agenda, including us at Age Con- able. venues can be obtained by calling
which made it difficult to hear. cern Swindon, but it is often diffi- "Given that many hundreds of the Swindon Council committee
Jo Osorio, director of Age Con- cult to see the value of actually pounds are spent running each section on 463000.
cern Swindon, one of the few there going to the meeting. meeting, in terms of officer and
commented critically, "it's unfor- "With the best will in the world, councillor expenses, one wonders Some democracy in action tips
tunate that so few people come to • Identity councillors and officers
the area panel meetings thatIhave What does £1,000 buy? with large badges
attended as a local resident. But Each area panel councillor has been allocated £1,000 to spend annually • Arrange the seating to reduce
it's not surprising given the way on good works in the community, £8,000 in West Swindon wards, the confrontational atmosphere
they are presented. £12,000 for North Swindon. Area panels are contemplating what the • Banish party games between
money can be spent on within strict criteria, i.e. no grants, nothing councillors
which will incur expenditure in later years. • Hold meetings in sensibly sized
An ideas? Let The Link know. rooms
y
'WE COME TO YOU' - • Sort out the sound system
* Free collection • Promote the area panel effec-
& delivery People get the chance to comment tively and publicise the agenda
• Drop the £2 charge for the
* Servicing & on city status - at last
^ repairs papers before the meeting
Swindon is thinking about asking its people whether the town
BIKE * No call out charge
DOCTOR should become a city after its first bid was denied in favour of
WE ALSO SELL Brighton, Inverness and Wolverhampton last December.
* New & used cycles The Government is
* New clearance models expected to announce a We have two large
(up to 50% off) new competition to cre- barns full of top
* Parts & accessories ate more cities to mark quality furnishing
the Queen's Golden Ju- fabrics (often more
bilee next year. than 50 metres) which
The Link ran a series are the ends of ranges.
of articles in 1999 criti- Also wallpapers. All are from
cal of the city status bid leading manufacturers at
THE as shambolic and secretive. The town, rather than a rounded com- greatly reduced prices.
Government did not lay down any munity.' Why not come and see us?
BATTERY SHOP clear criteria; the award was said The Evening Advertiser, an eager Sue Cutcliffe. Giles Green,
to be the Queen's gift. supporter of the first bid, con-
Goldstar Services We took the view that the major- firmed on 11 July that it 'was criti- Brinkworth, Nr Chippenham.
46 Manchester Road ity of Swindonians were not clear cised for concentrating on the Tel: 01666 510685
why the town should become a town's economic success without Open Monday - Saturday 9am - 4pm
Swindon
city, and little effort was made to reflecting its culture and history.'
01793 421509 find out their views, or to involve In February this year we sug- THE
www.thebatteryshop.co.uk them in the process. gested that Swindon's leaders Need
Our concerns were reinforced should concern themselves with COMPLETE curtains
when a leaked Home Office docu- 'citizenship' rather than 'cityship' CURTAIN orblinds
Every battery
ment in March 2000 described and engage the population in a SERVICE made?
Swindon's application as 'poorly debate as to what being a
you'll ever ^^ Design, making and complete
constructed,' giving 'the impres- Swindonian means in the 21st Cen- fitting service available
need sion of a particularly materialistic tury. This is needed more than ever. Large range of material samples
Car batteries from £22.99 Free estimating and advice
y
Call Trace or Amanda on
Cordless phone batteries from £7.99
01793 611051
Golf trolley batteries from £43.99
Camcorder batteries from £26.99 PHOENIX SURGERY r
S - Home Sew Curtain l-L
Dunwich Drive, Toothill Village Centre Supplies
Also batteries for: torches, pagers,
100's of fabrics in stock
remote controls, computers, key fobs,
from £2.50/metre
alarms, toys, electric toy cars, Dr Peter Swinyard Heading from 25p/metre
remote control model racing,
Lining from £1.50/metre
cameras SLR/compact/digital Cushion pads from £2 each
Dr Robert Forrester
Battery refurbishment service for: L7 _ All types of rails _ r3
cordless tools, laptops, camcorders, etc. CefltV I S
NEW: NI-MH AA1800MAH SevvjKg West cUU ' 0 Home visits arranged or
re-chargeable batteries
for digital cameras New patients welcome
X111/1 Ener Ize
llllff (01793) 600440

ruwsn DUR CELL
VARTA