Page 5 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • February 2003

a grip on a crisis?

investigation into how local councils deliver services to their citizens. Swindon came out very badly. with prospects for
what has to be done to get the town back into good management.

Social Services. Under funded by Mike Evemy, Leader of the worked together to produce a set We want to do more, but Labour
their Government, council leaders Liberal Democrat Group of proposals to turn around our and the Tories have consistently
have failed to set priorities and This time last year, I wrote in The education service. But we still get voted against our plans.
wasted the money they have re- Link about the poor prospects fac- £6 million less than other similar As the council proposes its
ceived. ing the council following years of councils to spend on our schools. budget for 2003 / 04 and in the run
Can things be put right? under-investment in key services This budget shortfall must be ad- up to the May elections, we will be
Yes, I believe the Conservative and 20 years of Labour rule. dressed by the Government to en- leading the campaign for invest-
group possesses the intelligence The Conservatives had recently able our new education service to ment in education and Social Serv-
and the common sense necessary taken over and were proposing to deliver all the improvements we ices and will press for more envi-
to transform Swindon into a suc- slash budgets for want and our chil- ronmental initiatives to make
cessful council. One that will pro- the arts and the dren deserve. Swindon a better, cleaner place to
vide first rate services to its resi- voluntary sector. Social Services live. Read more about our plans
dents. Subsequently, La- hlspectors found at: www.swindonlibdems.org
Proof of our abilities was dem- bour raised the the most vulner-
onstrated in the winter of 2001 council tax by able people in so-
when the Labour cabinet resigned 15.5%, but our ciety were being
leaving the Conservative group to services have not let down in spite
form a caretaker administration. significantly im- of the hard work 9 Supply & fitting of quality
With only 22 of the council's 59 proved and Swin- of front line staff. standard size joinery items
seats we were very much a minor- don is labelled as The council has :• One-off individual items handmade
ity administration. However, dur- having one of the been told that its by skilled craftsman at our workshop
ing our brief time we: worst councils in prospects for im- v Flat packs assembled
• stabilised the education depart- the country. provement are • Doors and windows, mouldings,
ment and set it on the road to re- This Labour run council has poor. We must work together with cabinets, shelving and staircases
covery, talked about the future but ignored users and carers to ensure the serv- v Fitted kitchens & bedrooms
• obtained PFI funding for the the present. Proposals such as city ice is turned around.
building of new schools in Abbey status and the 30 Year Vision have Environmental Issues Please ask for items not listed
Meads and Moredon, and distracted the council from impor- Liberal Democrats have led the Surreyed quotations. not estimates
• set an example of good manners tant issues such as education and way in the council, pioneering Unit 10, Oaklands Industrial Estate
in the management of council social care for children and the household paper and can collec- Bravdon. Nr Swindon SN5 OAN
meetings. elderly. tion; installing over 300 dog bins
How can Swindon Council be- Despite repeated calls for a bal- and championing 5,000 free com-
come a successful provider of lo- anced cabinet, Tory councillors al- post bins for Swindon residents.
cal services? lowed Labour to re-take control of
Swindon can rise from its no star the council in May. I don't think
rating to become a two star coun- the 15,000 people who supported
cil. This can be achieved by con- them last May voted for them to
centrating funds and energy on just let Labour in. My calls to the
core services such as schools, nurs- other two parties for working co-
ing care for the sick and the operation were ignored until the
parenting of children in council Government judged the council a
care. Clear targets must be set to failure. Now Labour and Tories
raise standards and if they are not have agreed to discuss the future
met councillors must be firm but of Swindon in a civilised manner.
fair with council officers. This is good news for the town.
Under Conservative leadership Education
Swindon Council will improve its Swindon's Education Service was
essential services beyond recogni- privatised for three years in May
tion. For this to happen voters 2002 after Ofsted failed the Educa-
must elect a Conservative council tion Authority.
in the May 2003 elections. The council and its partners have

FOR SPECIALIST LEGAL ADVICE
* Conveyancing (On-Line Estimate Service)
* Employment
Family Law Famy
LAWYERS
it Wills & Probate
For more information or detailed conveyancing costs visit:
www.crd.org.uk
Or contact its at:: Commerce House
34/35 Commercial Road
Swindon SN1 5NS
Email: inforcrd.org.uk
Tel: (01793) 617617
Fax: (01793) 511249