New residents' drop-in sessions added to ‘Let’s talk Swindon’ programme

Seven new drop-in sessions are being organised across Swindon for December to give residents additional opportunities to connect with their council.

These are in addition to the three ‘Let’s talk Swindon’ events taking place later this month, hosted by Cllr Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, and Chief Executive Samantha Mowbray.

The drop-in events will give residents the chance to raise local issues, ask questions about services and find out more about the council’s work to build a fairer, better and greener Swindon. Residents can stop by at any time at the following sessions:

Monday, 02 December, 2pm-4pm at Broadgreen Community Centre (SN1 2AN)
Tuesday, 03 December, 10am-12noon at Park Library (SN3 2LZ)
Wednesday, 04 December 1pm-3pm at West Swindon Library (SN5 7DL)
Thursday, 05 December, 10.30am-12.30pm at John Moulton Hall (SN2 5DU)
Friday, 06 December, 12.15pm-2.15pm at Highworth Library (SN6 7AJ)
Monday, 09 December, 11am until 1pm at Wroughton Library (SN4 9LW)
Friday, 13 December, 12.30pm-2.30pm at Pinetrees Community Centre (SN2 1QR)

Meanwhile, places are filling up for the three November ‘Let’s talk Swindon’ residents' events, where there will be a series of presentations and discussions.

Over 4,000 residents completed the council’s annual resident survey with the results shared at these events and residents’ views sought to inform the council’s response.

There will be also be an opportunity for residents to give feedback on the draft ‘Heart of Swindon’ document that the council has produced with partners from across the private, public and voluntary sectors to spearhead efforts to reinvent the town centre.

Once finalised, the document will provide a framework to mobilise effort and guide the future investment needed to help the town centre transition from a past dominated by retail, to a future destination where people live, work, socialise and study.

Spaces are still available for residents who would like to book a place:

Tuesday, 19 November, 6.30pm- 8.30pm at New College (SN3 1AH)
Monday, 25 November, 6.30pm-8.30pm at Central Library (SN1 1QG)
Saturday, 30 November, 2.30pm-4.30pm, at North Swindon Library (SN25 4AN)

Cllr Robbins said: “Over 90 percent of respondents to our annual resident survey said they are interested in the work of the council and it has been good to see the take-up of places for the two-hour, more structured events in November. I’m looking forward to sharing the latest on our work to build a fairer, better and greener Swindon and get residents’ feedback on how this evolves.

“We set out a clear commitment in the Swindon Plan to improve how we listen to and involve residents in our work, building on the borough-wide engagement activity we organised back in January and February. 

"The team from the Local Government Association that we invited in to conduct a peer review noted that engaging in this more proactive and honest way has been welcomed and valued by residents and partners.”

Residents can find out more information about the events and book a place at www.swindon.gov.uk/letstalkswindon