LAST week a lively session took place in the council chamber as we debated next year’s budget and I was pleased that Swindon residents attended to offer their own perspectives, writes DAVID RENARD.

Finding almost £20m of savings was never going to be straightforward, but the fact remains that in three years’ time we will no longer be able to rely on financial support from the Government and will have to find different ways to fund our services and support our vulnerable residents.

However, I am confident that we will get through this challenging period, and there is no better example of Swindon’s determination to take personal responsibility for improving our Borough, than The Great British Spring Clean, taking place from tomorrow until Sunday.

The council is again backing this national campaign to get half a million people out and about cleaning up their local communities and, as ever, local people are rising to the occasion.

This perfectly chimes with our pledge to find ways to engage communities and neighbourhoods to increase the cleanliness of their local areas, so it is really encouraging that the council and members of the community are working together to that end.

Supporting Britain’s biggest-ever community clear-up, our call for volunteers to take part in organised litter-picks right across the borough has seen hundreds of people put their hands up.

Everyone has a part to play and anyone can get involved – whether individuals, families, residents’ associations, businesses, schools or community groups.

Last year more than 80 Swindon volunteers took part in a similar initiative called Clean For The Queen, organised by Keep Britain Tidy.

The council’s Localities and StreetSmart teams will be supporting local events, loaning litter picking equipment and removing the waste collected.

We’re in touch with more than 100 registered little picking volunteers and local groups, with each participating group being registered on the Great British Spring Clean website.

Residents, local businesses and community groups have already expressed their interest and will be getting aboard the spring clean, offering their willing hands, refreshments, financial support and equipment.

Strong teams include John Lewis Partnership, Nationwide, Uplands Educational Trust and West Swindon Church.

Residents from Shaw have offered to tidy Shaw Forest Park and Shaw Village centre, while residents and councillors from Park North, Eldene Residents’ Association, and 'husband and wife' teams, are doing their bit.

Our council staff are also volunteering in areas where they live.

I am confident we will beat last year’s turn out and I would like to say a big thank you for your tremendous efforts, which will make a very noticeable difference to our surroundings.