Page 4 - link magazine

4 The Link Magazine • July 2005
Promises, promises. Will they bring the people on side?
Swindon is a good place to live in, most people would agree. But since 1997, when the town became a unitary authority and took back
education and social services functions, the way it has been run has been beset by confusion, a lack of clear direction, let alone agreement
of how to move forward. Consequently a deep cynicism has developed in the population as to what the council is about.
In 2002 the Audit Commission These, it claims, will make Swin- However some promises spell town centre cultural performance,
rated the council as one of the worst don an excellent council by 2010. out what council leader Mike exhibition and meeting space for
15 in the country; last December Some promises are existingpoli- Bawdendescribesas'ambitionand yet more offices.
Swindon's status was elevated cies like removing racist or oh- determination to make Swindon a Coun Bawden reckons it's time
from poor to weak. Now, with scene graffiti. Others are repack- great place to live, work and visit.' to look forward. "The council has
Mike Pitt in place as interim Chief aged, such as opening seven new A town centre First Stop Shop for spent too much time firefighting
Executive, seconded from the ex- schools in North Swindon: work is advice and information on all coun- day to day problems. We need to
cellent rated Kent County Coun- already well underway. cil services is promised, as is a focus on future achievements and
cil, and the Conservative party in Some are hardly new, like keep- round the clock call centre and how we will deliver better serv-
control with a clear majority - and ing residents' informed through better access to council services ices. It's also time for the people of
next May's council elections com- Swindon News. Some should have online, the town to hold the council to
ing back into focus - the council been achieved already, such as the The council also plans to turn account."
cabinet has come up with 50 prom- aim of saving £11 million through the Old Railway Museum into a The promises will be published
ises to the people of Swindon to be buying goods and services more multi-agency advice centre, even in Swindon News. See also:
achieved in the next five years. efficiently. though this will mean losing a large www.swindon.gov.uk
Sir Mike turns to town visionary in drive for improvement
When Interim Chief Executive Mike Pitt arrived in Swindon in April to get to grips with Swindon Council's drift and uncertainty, he
wondered about the bespectacled, cigarette smoking character framed on the wall of his new office.
Very quickly he learned of David older documents and strategies to talent. He wants ing three page e-
MurrayJohn(DMJ)townclerkbe- give explicit undertakings to im- all council de- mailsand25page
tween 1938 and 1974, who drove prove the quality of life in Swin- partments con- reports for meet-
Swindon's transformation from a don. I want them to be a constant centrated on one .. -'- ings followed by
single industry town to one offer- reminder to every member of staff. site instead of be- further meetings
ing diverse employment for a They will be reviewed every six ing scattered to confirm earlier
vastly expanded population. months and the public will be told around the town decisions.
Mr Pitt has incorporated the how the council is performing and and much better "To quote
spiritofDMJintohisdealingswith asked to comment." use of high tech- - David Murray
councillors and officers in telling He has also got the council to nology so people John, 'senior staff
them that the council must deliver agree to cut the number of direc- can access coun- must have spirit
better service to its taxpayers. tors from five to eight, pay them cil services I and an element of
He said, "the 50 promises the more and to advertise the new po- online. steel in them to at-
council has agreed brings together sitions nationally to attract the best The council is tain the ultimate
looking into hiv- Shaking up Swindon: Sir Mike Pitt objective.' In the
ing off Swindon same way I want
Services as an 'arms-length con- positive effort throughout the or-
tractor' with the expectation that it ganisation, a drive to get things
• • , will make a 'substantial surplus' done and some risk taking."
to be reinvested in council activi- Mr Pitt, who was made a knight
ties. in the Queen's Birthday honours
He wants to slash bureaucracy list, has been using DMJ words in
and put an end to long energy his presentations to officers. One
Community Dividend Scheme sapping meetings, piles of paper of his favourites is:'Do I pull rank?
and red tape. He said, "I don't No I work by consensus and per-
A minimum of People of all ages and want officers spending time writ- suasion.'
abilities but es eciall
1 % of the children, will be able to
Society's profits try their hand at
are returned + croquet and other
mallet games thanks to
to projects to m a£1,000 Oxford The Link gM a aline
benefit the Swindon & Gloucester
Co-op communitynito

local com munit y ( ' i ^ dividend grant to Swindon Publications Ltd.
Swindon Croquet Club. ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES:
through the 70 Basepoint. Rivermead Call Jenni Fowler on
The grant s to be
Community y
used to purchase new Swindon SN5 7EX (01793)872531
Dividend equipment to increase Tel: (01793) 608840 [email protected]
the number of players. Booking deadline: 4 July
Scheme. Fax: (01793) 608841
Pictured Kay Kane. Wa/cot /magine e: [email protected] "The Link was first published for the West
If you think a project Co-operative Chi/dcare nursery manager Swindon community in December 1978.
and Liam Lambert, Swindon Old Town www.swindonlink.com
you know of could It is completely independent of Link Centre
Co-op manager with Swindon Croquet Club
qualify for a grant members ,John Airey. John Flemington and, in fact, won a competition to name the
of up to £1,000, and Diane Trott Publisher/Editor: Roger Ogle leisure centre in 1984. Distribution in North
Editorial: Tel: (01793) 608840 Swindon commenced in January 1994."
call 0800 43 5902 Editorial copy date for The contents of The Link are protected
by copyright. Use of advertisements in
for more information August: 12 July printed or electronic form is forbidden
.• Published: 30 July unless an advertiser or publisher has
sought permission. Articles and photo-:
Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester .4. Copy for September: 9 August graphs require similar authority
yRegistered in England & Wales. No: 4513027. Registered Office: 130 High Street, Hungenord, Berks. RG17 ODL. Printed by pop, Telfor