Councillor David Renard’s column: 'our team of officers have done a magnificent job in keeping vital services running'

This is my first Swindon Link column for several months and I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my best wishes to all readers during what has been a tremendously difficult time for the whole country.

Here at the Council we have faced a number of challenges throughout the coronavirus pandemic, but our team of officers have done a magnificent job in keeping vital services running, while also providing support for those most affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

As we begin to ease our way out of lockdown we are focused on kick-starting our economy and, in Swindon, we have a proud history of bouncing back from adversity.

Fortunately, as we entered lockdown we were pressing ahead with plans to give our town a significant boost. A bid for government funding has now been submitted for the Fleming Way Bus Boulevard (£25m), work is due to start on the new £33m Zurich office block in the Town Centre and the recent planning permission for a massive warehouse at Symmetry Park to the east of the town will see millions of pounds invested in Swindon, creating more than 2,000 jobs.

We have also been selected as one of 101 places to be given the chance to bid for up to £25m as part of the Government’s £3.6bn Towns Fund and we have pulled together a Board with representatives from across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Last month we invited local groups to put forward their own proposals and we have been going through all those applications in detail as we finalise our locally-owned Town Investment Plan, which will be submitted to the Government at the end of the month.

This is a hugely exciting project, which will provide a significant boost to the Town Centre and I look forward to sharing further details with readers over the coming months.