AN AMBITIOUS motion to turn Haydon Wick’s parish authority into a town council was not carried in a meeting.

During the full council meeting on Tuesday night Haydon Wick Parish Council chairman John Stooke had proposed to change the name of the authority The motion was amended to continue as it is, much to the relief of Swindon Council leader David Renard and Haydon Wick ward councillor Oliver Donachie.

Yesterday, Cllr David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick) tweeted: “I’m pleased that Haydon Wick Parish Council decided against a name change to a town council. There was clearly very little public support.”

Cllr Donachie (Con, Haydon Wick) said he was confused by the motion and noted a Facebook poll on the proposal, which voted approximately 120 to two, against the idea.

“A lot of people, rightly, said that isn’t a fair poll or scientific,” he said. “But it gives a general indication.

“At that level you can presume there would be some more consultancy with the public, because ultimately the parish is the public.”

The parish council had discussed the idea as part of its attempts to widen its appeal and more accurately describe the area it represents, which now stretches far beyond Haydon Wick’s boundaries.

“I’m entirely sympathetic to what the parish council is saying in wanting to reach a wider audience and I support them in that,” said Cllr Donachie.

“We needed to raise the concerns of the community and I am very grateful the parish took the time to reflect on those concerns.

“It wasn’t a formal method of getting feedback, but it was an informal straw poll.

“There is an increasing power in social media and we are much more used to it and its effect.”

The ward councillor felt names such as Great Haydon Wick or Haydon Wick & St Andrews would better describe the authority’s boundaries.

“I don’t agree with changing the name to ‘town’,” he said. “I don’t think that solves that issue. I’m yet to find anybody to say that would include Taw Hill, Priory Vale or St Andrews.

“They are more inclined to think it would then cover the whole of Swindon.”

A parish council spokesman said: “Following the expansion of the parish to include Woodhall and parts of Moredon, the council has been giving consideration whether the name and style of the council gave an identity to the many areas contained within the parish boundaries.

“It was agreed that as the name Haydon Wick was recognised locally as covering the whole parish, there was no need to change to one which may not provide the same identity.

“Consideration of changing the style (or designation) of the council was discussed at the full council on Tuesday evening, but after a lengthy debate the councillors agreed to retain the designation of parish.

“Although, it was recognised that the population of Haydon Wick is greater than that of most towns in Wiltshire.

“The councillors are committed to providing the highest level of services to the parish residents and will continue to strive to involve as many people as possible in the work of the council.”