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Community News

Shadow parish councils begin to transfer Decision on future of Lydiard Park due
control of services from the borough to be announced in January

With the decision to create three which has already begun meetings
new parish areas taken by Swindon to decide how the process will
Borough Council in November, the move forward in their area and
process of transferring power to which services they will take from
the newly formed shadow parish the borough.
councils has begun across Swindon. For example, Cllr Keith Williams
The controversial plans to create (Con) has been elected Chair of
new parish councils in Swindon the new West Swindon Parish
have been given the go-ahead at a meeting on Wednesday 7
in the face of furious opposition. December, with Cllr Tim Swinyard
Following a heated debate at the (Con) as vice-chair. Cllr Jim Robbins With the six month moratorium the skills from our group and the
November meeting of Swindon (Lab), who is also a part of the new period drawing to a close on 22 wider community, and by laying
Borough Council, constantly West Swindon Parish Council, said: December, a decision on which the foundations of a positive
interrupted by protests from the “We have agreed to hold parish group will be handed responsibilty relationship with the Council we
public gallery, councillors voted the meetings at the West Swindon for Lydiard Park and House is due to have created a sustainable model.
proposal through, 29 for and 26 Library, with them open to the be announced in January. Our bid has been carefully thought
against (with one abstention). public and with an open-question It is understood that there are out and reasoned through to
Prior to the meeting, dozens time at the start. two community bids and one ensure it provides best chances of
of protestors and opposition “For the next West Swindon commercial bid for the whole protecting the future of Lydiard
councillors chanted ‘no new Forum on 8 January, we will be site and two parties interested in House and Park so it can continue
parishes’ on the steps of the Civic asking residents how they think running part. Swindon Borough to be enjoyed by the community as
Offices. meetings should work. Council will now have to announce my great-grandfather intended.”
Existing borough councillors are For instance, will there still be which bid they are to accept to run Mike Bowden, Chairman of
being appointed to run the new a need for West Swindon Forum the site. community bidders Lydiard
shadow parish councils which will meetings alongside Parish meetings Gina Akers, who is part of the Park Heritage Trust, said: “The
be actively taking on services from or should Borough councillors Love Lydiard Trust community bid Localism Act (which gives rise to
the council by April 1 2017. This just attend the parish and have and great-granddaughter of Francis the moratorium) does not require
will be followed the month after a standing agenda item where Akers, who gifted Lydiard to the or envisage a pause such as the
with elections for parish council they can answer Borough related people of Swindon, said: “Along one we’ve had. It simply prohibits
members. questions. I suppose it depends on with the Lydiard staff we have an the council from entering into a
One of the first to be formed has how the elections go with regards extremely high calibre of trustees binding agreement such as a lease
been West Swindon Parish Council, to both councils.” who have been developing high with anyone other than a qualifying
Peatmoor pupils press their point level relationships to progress community group during the
the educational opportunities
moratorium period.
“We are surprised that Swindon
about safety outside their school at Lydiard, while establishing a Borough Council did not use the
realistic and sustainable business
plan to ensure the effective early weeks of the period to meet
financial running of Lydiard. with appropriate bidders and better
“With support and input from understand their proposals for the
renowned national associations, future of Lydiard.”
Get homebuilding and renovation tips at
NSBRC January Show

The National Self Build and
Renovation Centre will once again
be throwing open its doors to
the public on 27 - 29 January,
showcasing the best tips and tricks
for building your own home or
Peatmoor Travel Ambassadors appealing to drivers not to put children in danger renovating your existing space as
Travel Ambassadors at Peatmoor in Walk to School Week and The Big part of their biggest show of the
Primary School won a glass trophy Pedal to try and reduce the number year. renovation and building your own
from Modeshift in December for of cars around the school. The centre, situated on the Lydiard home.
their effort in persuading parents to Headteacher Donna Eaton said: Fields industrial area near Junction Architects and designers will also
reduce the number of car journeys “The pupils took the issue very 16, offers 67,000 square feet of be on hand to guide you through
to and from school. seriously and worked very hard to exhibition space and this year’s the process of creating your
In response to parent emails about promote the ‘walk don’t drive’ and show will take full advantage of vision and the appropriate legal
the parking problems at Peatmoor ‘think before you park’ messages. that space with over 200 exhibitors requirements of your individual
Village Centre and dangers to “Traffic seems to have eased as as well as live demonstrations of circumstances, as well as several
pedestrians, they arranged for a sign a result but they will continue to techniques and practices that will major building and renovation
to be displayed to persuade people monitor the situation." enhance your project or provide companies and providers who will
not to park on the bend leading up The youngsters are now going to solutions to those problem builds. all be able to provide you with
to the school entrance. talk to Swindon Council to suggest Experts are routinely on hand at quotes on the day for your project.
The ambassadors also made whole a one way system around Peatmoor the NSBRC, but will be offering To book your free tickets ahead of
school presentations so that children Centre to prevent cars passing each their advice to all comers on the the show or for more information,
would pass the information onto other in the narrow approaches to day at a variety of workshops and visit www.nsbrc.co.uk
parents and were actively involved the centre. seminars to cover all aspects of Tickets on the day: £12 per person.
swindonlink.com n January 2017 7

NW January 2017 Master Pages.indd 7 16/12/2016 09:40