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Community News

Community trust throws a lifeline to libraries in town

An Expression of Interest has individual libraries. Any community together into a true One Swindon has can make savings of more
been submitted by Swindon’s only group wishing to take over a partnership. Final bids, supported by than £17,000 for Liden Library and
Community Library Trust to take community library had to submit an a business case, must be submitted £5,000 at Covingham Library, but
over up to eight of Swindon’s expression of interest by 31 January by 31 March 2017 with a decision these same ideas can be applied
community Libraries. to be considered. by 30 April. to other libraries such as Upper
The Community Library Trust bid The Community Library Trust is Dale Heenan, who is also the Stratton Library at £12,000, or
involves Covingham Library and the only known group in Swindon Conservative councillor for Penhill at £5,400.
Liden Library being taken over that has submitted an expression of Covingham and Dorcan, is heading These are all easy savings which
with a five year plan, and six other interest to manage the remaining the trust. He said: “Months of hard Swindon Borough Council and
community libraries – Stratton, eight community libraries that are work mean that we are confident the Parishes cannot implement by
Even Swindon, Moredon, Old at risk of closure after Swindon plans for Covingham Library and themselves.
Town, Penhill, Pinetrees – from Borough Council cut the library Liden Library are realistic and “This approach will only be
1 September if there are parish budget by over £1 million in achievable with lower running successful if Parish Councils,
councils willing to help fund them, December. costs, and professional Library staff. community groups and all of the
and volunteers or community Following submission, there is “The Library Trust is independent, political parties work together.”
groups able to support them. now a two month period where the non-political, and willing to Any group, business or individual
In addition to the Library Trust, it Library Trust can work with Parish collaborate with anyone to ensure who wishes to assist the
is anticipated two parish councils Councils, Shadow Parish Councils Swindon’s Community Libraries are Community Library Trust should
and two shadow parish councils will and community groups to act as saved from closure. contact Dale Heenan at
submit their own bids for running an umbrella to bring everyone “On day one, the ideas the Trust [email protected]
Budget pressures lead to council job losses and tax hike

Swindon Borough Council plans to time posts from the library service identifying where early intervention
cut up to 90 jobs to save £1.5m as following the cutting of funding to can be made to improve the long
part of its proposed budget. 10 of the town’s 15 facilities. term outcomes for patients and
And the council tax is set to rise Mr Holland added that the process reduce the need for support.
by 7.2 percent – made up from a of reducing ‘headcount’ would “We are also working with other
4.99 per cent rise levied by Swindon begin as soon as possible in order to organisations to look at how social
Borough Council coupled with the maximise savings. workers do their jobs. We are keen
tax levied by the parish councils. Continued demand pressures to re-enable people to get back on
This means that the average on adult social care, combined their feet and be able to lead more
bill will rise by £59.47 per year with increased costs of waste independent lives.”
– excluding extra costs levied by and recycling, lower than He explained that the predicted
parish councils. expected parking income and overspend in this sector was partly
The increase comprises 1.99 increased demand on the a result of demographic change:
percent for the basic amount of council’s homelessness budget “More people are living longer with
council tax and a specific adult has contributed to a predicted more complex health needs.”
social care precept of three percent. Council leader David Renard overspend of £6.5m. He added that further cost
Speaking about the proposed job Council leader David Renard increases have been brought about
cuts, Cabinet Member for Finance, affected at the moment.” explained that the council is looking by having to comply with tighter
Russell Holland, said: “We are He explained that a total of carefully at where savings on regulations on care homes and
hoping that a significant proportion 80-90 posts will be lost from a adult social care can be made and the introduction of the National
of those posts will be lost through a current council staffing level of has made use of consultants and Minimum Wage, which has meant
process of voluntary redundancy. 2,900. This will be in addition to the worked with other local authorities an increase in the wage bill for the
“We are not in a position to recent announcement of the loss to help guide them in this process. large number of low pay workers
say which departments are being of approximately 40 full and part “A lot of work is being done on who work in the sector.”

How can you get involved in Swindon’s new parish councils?

The first election cycle for the new The decision to parish previously
parish councils in Swindon will unparished areas of the Borough
take place on 4 May. followed a year-long Community
In each of the new parishes, a Governance Review process which
shadow parish council has been involved extensive engagement and
formed. This is made up largely formal consultation with residents
of Swindon Borough Council and parish councils.
ward councillors from each area. The statutory minimum number
The shadow parish councils are of parish councillors for each area
responsible for deciding which is five - there is no maximum
services they wish to provide in number.
each of their areas, setting their The number of parish councillors
budget and the resulting precept, in existing parishes in Swindon Prospective candidates should on 4 May can request a postal vote.
and putting in place arrangements range from 5 to 23. contact the election office from 1 To apply, call 01793 464601 or
for services to be provided from 1 Anyone who is interested in March for a nomination pack. All email: [email protected]
April. becoming a parish councillor can nominations must be received by Residents who still remain unsure
Work is currently still underway find information about what is 4pm on Tuesday 4 April. which parished area they live in
with Swindon Borough Council required on the ‘How to become a Anyone wishing to vote but can use the postcode checker at:
staff to make these arrangements. councillor’ webpage. unable to get to a polling station www.swindon.gov.uk/parishes
8 swindonlink.com n March 2017

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