Page 7 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • November 2010 7
Swindon called to act as one

Swindon Strategic Partnership held its ninth conference at Steam Mu-
seum on Friday 8 October. Juliet Platt reports how 200 representatives
from public sector agencies and the town’s voluntary organisations
discussed what the era of austerity means for the town and how a
new policy - OneSwindon - will give direction to future community
development.
This four year part- don is about how we’re
nership plan will re- going to work together
place the council’s ex- with limited resources.
isting Corporate Plan, We’ve worked hard over
Swindon’s 2010 Prom- the past five years on a
ises and the current community strategy for
Local Area Agreement. the town, and we’re not
The four priorities iden- about to abandon our
tified by OneSwindon dreams for Swindon
include: in 2030 just because of
• Cleaner, safer streets Tom Charnock, a volun- the cuts.
and protection and tary sector leader in mak- “We wanted the con-
enhancement of open ing OneSwindon happen ference to be about bet-
spaces; ter, smarter, realistic
• Encouraging regeneration, em- solutions rather than haranguing
ployment, skills and managed us for there being no money.”
growth; Conference attendees heard in-
• Increasing sports, leisure and spirational stories from community
cultural opportunities; groups who have found new ways
• Providing a safety net for the most of working to break down barriers,
vulnerable. while public sector heads were
However, massive local govern- unanimous in their commitment to
ment cutbacks mean Swindon Bor- continue delivering their service,
ough Council has to fundamentally with the emphasis on thinking differ-
re-evaluate its role according to ently and working more closely with
Tom Charnock, chair of the SSP’s businesses and the voluntary sector.
Overview and Monitoring group. Partnership development man-
“The whole concept of OneSwin- ager Alison Chamberlain said, “this
was by far the best conference we’ve
Haydon Brook plan had in recent years. People were Win a meal at The Fat Dog. See page 45
very open-minded about the future,
gets £3m go ahead there were lots of questions and
there was a real buzz in the room.”
Another piece in the jigsaw to There was definitely something
reduce the possibility of future of the Dunkirk spirit surrounding
flooding in Haydon Wick has proceedings said Tom Charnock. “If
fallen into place after the Environ- there’s one thing that the British are
ment Agency announced in early very good at it’s working together
“People who take an interest in Beautiful homes, quality parks
October that they are making a to do exceptional things.
commitment to improve flood
defences along Haydon Brook. their community are clearly aware
Local Swindon councillor David of their challenges and issues, and a new lifestyle for the over 50s
Renard said he was pleased that what they want is encouragement
the agency recognises the techni- and a process to follow in order to
cal, economic and environmental resolve problems for themselves.” New park home
merits of the proposals to protect SSP hope that OneSwindon will
approximately 100 residential prop- be agreed by the cabinet in Decem- plots available
erties, four commercial premises ber, and signed off in January. with a home of
and an electricity substation within Meanwhile, Tom Charnock is
the one per cent flood outline, plus keen that community groups share your choice and
an allowance for the effects of cli- best practice and good ideas about adjacent garage
mate change. how they have tackled issues in
He said, “although it has taken their area. If you have a story to
far longer then we had hoped to get share about your community, mail: Available now at:
this element of the flood alleviation [email protected]
works agreed, following Thames
Water’s substantial investment in Wildwood Park
the surface and foul water sewer Jobs on offer
improvements in the last three 2011 Census: About 80 positions Siddington Rd, Cirencester
years, we are delighted that the available in the Swindon area.
final piece of the jigsaw is being For details mail area manager Orchard Park
put into place.” Alex Todd at: [email protected]
The Environment Agency has Old Oxford Rd, Chieveley
commissioned surveys of the wa- Become a Special Constable
terway by the end of the year so that Information evening: Wednesday 3
detailed designs can be drawn up. November, 7pm, Swindon Gablec- 01793 722100 www.pineview.co.uk
The agency has allocated £2.5m ross Police Station. Register interest
and Swindon Council will pay at www.wiltshire.police.co.uk under lifestyle and location beyond expectation
£450,000 towards the cost. the heading of jobs/volunteering.

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