A MEETING to revive the flagging Redhouse Residents’ Association will be held tonight.

As a comparatively new community in Swindon, the association is seen as a vital way of giving residents a voice but after the chairman stood down earlier this year because of illness it has ceased to operate.

It is hoped a new group of volunteers will come forward to make up a committee so the association can continue.

The meeting has been organised by local ward councillors, who say they will take over the running until a chairperson can be found.

Vera Tomlinson (Con, St Andrews) will act as chairwoman for the first meeting but said she does not want to take on the role permanently.

She said: “I will run it until we find someone suitable for the role but once that happens I will step aside. It is not something I want full time.

“I am confident a lot of willing people will put themselves forward but, if not, I will stay on.

“Last time a lot of people turned up and I felt it was a good meeting. We had huge numbers of people and it was a way of letting them know what was going on.

“For me, though, it is a two-way process and the residents’ association is a good way for people to let us know about things which are on their mind.”

More than 3,000 leaflets have been delivered to residents to make them aware of the meeting.

As well as setting up a new committee, several other issues affecting people living in Redhouse will also be discussed.

Other items on the agenda include problems on Tadpole Lane, the free school bid, and any relevant planning applications in the area.

Coun Tomlinson added: “I am determined that Red-house Residents’ Association will not disappear.

“Myself and Councillor Mary Friend (Con, St Andrews) have been out delivering leaflets to make people aware (of the meeting) so it should be another good turnout. I believe the residents’ association is vital for people’s voices to be heard.”

The meeting will take place at Brimble Hill School and will start at 7pm.