SWINDON’S new parish council is set to have its first meeting this evening as budgets are set ahead of elections later this year.

Nythe Parish Council covers about 1,100 homes and came into existence last year.

As it stands, no parish councillors have been elected, and in the mean time the ward councillors for Covingham and Dorcan, Kevin Parry, Dale Heenan and Richard Hurley, will operate as shadow councillors.

This is because the budget for the year must be set and the full council budget must be signed off by April, ahead of the elections.

Nythe will be breaking away from the Stratton St Margaret Parish Council, and the shadow council members say residents will see a significant reduction in their council tax.

Coun Heenan said: “The first elections for the new parish of Nythe will be held in May, but the council tax for the year is agreed in February by Swindon Council.

“A shadow parish council has been formed of Coun Kevin Parry, Coun Richard Hurley and me, so it’s up to us to agree the first local budget and ensure the new parish starts on the right foot.

“Kevin, Richard and I are holding a public meeting on Thursday [today], and it is our intention to propose a budget that will cut council tax by £50 for each of the 1,500 families in the Nythe area, while providing a good foundation for the parish to improve basic local services like grass cutting”

In the general and local elections in May people will be asked to come forward to nominate themselves as councillors in what will be the first competitive election of its type in Swindon since 1997.

Residents have been consulted on what they expect from the new council, what services will be provided and they will be told how they can stand for election.

The first meeting will be held in the civic offices this afternoon at 4.30pm.

The creation of the new parish council has come as part of Swindon Council’s community governance review, which aims to ensure every parish council or meeting reflects the identities and interests of the community.