Page 4 - link magazine

4 The Link Magazine • November 2001
COOPERS Conservatives try to make sense of council chaos

CHEMIST Labour finally gave up its hold on power at an extraordinary council meeting on 11 October, after 23 years
in control of Swindon, following a vote of no-confidence put forward by the Conservatives after a
WEST SWINDON CENTRE devastating Ofsted report on the management of education by the Borough Council.
Fine fragrances, toiletries, Despite being the largest group under Labour to a ba- many things with too lit-
ear piercing etc. Labour refused to nominate a new nana republic in seeking tle cash to achieve them
cabinet or enter a coalition with city status, said, "in the all. We have to start lis-
APS, developing & printing other parties. The Liberal Demo- absence of support from tening to the people of
One free 35mm 24 exp film crats, having sided with the Con- the other parties, some- the town."
with every 35mm roll servative motion of no confidence body had to take up the Having made a virtue
developed on the premises on 27 September, voted against the challenge. I predicted a of low council taxes un-
Tel: 872033 Conservatives taking over the ad- year ago that education der Labour, the Con-
ministration.
servatives look as if they
was in trouble, and we
Old Town councillor Mike understand aspects of will have to propose big
Open 7 days a week
Bawden is now the leader of the social services will be rises to deliver the re-
Mon - Fri 9am - 8pm, council with 22 Conservative coun- criticised in a forthcom- quired services.
Sat 9am - 6pm, Sun 10am - 3pm cillors, against 29 Labour council- ing report. We recently heard that But, on a hiding to nothing, any
lors and 8 Liberal Democrats. the youth services are in a mess radical proposals for change by
West Swindon councillor Nick and that the Steam museum is cost- the Conservatives will be blocked
Martin, right, is now the 'chancel- ing even more money to run. I by the other two parties. Political
GOGGLEBOX lor' of Swindon, with cabinet re- expect a forthcoming report from infighting could well continue
sponsibility for finance and best external auditors will be critical of until the elections next May, or
TV & VIDEO value. Coun Martin, who in the the way the council has been run. there could be an outbreak of com-
REPAIR September Link likened Swindon "The council is involved in two mon sense on the way forward.
SERVICE
Bumps in the night shake Ray MP reports back

Free home to the bones Swindon South
estimates Shiftworker Ray Collins from Castlefield Close, Eastleaze reckons MP Julia Drown
his house could be damaged by heavy lorries on Whitehill Way, two is holding one of
* No call out charge hundred yards away. her regular report
back meetings
* All repairs Explaining the problem to coun- some kind of fault line because the on Friday 30 No-
cillors on the West area panel in vibrations through the house are vember, 7pm, _' "
guaranteed
September, he said that his house incredible. My bed shakes when Toothill Com-
Tel: 01793 - 812738 shakes whenever HGV trucks hit a I'm sleeping during the day." munity Centre.
particular spot. "There must be Ray says Whitehill Way is used She will speak
as a rat run from Mead Way to the about activities in
M4 and wants HGVs banned from Parliament and in south Swindon,
the road and forced to use Great and take questions. Everybody liv-
Western Way. "The road is break- ing in the South Swindon constitu-
ing up under the weight. It's not ency is welcome to attend.
right that these huge vehicles
should be travelling through a resi- Planning early
dential area."
Let The Link know if you feel a for The Link
weight restriction should be im- November and December are al-
posed on Whitehill Way. Council- ways busy for The Link as we have
lors hope to have an officer's re- six weeks to produce two editions.
If you are organising an event or
Let our tutors point YOU in the port on Ray's complaint at the next want to advertise a service, please
West area panel meeting on Thurs-
right direction at New College day 1 November, 7pm, at Link let us have material by the dates
Centre. All are welcome to attend. listed below, or before if possible.
DPI$ the Link magazine

Published by
West Swindon Publications Editorial copy date for
I ` _,\ i^ i Papermakers House, Westlea December: 5 November
Swindon SN5 7BD Published: 24 November
Thursday 15th November Tel: (01793) 872282 Copy for January: 3 December

5-8pm Fax: (01793) 878189 `The Link was first published for the West
li [email protected] Swindon community in December 1978.
It is completely independent of Link Centre
www.swindonlink.com
For School leavers, parents & friends
and, in fact, won a competition to name the
All welcome Publisher/Editor: Roger Ogle leisure centre in 1984. Distribution in North
Editorial: Tel: (01793) 872282 Swindon commenced in January 1994."
TO BOOK ADVERTISING: The contents of The Link are protected
by copyright. Use of advertisements in
Call Jenni Fowler on
printed or electronic form is forbidden
(01793) 872531
Booking deadline: 5 November unless an advertiser or publisher has
sought permission. Articles and photo-
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