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Friends question council’s Lydiard Park figures and calls for delay
Available at
in rush to offload heritage asset

Swindon Council is in a desperate
financial situation due to central
government grant cutbacks. After
several years of cost reductions, this
year alone the council is looking to
reduce its budget by £10 million.
175 Limited Edition Lydiard House and Park has now come
Half Hunter skeleton into focus to achieve savings and the
movement pocket watches council has advertised in commercial
property publications for partners to
celebrating the take on the much loved heritage site.
175th Anniversary In a full council meeting on 12
of the GWR and New November Cllr Jim Robbins (Labour) Friends of Lydiard Park from left, Anthony St John, Sarah Finch-Crisp,
Swindon featuring the said the council should be investing in Sonia St John, Julie Holland, Mike Bowden
Locomotive King George V. Lydiard Park rather than bringing in the 92 per cent of the council’s budget
private sector. He reminded councillors
RRP £225 of the £3.1million Heritage Lottery will be spent on care for vulnerable
Fund (HLF) grant to regenerate the park people which leaves eight per cent
awarded in 2005. for everything else, including Lydiard
He said: “One of the conditions
11-13 Wood Street, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4AN was the council would not sell or let Park. We’ve saved £100million from the
budget and we have to find another
Tel: 01793 522072/527530 the park without first discussing the £60 million.
“We don’t have the capital to invest
Email: [email protected] proposal with the HLF. I don’t believe in places like Lydiard; it is essential we
this has happened and considering
www.deacons-jewellers.com the council is applying for lottery find partners who understand how to
support for its £20 million art gallery manage heritage assets better than the
Extra Sunday Opening Times: and museum in the town centre, I’m council.”
13th December 2015 10.30am - 4.30pm worried about playing fast and loose He pointed out that cabinet
20th December 2015 10.30am - 4.30pm with the HLF.” considered Lydiard’s future in 2013
Cllr Garry Perkins (Conservative), when it launched a review of leisure
Items featured subject to stock availability lead cabinet member for Lydiard and heritage provision, but officer time
said the council is facing a serious had been taken up with the disposal of
financial situation. “In three years time leisure centres and golf courses.

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24 swindonlink.com n December 2015

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