Chair of South Swindon Parish Council writes his last column before stepping down

A column from Cllr Chris Watts, Chair of South Swindon Parish Council.

It is with sadness that I report that this will be my last Chair’s report for the parish. I have been Chair for six years, from the point that the parish was created, and this is the right time to pass the baton on to the next person.

I am very proud of what we have achieved in this short period, starting in a single small office in the old Town Hall with two part time staff, to the fully operational self-delivering organisation with over 50 staff that we see today. Having been responsible for delivering six progressive and ever evolving budgets, I am pleased to have received cross party councillor support that highlighted that the parish always strived to put people first over politics at every opportunity.

In the short lifespan of the parish, we have saved two libraries from closure, with a third to be added this year in Badbury Park; regenerated our ornamental parks - Town Gardens and Queens Park- after years of under-investment; rebuilt and/or regenerated 13 playgrounds that had suffered from many years of little or no investment, saved a community centre from closure, invested heavily in GWR Park, opened a new youth club, increased ground maintenance and street cleaning and brought our 14 allotment sites back up to standard.

We could not have achieved this without our wonderful, dedicated staff and officers who have worked so hard in this time to deliver the vision of a people first focused Parish. All employed by the Parish are truly stakeholders who understand the value of making the place we live and work the best it can be, and I am forever grateful and thank them for their constant support.

I would like to thank all the councillors who, over the six years, have contributed so much to the success of the parish council. In particular, Cllr Janine Howarth who has supported me serving as Vice Chair throughout; Cllr Neil Hopkins as Chair of the Leisure and Amenities Committee who have delivered large projects from playground refurbishment to the fantastic Enchanted Garden light Trail; and Cllrs Trish Philpot and Patrick Herring for ensuring residents voices have been heard through the planning system as Chairs of our Planning Committee.

I would also like to thank the many volunteers and partner organisations that have been so supportive in their selfless endeavours to ensure the parish remains relevant in the community, guiding us in partnership, highlighting the needs of the local community. Being Chair has given me the opportunity and privilege to meet so many wonderful people who contribute so much of their time and energy to vital local initiatives and causes.

The parish will go from strength to strength, with many exciting new projects in the pipeline, such as community outdoor sports facilities in Walcot, refurbishment of the Town Gardens Bowl to support an events program, new tennis courts in Old Town, a new Library and community centre in Badbury Park and an orangery café for Queens Park to name a few.

I hope you will all join me in supporting the new Chair of the Parish and the new intake of Councillors after the May 2023 election. It has been an honour and privilege to serve.