Page 5 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • February 2012 5
Swindon boosts the importance of locality

Swindon Council introduced a new policy on 1 January designed to make decisions by councillors and officers based more closely on the views
being expressed in the many neighbourhoods around the town. Matt Gott, Board Director for Localities, explains how it will work.
We have all seen on the news that proach means that different things
2012 and beyond is going to be will work in different areas. Along
a challenging year for everyone with a steadfast commitment to the
because of the economic situation locality approach is an acceptance
- and Swindon is no exception. that we will need to learn as we go
It is clear that given decreasing and change accordingly.
resources and increasing demand, • In the late 90s Swindon Council
the council’s success can no longer grouped political wards into Area
depend on a traditional view of Panels. These went out of favour and
service delivery. It will depend on reappeared in 2008 as Clusters of
the involvement of service users wards. These are now to be known
and citizens. as Localities.
Our locality approach is a clear Find out which locality you live in
commitment to shifting the way at http://bit.ly/swindonconnect
the council works so that it is Taking on new roles, the Locality Leaders cast list, from left, Kathryn Langdown –
closer to local people. Six newly North Swindon, Nazakat Ali – East, Paula Harrison – West, Andy Reeves – North
appointed Locality Lead Officers Central, Mark Walker – Central, Matt Gott – Board Director Localities, Jackie Moyles Purton House
are already working closely with – South, Andrea Barratt - North East, Pam Gough – North East Organics
elected members in their areas and FARM SHOP
the conversation starts now. They the idea that the best outcomes are and encourage people to get more
will aim to improve information, the result of a relationship between involved in decision making. Top quality food, locally grown and
understanding and awareness of the council, partners and people, A locality approach will also delivered by us to your door via
how the council, and partners, and not a service transaction. help us to understand neighbour- our popular box-scheme (free first box)
work so that people feel able to get Over time we will see greater hoods and places better and share NOW OPEN: LARGER FARM SHOP
involved in decisions and services delegation and local decision information effectively. We want
that affect them most, when they making. We will focus on joining to overlay the data we have about stocking fresh locally grown
want to. up services with the wider public neighbourhoods - health, educa- vegetables, organic meat and eggs,
The locality leads will seek to sector, and with other providers, at tion, skills, employment, etc. - with dairy produce, honey, preserves,
generate more conversations, more the local level. local stories. This is the only way cupboard essentials and household goods
often, with more people, concerning We will look to connect people that we will make better decisions
the things people care about. This and groups more effectively, nur- with scarcer resources and get better
has to be the starting point for get- ture and support community-led outcomes from services. Tel: 01793 772287
ting better insight and reinforcing initiatives, invest in local enterprise The very nature of a local ap- www.purtonhouseorganics.co.uk

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