Page 7 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • October 2008 7
MP calls for an elected mayor to give Swindon

strong, decisive and visionary leadership

North Swindon MP Michael Wills explains why he supports The Link’s campaign with talkswindon.org
to give Swindon’s citizens a referendum to elect their own leader, which they were denied in 2001
Every month, I receive hundreds of letters about Swindon Borough Council. People care about how this
town is run and now a petition is under way to change it.
It’s not about which party or economy but if we don’t get it right, Council debate referendum
which people should run it but we could suffer. This is a time for As The Link went to press LibDem
about the system. The petition is for strong, decisive and visionary lead- group leader Coun Stan Pajak an-
Swindon to have an elected mayor, ership and an elected mayor could nounced that he is proposing at the
someone directly elected by the vot- help produce it. full meeting of Swindon Council on
ers of Swindon, who would appoint As importantly, elected mayors 25 September that citizens of the
cabinet members in the council and can help improve the way local gov- town be given the chance to take
allocate portfolios and soon will ernment is regarded by residents. part in a referendum on the question
be able to chair the Local Strategic Over and over again, constituents of an elected mayor. See the report
Partnership and be the new Crime come to me because they do not at www.swindonlink.com
and Policing Representative. know where else to go for help in
Swindon’s honorary mayors, dealing with the council. I have no
from all parties, have power over the council It’s simple!
always been exemplary so all I can do is ask for
servants of the town help on their behalf 1 You drop it off
and we all have reason and take on the burden 2 We sell it on eBay for you
to be grateful to them, of the dialogue. 3 We send you a cheque
but I believe the case for The evidence shows
a directly elected mayor that directly elected Turn your treasures into cash
is now compelling. mayors are more vis- and let us sell your unwanted
The fact that they ible than councillors items on eBay for you.
are directly elected and give residents a
by voters gives them greater sense that there Call us now 0845 22 694 22
a capacity for strong is someone account-
and decisive leadership able for what happens Let Us Auction It Ltd, BSS House, Unit 36
which is often lacking from the in local government. This new sys- Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, Swindon SN2 2PJ
current system. In the eleven years tem can improve the performance www.letusauctionit.co.uk
I have been the MP for North Swin- of a local authority in areas which
(Only items valued at £35 or more can be accepted)
don, I have watched how council matter to residents and increase 0533 BP advert_vis1:Layout 1 13/6/08 12:50 Page 1
leaders from all parties have been the democratic legitimacy of local
hamstrung by their lack of an inde- government.
pendent mandate from voters and Finally, I believe it is always
the need constantly to protect their desirable that power should be Make sure you’re in the picture
backs from their colleagues. diffused as widely as possible. A
I stress that this has affected all directly elected mayor - directly Find out what makes us Swindon’s favourite flexible business centre
administrations, as every time I say accountable to voters - would al-
something that could be construed, ways be a valuable counterweight
however remotely, as a criticism to the council, whichever party is in
of the council, I am abused for power at the time, and act as a check
partisanship. and balance to the sort of arbitrary
A major national survey of decisions which I have seen deeply
councillors, council officers and upset residents.
stakeholders has shown significant If readers want to sign the peti-
majorities among these people at the tion, and, for the avoidance of
frontline of local government for doubt, I should underline the fact
the effectiveness of a system with that this is being run by residents
an elected mayor over alternative and I have had nothing to do with
systems. organising it, they can do so at:
Swindon is now entering a crucial www.talkswindon.org/petition
stage in its history. We are poised to And I would recommend looking
benefit tremendously from growth at the articles about elected mayors
and our exposure to the global at www.swindonlink.com

National Childbirth Trust Nearly New Sale
Saturday 11 October, 11am -1pm. Our business units include small micro offices, large linked business suites,
studios and workshop units.
Entry £1. Oasis Leisure Centre
• Units from £99 + VAT per week • Meeting/training/seminar rooms
Choose from a fantastic selection of children’s clothing (0 - 4 years), • Great location • Advice and support services
cots, prams, nursery equipment, maternity wear, toys, DVDs, books. • Two-week rolling licence • Fully inclusive rent
To sell items, send a cheque for £2.50 made payable to ‘NCT Swindon • Broadband • Free parking
Branch’, to: 2 Wyvern Close, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4DL • CCTV • Lounge/breakout area
• 24/7 access
Book a stall at Xmas Fair
The Friends of Bridlewood School and the National Childbirth Trust 01793 608800
are combining to hold a joint Christmas shopping evening at
Bridlewood Primary School in Ash Brake on Thursday 20 November, Rivermead Drive, Westlea, Swindon SN5 7EX
www.basepoint.co.uk
7.30pm. To book a stall mail: [email protected]

1 - 21 October 08.indd 7 19/9/08 11:58:26