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Community News

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

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
With the six month moratorium the skills from our group and the Following a heated debate at the (Con) as vice-chair. Cllr Jim Robbins
period drawing to a close on 22 wider community, and by laying November meeting of Swindon (Lab), who is also a part of the new
December, a decision on which the foundations of a positive Borough Council, constantly West Swindon Parish Council, said:
group will be handed responsibilty relationship with the Council we interrupted by protests from the “We have agreed to hold parish
for Lydiard Park and House is due to have created a sustainable model. public gallery, councillors voted the meetings at the West Swindon
be announced in January. Our bid has been carefully thought proposal through, 29 for and 26 Library, with them open to the
It is understood that there are out and reasoned through to against (with one abstention). public and with an open-question
two community bids and one ensure it provides best chances of Prior to the meeting, dozens time at the start.
commercial bid for the whole protecting the future of Lydiard of protestors and opposition “For the next West Swindon
site and two parties interested in House and Park so it can continue councillors chanted ‘no new Forum on 8 January, we will be
running part. Swindon Borough to be enjoyed by the community as parishes’ on the steps of the Civic asking residents how they think
Council will now have to announce my great-grandfather intended.” Offices. meetings should work.
which bid they are to accept to run Mike Bowden, Chairman of Existing borough councillors are For instance, will there still be
the site. community bidders Lydiard being appointed to run the new a need for West Swindon Forum
Gina Akers, who is part of the Park Heritage Trust, said: “The shadow parish councils which will meetings alongside Parish meetings
Love Lydiard Trust community bid Localism Act (which gives rise to be actively taking on services from or should Borough councillors
and great-granddaughter of Francis the moratorium) does not require the council by April 1 2017. This just attend the parish and have
Akers, who gifted Lydiard to the or envisage a pause such as the will be followed the month after a standing agenda item where
people of Swindon, said: “Along one we’ve had. It simply prohibits with elections for parish council they can answer Borough related
with the Lydiard staff we have an the council from entering into a members. questions. I suppose it depends on
extremely high calibre of trustees binding agreement such as a lease One of the first to be formed has how the elections go with regards
who have been developing high with anyone other than a qualifying been West Swindon Parish Council, to both councils.”
level relationships to progress community group during the
the educational opportunities moratorium period.
at Lydiard, while establishing a “We are surprised that Swindon
realistic and sustainable business Borough Council did not use the
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
renovating your existing space as
part of their biggest show of the
year. renovation and building your own
The centre, situated on the Lydiard home.
Fields industrial area near Junction Architects and designers will also
16, offers 67,000 square feet of be on hand to guide you through
exhibition space and this year’s the process of creating your
show will take full advantage of vision and the appropriate legal
that space with over 200 exhibitors requirements of your individual
as well as live demonstrations of circumstances, as well as several
techniques and practices that will major building and renovation
enhance your project or provide companies and providers who will
solutions to those problem builds. all be able to provide you with
Experts are routinely on hand at quotes on the day for your project.
the NSBRC, but will be offering To book your free tickets ahead of
their advice to all comers on the the show or for more information,
day at a variety of workshops and visit www.nsbrc.co.uk
seminars to cover all aspects of
Tickets on the day: £12 per person.
swindonlink.com n January 2017 13

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