Page 5 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • May 2009 5
Making the connections between you and your council

The reasons for the low level of community participation in the business of local government are many
and various, even though the infl uence and impact of local councils on everybody’s lives is huge.
There is sometimes a sense that Each cluster will develop differ-
local authorities don’t listen to resi- ently according to Bernie Brannan,
dents and this detachment between below, Swindon’s director of hous-
citizens and councils is a worry for ing and leisure services, who will be
the state of democracy. Swindon responsible for the West Swindon
Council, like others around the cluster made up of the three wards
country, is trying to reduce this in the area. “In some respects the
gap and in April launched a new West is well on in this process as
policy: Connecting People, Con- it has a distinct identity and the
necting Places. councillors and residents have
The borough has been divided been meeting in the West Swindon
into seven neighbourhood ‘clusters’ Forum for some years. It will be
based on electoral wards and each different where a cluster of neigh-
will have an experienced senior bourhoods is brought together for
council offi cer responsible for: the fi rst time.”
• promoting and enhancing a sense Alyson Stevens, right, head of
of community; Swindon Council’s library services
• enabling more meaningful dis- will be responsible for the North We can help you beat
cussion between ward councillors cluster which brings together more
and citizens about community con- recently arrived people in Abbey the Credit Crunch
cerns and involvement in decision Meads and longer term residents
making; in Haydon Wick, Moredon and 1 You drop it off
• developing ways to deliver pub- Blunsdon wards. “Parts of the north 2 We sell it on eBay for you
lic services that are more tuned to cluster are covered by well estab-
local needs, whilst recognising the lished parish councils, whilst the 3 We send you a cheque
limits upon public agencies. needs of the newer and older areas
will create a variety of demands on Call us now 0845 22 694 22
services,” said Alyson. “Over the
course of time the challenge is to Let Us Auction It Ltd, BSS House, Unit 36
bring people together from across Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, Swindon SN2 2PJ
the cluster to discuss what are com- www.letusauctionit.co.uk
mon issues and what can be learnt
from each other.” (Only items valued at £35 or more can be accepted)
In a feature on the coming of
Connecting People Connecting
Places in the January Link, council
chief executive Gavin Jones said, PACKAGING & STATIONERY
“over the last few years the council
has spent a great deal of time and AT GREAT PRICES
energy reorganising the way it Wholesale
operates, raising standards across
Discuss Connecting People all of its services in response to
Connecting Places with government demands, creating
Bernie Brannan at the West partnerships with the large organi-
Swindon Forum on Monday sations we work with like the police ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG ZIGNIG
11 May, 7.30pm, Link Centre and health services, and getting to you need @ www.zignig.co.uk
Community Suite. grips with the regeneration of the Order and pay online and have your items delivered
town centre.
Also speaking: Paul Jenkins, “Connecting People Connecting Or collect from our warehouse at rear of
MD of Thamesdown Places is a long term project to get Unit 1, Bagbury Park, Lydiard Millicent
Transport, on delivering the the council more in touch with
right services in the current residents to build a much stronger Call fi rst on: 01793 770778
economic climate. pride in Swindon.” Email: [email protected]

FURNITURE DEPOT - Now in Swindon

HUGE STOCKS of Sofas, Suites, Beds, Mattresses, Sofa Beds,
Dining Tables and Chairs, Cabinets, Recliners

Why wait? Buy it and take it away TODAY or delivery arranged
Best prices anywhere. Everything a bargain!

Come in and see for yourself, you will not be disappointed!

Mannington Retail Park, Telford Way, Swindon SN5 8WA
(opposite Allied Carperts/Carpet Right/Matalan Clearance)

1 - 21 May 09 Master.indd 5 17/4/09 10:45:25