Page 5 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • December 2011 5
Trying to do the best for Swindon

As Swindon Council completes another round of job rationalisation and its cabinet presents its 2013 budget, council leader Rod Bluh explains the
pressure being piled on the council by the changing community of Swindon and the public spending reductions being imposed by central government.
Swindon Borough Council pro- include the need at commission- That is why since 2009 we have
vides over 600 services that touch to repair and ing and buying saved over £30m through greater ef-
all our lives, quite literally, from maintain roads. services to pro- fi ciencies and without cutting front
birth to death. While many people Again, this is vide better out- line services or excessive tax rises.
think of the traditional services expensive. For comes, whether As to the future? We have to
such as street cleaning, rubbish example, in parts that is improved rethink fundamentally how we
collection, libraries and so on, of West Swindon schools, better operate as a council and a com-
these are the smallest areas of the road network care for the el- munity. It is clear that the public
expenditure. is nearing the end derly or higher purse will be smaller, and the need
The council’s main role is to of its expected recycling rates. greater. Yet, our duty to continue
provide care services for society’s life. We have become delivering the right outcomes for
most vulnerable members. How- At the same time we have im- better at managing our own costs by the people of Swindon as economi-
ever, since Swindon expanded proved how the council is run. In reducing the number of buildings cally, effi ciently and effectively as
massively after World War II, we 2002 we were one of the 12 worst we have and retraining staff. possible remains.
now have many people retiring authorities in England. Now we
at the same time. In fact, we have are one of the most effi cient unitary
the second fastest growing elderly councils, spending below average It’s simple!
population in England. This is a on administration and support.
major challenge. Finally, since Swindon became 1 You drop it off
Another role is to safeguard a unitary authority in 1997 it has 2 We sell it on eBay for you
children. The cost of getting this received a poor fi nancial settlement. 3 We send you a cheque
wrong is not calculated in pounds, By 2010 Swindon was receiving £21 Turn your treasures into cash
it is measured in human tragedy, million a year less than the average and let us sell your unwanted
even death. To date Swindon has unitary authority. The previous ad-
avoided that horrendous outcome. ministration’s answer to this was to items on eBay for you.
We still have new schools to build, raise council tax, which it did by 42
as we are legally obliged to ensure per cent in three years. We have not Call us now 0845 22 694 22
that every child has a place. We were followed such a destructive route.
paying for these new schools by sell- Our solution has been to change Let Us Auction It Ltd, BSS House, Unit 36
ing off surplus land but the collapse the way we operate; we no more be- Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, Swindon SN2 2PJ
in the global economy means this is lieve in privatising everything than www.letusauctionit.co.uk
not an option at the moment. we do in having everything run by
Other demands on the council the council. We have become better (Only items valued at £35 or more can be accepted)

The perfect venue for your pre-Christmas celebrations

Winner of the Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year Awardinner of the Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year Award
W
Call us to book a great meal
at West Swindon’s newest
Indian restaurant in December

Our mouth-watering selection of exotic dishes
from our extensive menu, in modern, contemporary
surroundings is the perfect setting for small or large parties.
We also have a fantastic children’s menu.

Arju Miah MBE and partner Mahar Ullah, their staff and grandson Afwan
We’re open on Boxing Day
Open 7 days a week from 12pm to 2pm and 5pm to Midnight.
Take a break from traditional festive Booking strongly advised. Takeaway service available.
fayre and spice up the Christmas
holidays by visiting the Taj Mahal Whitehill Way, Shaw Ridge Leisure Park, Swindon SN5 7DN
on 26 December. Early booking
recommended 01793 872872 • 01793 872870

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