Page 5 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • January 2003 5
What would have happened BLA ^_t- KS
it Swindon had become a city?
The shock and disappointment in public circles that marked the
failure of both Swindon's bids to become a city - in millennium year r
and to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee - highlighted the detach-
ment from reality in the corridors of power in the town. '^s°^s"Y --- , . ,te a a rr^lll
The Link expressed scepticism in way Swindon has been managed
1999 and 2001 about whether the is no surprise. It needed an exter-
town was ready for the accolade. nal force to cut through the fantasy 7
Those pushing for city status did and spell out the failings.
not bother to ask the town's people There is now a painstaking task
Reductions on all brands
whether they supported the idea, of rebuilding trust and confidence
nor engage them in a debate as to in local democracy. One can only For free & friendly advice on our •. ' Many lines half price
'
what kind of place Swindon should rue the lost opportunities of the full range of Gutter/Fascia systems professionally Bath Road Corner
be. last five years since Swindon be- installed and guaranteed, CALL US ON Old Town
Therefore the unravelling of the came a unitary authority. SWINDON 855700/855800
Tel: 534271
Unit 23 & 24 Oaklands Ind. Est. Braydon. Swindon
Partnership to make things happen
Mike Bell, independent chairman of the Swindon Local Strategic Part-
nership. explains how communities are being involved in the moderni- Ample free parking odybliss
sation of local government. Open late evenings • Creche
B Health er Beauty
In 2000, Cen- Private and friendly salon y
tral Government a^ _
Gift vouchers Swindon's
launched a pro- Laser hair removal clinic
gramme of mod- 01793 821355 for men and women
ernising local Stratton Leisure Centre Probabl best rates available
government, in- Grange Drive, Swindon
cluding setting- Most major credit cards accepted NEW YEAR RELAXER
up Local Strate- Spend .£30 or more on
gic Partnerships Collagen therapy selected January treatments
(LSP) within Thread vein removal & enjoy a free* back massage
each local au- 1 offer per client. See salon for details
Semi permanent make-up
thority.
While not a Mike Bell, third from left, with from left, LSP administra- # Facials ta> Nail extension € St Tropez tanning l a Electrolysis
statutory obliga- for Dilys Hugg ins, Deputy Mayor of Swindon eoun is Waxing Massage % Nailtiques manicures Lash perming
tion, the Govern- Derek Benf eld, South Swindon MP Julia Drown and
ment did require coun Barrie Thor pson, council cabinet lead member for
the initial 88 lo- community and equalities
cal authorities
who were eligible for the Neigh- up comprising sixteen representa- Stretch your child's imagination
bourhood Renewal Fund to estab- tives from across the four sectors.
lish a Local Strategic Partnership This year it is working with the in three directions at once
by April 2002. various interest groups and
Although not eligible for the stakeholders in Swindon to ensure
funding, Swindon Borough Coun- the format for the full LSP meets Here's a way to spend weekends that
cil adopted the principals and the specific needs of Swindon; it is will have 4 to 16 year olds buzzing.
brought organisations together. accountable and promotes
What is a Local Strategic Partner- inclusiveness of all groups, organi-
ship? sations and partnerships within the Enrol them in your local
In 'government speak' it's an over- town. After public consultation Stagecoach theatre arts
arching partnership to bring to- later this year, the full LSP will be school where they can NEW TERM
gether the different parts of the in place by June.
public sector with business, vol- In the meantime, because of the learn to act, sing and dance. STARTS
untary and community organisa- timing of government and local SATURDAY I I th
tions and people to better co-ordi- initiatives, the Project Board has The skills they learn aren't JANUARY
nate services and target main- also had to undertake certain func- just for the stage. They
stream funding at local communi- tions of the full LSP, specifically grow in confidence
ties. working with Swindon Council to
In practice, what does this mean? develop both a Community Strat- and self-esteem.
Swindon, like most boroughs, has egy and a Neighbourhood Re-
a large number of groups, organi- newal Strategy. Stagecoach training is a training for life.
sations and partnerships each lob- In addition, it is working on vari- There's no audition. Enthusiasm is all they need.
bying for their own area of specific ous Government funding initia-
interests. Inevitably, this can lead tives that require the LSP to be Call Principal Sheryll for a prospectus on
to a fragmented approach when involved in the decision process. 0800 389 7686
shaping the future of the borough Last September, the Project Board
and its communities. The LSP pro- worked with local communities
vides a mechanism to connect the which resulted in a £818,000 en-
council and local communities to dowment for Penhill/Pinehurst NLSTAGECOACH
enable all the issues and needs from the New Opportunities Lot- ' 3' ••
across the borough to be heard tery Fund.
when setting-out the future direc- The LSP aims to find solutions
tion. by bringing people, businesses and
So where is the LSP now? agencies together, for the common http://www.stagecoach.co.uk
Last June, a Project Board was set- good of communities.