July has so far been a month of rolling up our sleeves and getting on with the job of making the right choices for Swindon, both for today and for the years ahead.
As a Council, we are facing some difficult realities. Like local authorities across the country, we continue to experience rising demand for services alongside significant financial pressures. That is why I was pleased to see the first meeting of our new Financial Recovery Advisory Group take place this month.
Bringing together representatives from across the political spectrum, the group has a clear purpose –finding practical ways to put the Council's finances on a firmer footing while protecting the services residents depend on.
One of the biggest pressures on local government finances is the increasing cost of caring for vulnerable children and young people. Behind every budget figure is a child who deserves safety, stability and the opportunity to thrive.
A particular challenge for Swindon is recruiting enough foster carers locally. Too often, young people have to be placed far from their schools, friends and support networks because suitable placements cannot be found closer to home.
If fostering is something you have ever thought about, even briefly, I would encourage you to find out more about the support available.
At the same time, we are continuing to plan for Swindon's long-term growth.
Work on the emerging Local Plan is progressing, helping to shape how our borough develops over the next two decades. Growth must be accompanied by the infrastructure and services people need, while also creating opportunities to strengthen our town centre and attract further investment.
Alongside these strategic decisions, we must not lose sight of the everyday environment people experience. Residents rightly want clean streets, well-maintained public spaces and a town centre they can feel proud of. That is why at the end of August, we will be launching our Big Town Centre Clean-Up fortnight, with preparations are under way for an intensive programme of improvement works across the town centre, with opportunities for the community to get involved.
We are committed to creating a cleaner, more welcoming town centre for residents, visitors and businesses alike.
Swindon has never been a place that stands still. We have a strong economy, a skilled workforce, thriving communities and an enviable location at the heart of the country. Challenges remain, but so do the opportunities.
By taking responsible decisions now and continuing to invest in our borough's future, we can ensure Swindon continues to be a place where people are proud to live, work and raise their families.
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