Page 5 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • April 2011 5
Is power coming to your community?

Have you noticed more infl uence at a local level since 2009?
Swindon Council has to take a new, more joined up approach based on working closely with residents of
the town to deliver its services in the future, according to a report to the cabinet on 16 March.
Council chief execu- Places is about changing However, Lisa Hawkes , chair FOR ALL YOUR PRINT &
tive Gavin Jones wrote this fundamentally.” of Swindon Civic Voice (SCV), ex- DIGITAL REQUIREMENTS
that this can only be In his 16 March cabi- pressed amazement at the report.
achieved if the council net report he writes, ‘vi- “SCV has repeatedly requested to ARTWORK & DESIGN • WEBSITES
accepts that ‘the key as- brant local democracy is meet the leader of the council to LITHO / DIGITAL PRINTING
sumption for develop- essential and it must be discuss community involvement in LARGE FORMAT • CANVAS PRINTS
ing a new relationship exercised responsibly the One Swindon process but have STATIONERY • NCR PADS, AND MORE
with local people is that and appropriately. We not had the courtesy of a response.
as many decisions as must always respond The Swindon Strategic Partnership
possible should be devolved to as to need, but we must also recognise, is directly infl uenced by the council Unit 101 Basepoint Centre
local a level as possible.’ when we design services, that people and parishes are another form of Rivermead Swindon Wilts SN5 7EX
Telephone: 01793 490490
The cabinet agreed to discuss a have capabilities that can help to government. www.mllprint.co.uk
new way of working with groups reduce long term dependency. “Even though the council thinks
across the borough like the Swindon ‘A genuine partnership based on the Connecting People, Connecting
Strategic Partnerships, parish coun- trust between public service provid- Places policy is working, I don’t Tailor-made
cils, ward cluster meetings before ers and Swindon’s communities will see evidence that Swindon accepts
conclusions are debated at the full result in more resilient communities that the input of local community by SueLynn
council in July. ‘The council of the near future will groups are central to this process.
In the January 2009 Link Mr Jones have to be, through necessity and de- People want to get involved - after Curtains
described the big changes Swindon sign, very different from now. It will all its what the government is calling Pelmets
Council was introducing by setting need to move away from services for - but they need that involvement
up ‘clusters’ of wards under its Con- designed around organisational acknowledged and acted upon by Roman blinds
necting People, Connecting Places structures and statutory regulations their elected offi cials. Swags & tails
policy - to give residents the chance to seamless working across all part- “Swindon councillors and offi cers Cushion covers
to meet and discuss local issues with ners. It will need to enable decisions must learn that they have to do more Fitting service available
the councillors representing their about services to be made as close as than tick boxes and pay lip-service
areas. He said, “this is a fi ve year possible to the people who receive to community groups and local ac- No job too small
project to change the culture of the them. It will need to challenge exist- tion groups.”
council. The criticism that the council ing behaviours, assumptions and Have you been involved in Connect- For further information call
is detached from the people it serves ways of working. ing People, Connecting Places clus- Sue: 01793 870451 or
has been valid in some situations. The full report is available at: ter meetings in the last two years? Lynn: on 01793 330595
Connecting People, Connecting http://bit.ly/fX0PVP Mail: [email protected]

1-20 April 11.indd 5 18/03/2011 15:34