Page 10 - link magazine

The Link Magazine
Swindon Publications Ltd
71 Basepoint, Rivermead Drive, Swindon SN5 7EX
Registered in England & Wales. No 4513027
the positive newsforce in West & North Swindon
Registered Office: 130 High Street, Hungerford, Berks. RG17 0DL
Tel: (01793) 608840 or (01793) 602540
Fax: (01793) 608841
ADVERTISEMENT PROOF
The responsibility is yours!!
: 17 January 2011
Charles Harding
Date .............................................. Business Name: ...............................................................................

Please check this proof of your advertisement to appear in The Link magazine as specified on our
advertisement booking confirmation which you will have received, or is in the post.
10 swindonlink.com • February 2011 By Tuesday 18 January
• If it is correct, sign below and return immediately by post or fax. at the latest
What’s the best way to lead Swindon Council?
• If changes are required, mark them below and return immediately.
Last month Geoff Reid of www.talkswindon.org commented on the inadequate procedure used since last August to establish how Swindon Council
Proceed to publication,

Make changes and

Proof correct, should be led, including the fact that the council had again by-passed the opportunity to give people the chance to consider whether the town

after alteration shown
proceed to publication should have an elected mayor. send new proof

Here council leader Rod Bluh explains why Swindon has retained the cabinet and leader model and how the coalition government’s Localism
Bill will impact on all aspects of civic society.
I understand that the design, layout and graphics (other than those supplied by me) used in the advertisement below
Of the many letters and emails I receive covering the hundreds of services that the borough currently provides, few deal with the constitu-
is copyright to Swindon Publications Ltd. and no part will be reproduced in any other publication.
tional issue of executive arrangements.
That said, there have been a mayors when they did hold such a budget. How democratic is that? in campaigning against an applica-
It is for these reasons that Swin-
Signed ................................................................................. Date .................................... tion runs the risk of being excluded
handful, and there are a number a vote. Once elected, you are stuck
of facts about elected mayors that with an elected mayor for his/her don chose to remain with the cabinet from the actual decision because
those who argue in favour of them full four year term – there is no leader model. It is the system that they are deemed to have made up
N.B. If we do not hear from you by the date above, we will assume that you accept the advert for publication.
have forgotten to tell you: it could way short of a criminal conviction has worked well in England, not just their mind already. It is no wonder
cost over £150,000 just to hold a to fire them. Fact, an elected mayor Swindon, since 2002. The leader can that people find local government
A note about colour: Due to different print processes, the colours used on this proof should only be taken as
referendum; in two thirds of cases needs the support of just one third be sacked by full council at any time arcane and obscure when their lo-
a guide of what your advertisement will look like when the magazine is printed.
elsewhere, electors have said no to of the councillors to force through if he or she loses a vote of confidence cal representative is barred from
and a majority of speaking on their
councillors must behalf. This Bill,
support the bud- if it becomes law,
LANDLORDS better option will change that.
get. It is clearly the
The third and fi-
The Govern-
nal change is about
URGENTLY REQUIRED ment’s Localism allowing greater
Bill itself has the
control over local
MODERN HOUSES AND APARTMENTS potential to be spending. Before
FURNISHED & UNFURNISHED the most radical 2003, under the
change in local
previous Labour
IN NORTH SWINDON government since administration,
the creation of residents had to
Introductory Management Rates + No Set-Up Fee modern elected endure a series
borough councils in 1835. The of inflation-busting council tax
key clause is the power of general increases – 42 per cent in just three
competence. At the moment, the years. There are still councillors
borough can only spend money or who think that we must always seek
NEW PROPERTY LETTINGS take actions if there is a law saying to increase our budget, because it
that they can. With a power of gen-
is the job of the council to spend
OFFICE NOW OPEN eral competence, the council will be money. Under the Localism Bill,
able to do things providing there is there is a proposal to allow residents
at Unit 2 Greencote House no law stopping it. This will give us a chance to reject excessive council
Redhouse Village, Swindon SN25 2NT tremendous flexibility to respond to tax increases through a referendum.
residents’ needs. Finally, the Bill will give more
01793 734777 The change this represents cannot say to local neighbourhoods about
be understated. It is about freeing planning matters. The strategic de-
the council from the dead hand of cisions will still lie with the council,
Whitehall. As a result of the last but the neighbourhood plans that
government’s inspections through will support the borough’s devel-
the Audit Commission, the council opment plan, will offer residents
saw its role as serving Whitehall a real chance to shape their local
first and residents second. communities.
A second welcome reform will This will not work if it is just a
be to allow councillors to speak on nimby’s charter, but if people are
planning issues even if they serve responsible then it could allow us
on the planning committee. to preserve all that is best in the
www.charles-harding.co.uk www.rightmove.co.uk At the moment, any councillor on borough while still meeting the
the committee who joins residents growing demand for new houses.
Mansfield
Established 1987 Begbie
Associates Ltd
Swindon 772779
e: [email protected] www.mansfieldbegbie.co.uk

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