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SEQOL’s sad demise

HOW very sad to see the demise of SEQOL from hero to zero in only five short years.

And yet should we be surprised? The accounts for SEQOL show a turnover of more than £35m with a profit of £109,000.

Like many semi-public organisations, the thrust to achieve recognition has always been important to SEQOL and indeed in the five years of their existence they have received a number of awards of which they are very proud. Sadly, their claim to have effective business practices and remain financially competitive and cost-effective now looks a little tarnished as they call time on their contract some 12 months ahead of schedule, leaving SBC to pick up the pieces.

According to SEQOL’s website they “are proud to be the lead organisation for the Swindon Half Marathon 2016. Building on the success of 2015, which received positive feedback from runners, organisation is the lead Swindon half marathon 2016”. Perhaps employing an IT manager wasn’t necessarily the best of business practices.

In 2014 the Cabinet Office (central government) lauded SEQOL as a positive case study with CEO Heather Mitchell describing SEQOL as “an organisation able to make its own decisions, provides more opportunities to deliver services that make a bigger difference for the people we work with, and for those we support.”

Just a mere two years later her comments could not be more different: “It became clear recently that larger organisations are better placed to meet the growing cost efficiencies.”

It seems that SEQOL will remain a useful case study but not necessarily in the way originally envisaged. It’s a sad demise and an example of how it is so easy for those in power to ‘play’ with important institutions as they seek to justify political activity and effect what they see as social change.

What worries me most is the statement from a spokesman for the GWH, another organisation with a less-than-successful track record in managing services: “The next chapter is all about creating a more joined-up service... and is an opportunity to learn more about the opportunities and challenges ahead.”

I fear the psychobabble speaks volumes about any chance of success for the future.

DES MORGAN

Caraway Drive, Swindon

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Debt deserves attention

ACCORDING to a report by the TUC and UNISON, more than 1.6 million households are in “extreme problem debt” and wage stagnation is making the problem worse.

In three years unsecured debt (excluding mortgages) has risen from £48bn to £353bn with many low income families at breaking point.

There are also more than 1.2 million people on the waiting list for social housing, while private housing rents are going up at rates way beyond inflation.

In Prime Minister’s questions, Jeremy Corbyn used all six of his allotted questions to quiz our new Prime Minister Theresa May about what is being done about the housing crisis, yet her answers were vague.

Everybody seems aware of how serious the housing and debt problem is yet nobody seems to be giving it the urgent attention it desperately needs.

I suggest the figures quoted need immediate attention at the highest levels possible.

KELLY COLLINS

Lyndhurst Crescent, Swindon

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Volunteers needed

LAST year was a great year for the NSPCC school service.

My volunteers and I reached more primary school children than ever before during our workshops and assemblies – helping to keep them safe from abuse and empowering them to speak out about any worries they may have. In total, we spoke with more than 4,000 children in Swindon through 27 school visits.

Now the new term has started, my team and I are looking forward to talking to even more children aged between four and 11, but we need your help.

The Speak Out, Stay Safe programme is enormously important as it gives children the language and confidence they need to talk about their worries, and the knowledge they need to keep themselves safe.

I can’t do that without the help of volunteers. Can you help?

Volunteering is a fantastic way to give something back while also learning new skills and meeting new people.

The NSPCC, and our friendly team of volunteers, give you all the training and support you need to feel confident in your role.

With a minimum commitment of as little as three morning or afternoon visits a month, you can give as much or as little time as you like.

Visit www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/volunteer-or-work-for-us/volunteer-childline-schools-service.

Email kevin.west@nspcc.org.uk or call 07909 688393.

KEVIN WEST

NSPCC Swindon

Albert Street, Swindon

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Atomic smitten

I WELCOME the news that the Hinckley Point B nuclear power plant is likely to go ahead.

It was only right that the new Prime Minister should want to satisfy herself over the cost and security matters involved in a huge investment from China. But I am delighted the result is a green light.

As someone who works closely on environmental issues I am convinced that nuclear has to play a key part in a clean, green power mix.

When the scheme goes ahead it will mean a major boost for jobs and the economy of our region for many years.

JULIE GIRLING

South West MEP

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Waiting for a pub

I SEE that plans for another pub (with 350 homes) are in the pipeline, Advertiser, September 2.

But still we wait for one in Walcot and Parks even though there is land for sale or let on the old Cock Robin site in Cavendish Square

GARRY DREWITT

Swindon