A NEW vision for the town has been developed by Swindon Borough Council as it seeks to redefine its role in the face of huge budget pressures.

Local authorities across the country are facing a funding squeeze from the Government, with Swindon's administration having to find around £70 million in savings over the next five years.

Now, leaders have decided to set out a new programme going forward which will see greater involvement from businesses, other public bodies and local residents.

The new vision states that by 2030 Swindon, while not formerly becoming one, will have the feel of a city.

The aim is to make Swindon a low-carbon economy with a strong cultural draw which will attract both people and business to the area, the council says.

Along with the new vision, the council has made 30 pledges which it says will be delivered by 2025.

Leader David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick) says the time has come for people to accept councils can no longer continue to function as they previously have done.

“This vision is about looking at how we can do things differently. We can no longer continue to expect the council continue the way it has been," he said.

“We are facing increasing demand on adult and children’s services and this is only likely to increase.

“A key fundamental strand of this is ‘pride in place’. We want to encourage people to be proud of their where they live and want to contribute.

“The council cannot deliver all of this by itself. We will need to work with businesses and public bodies if we want to achieve this vision but we will also need residents to play their part.

“Litter picking up is an example where if people take pride in the area and take responsibility through litter picks, or not dropping litter in the first place, then everyone benefits.”

The new vision will also see the role of councillors and officers change.

“This vision will provide our staff with a guide to how we want things to be done,” said Coun Renard.

“The role of councillors will also have to change. With local groups picking up some duties then we will need them to start dealing with bigger issues to move the town.”

But despite the claims of Coun Renard, the Labour group said the document does not address the key issues facing the town.

Group leader Jim Grant (Lab, Rodbourne Cheney) said: “I think this so-called vision statement is much more a management document, rehashing existing policies and managing change that is happening in Swindon anyway.

“What Swindon needs is a council looking to tackle some of its key strategic challenges. These challenges include Swindon’s perceived lack of cultural and retail offering, which is preventing businesses coming to Swindon and in some cases stopping our own residents from coming in to the town centre area.

“And with housing and infrastructure, Swindon’s two other biggest challenges, there is mention of some things already in the pipeline, but even if they were completed it wouldn’t amount to anything terribly significant in most residents eyes.

“Swindon is a place full of opportunities and sadly the present administration’s view is rather slight in purpose than what Swindon deserves.”

The Vision

“By 2030, Swindon will have all of the positive characteristics of a British city with one of the UK’s most successful economies; a low-carbon environment with compelling cultural, retail and leisure opportunities and excellent infrastructure. It will be a model of well managed housing growth that supports and improves new and existing communities. 

"Swindon will be physically transformed with existing heritage and landmarks complemented by new ones that people who live, work and visit here would recognise and admire. It will remain, at heart, a place of fairness and opportunity where people can aspire to and achieve prosperity, supported by strong civic and community leadership.” 

30 pledges to be fulfilled by 2025

A KEY aspect of the new vision is a list of 30 pledges Swindon Borough Council says it will fulfil by 2025, although some will be completed much sooner.

The pledges cover a variety of topics such as health, education and town centre development.

Among them is the promise to demolish Wyvern Carlton Street cap parks and bring superfast broadband coverage to the whole town by 2017.

Others are more specific long term goals such as building the 12 primary schools likely to be needed over the next decade and several hundred new council homes a certain points around the town.

“These are about things we have a degree of control over to make Swindon an attractive place,” said Coun Renard.

“One thing we often hear from businesses is that it is hard to attract staff here so we want to make Swindon a more attractive place.

“We also have a below national average number of youngsters going to university so we want to see that increase.

"Not only will it give children greater chances in life but it will provide a workforce for companies in Swindon.”

Coun Renard has also defended many things being left from the list of pledges. 

With cuts needed in the coming years, the list says nothing about libraries, children’s centres or parks among other things.

“These pledges are about looking to the future and not what we are doing now,” said Coun Renard.

“Just because something is on the list does not mean we are not committed. 

"There is nothing about protecting children from sexual abuse but I would argue that is one of the most important things we do.

“There are tough decisions to be made and we are currently carrying out a review of what we subsidise and when that is complete we will have a clearer picture about those decisions.”