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Community News

The challenge to Swindon people to do more for their communities

To paraphrase President John F. could call these invisible services.
Kennedy’s inaugural address 55 And as the population grows and
years ago: ‘Ask not what Swindon continues to age, the financial
can do for you – ask what you can pressures will become even greater.
do for Swindon.’ “People also have to be aware that
It was a challenge to a nation, but Government has stated that by 2020
the question applies to any aspect of grant funding of local services will
society where services are provided be virtually removed altogether by
or received. And for Swindon Council which point nearly 80 per cent of
chief executive John Gilbert, it’s our budget is expected to be spent
more important than ever in these supporting vulnerable people.”
ever tougher financial times. This is where the idea of parishing
Looking back on his 35 year career the parts of the town not already
he said local government is now in in a parish council area comes in.
uncharted territory, and this impacts Swindon Council, prevented by
every council taxpayer. “Thinking government from raising council
back, there was never enough taxes without a local referendum, is
money to achieve what you wanted currently carrying out a Community Chief Executive John Gilbert talks about the difficulties facing the town
to do, but when you compare the Governance Review and the council
resources we had then to what we is due to make a decision whether to transparent so that we can co- budget never stops. It’s something
have now after several years of proceed with parishing in November. create solutions to continue those we’re unable to slow down so
austerity we are in a completely new So far, the government does not local visible services. We’re faced by it’s a big challenge to align the
situation. No one has experience impose a cap on parish councils’ having to decide to stop doing stuff, system we’re caught in and the
of the profound change we are ability to levy a local precept (tax) do things differently, pay more, or a expectations of residents.
currently involved with.” to fund locally decided services like combination of the three. As much “Unfortunately arguing that if we
Local government has been hit grass cutting and litter picking. as I would like to use a magic wand, batten down the hatches and hope
hard since the economic chaos John believes parishing shouldn’t there isn’t one. the problems will go away isn’t
of 2008/09. The Conservative be boiled down to pounds and “I fully appreciate people’s going to work. We can only find
Government elected in 2010 has pence. Almost half of the town is in frustration that the council is solutions if the council made up
imposed severe cutbacks which will a parish council which puts decision working to a timetable. We are of elected councillors and officers
continue until 2020 whilst increased making about visible services at a caught in what I call the perpetual work together with residents.
child protection legislation and the local level. It also ensures the money hamster wheel of time where the “It gives all of us hope and helps
rapidly ageing population requiring set aside for providing those services process of making and balancing a us shape the future together.”
extra services has created major is ring-fenced enabling people living
problems for delivering local services in those areas to prioritise what it is
- and this might be compounded if spent on and ensure it goes towards
leaving the European Union has a the services most important to them.
negative impact on the strength of Although change is not to
the British economy. everybody’s liking at first, John
But the changing relationship says passing on responsibility for
between councils and the citizens deciding how a community spends
who elect councillors to make its budget on local services can have
decisions on their behalf is positive benefits. For the last two
something the general public has years, the council has transferred
yet to take on board. People still some local services to existing parish
expect the services they had five or councils and says that feedback has
ten years ago and John recognises shown that residents have seen real
this continuing disconnect. improvements in their local area.
“Over the last eight years, Swindon “From my past experiences I’ve
Council has saved £120 million always believed we should be
from its budget and we have to find striving for greater engagement
around £20 million in savings each with residents to create a better
year for the next three or four years. understanding of the situation the
With that level of budget reduction, council finds itself in and where the
we have to approach service delivery budget goes,” he said. “We need to
differently now and in the future,” explain the context so that residents
he said. will discuss with the council how
“Only eight years ago over 50 per we can work together to find a
cent of the budget was spent on solution. I’m the first to say that we
universal services - the visible things don’t have the answers and they are
like grass cutting, litter picking, likely to be found out there in the
refuse collection and planning community.
services which people believe they “The engagement sessions in
pay their council tax for. This now June and July aimed to provide
has to be funded from just 28 per opportunities for two way
cent of the budget. The council has discussions where officers and
to spend the majority of its money, members explained the financial
the other 72 per cent, on services for or legal limitations on the council.
vulnerable children and adults - you Engagement should be open and
swindonlink.com n August 2016 5

August 2016 Master Pages.indd 5 21/07/2016 18:56