THIS will be my last column before the election period, so I want to reflect on the past year as we have many overlapping programmes rather than one ‘big bang’ change. I would summarise the last 12 months as a record of action and a promise of more.

Regent Circus is now fully open. What was an empty 1960s concrete college building is now a thriving, modern complex with the new cinema, restaurants and supermarket. This was a private sector investment in Swindon and the whole site itself was sold for over £40m, which indicates the confidence that investors have in the town. As well as the town centre, we have seen new supermarkets open at Dorcan and Wichelstowe, providing much appreciated facilities for residents and visitors.

We are seeing major investments it public transport. Already the second line to Kemble is in use, improving the reliability of services to Gloucester and beyond.

We also have the first part of the electrification of the mainline from Paddington to Bristol and Cardiff. These projects will maintain Swindon’s role as a transport hub.

We continue to invest in our children with the opening of the University Technical College in the Railway Village, which is providing a sustainable use for these historic buildings. Construction work is well underway for new primary schools for the town centre and Tadpole Farm, both of which will be ready for the autumn. The Coalition Government has approved two new Free Schools to provide secondary education in the Borough.

Alongside all this, we are still working for the Borough’s future. Tonight, council will consider the Local Plan, our strategic document that will allow us to manage development for the next few decades. We have submitted our bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a new Museum and Art Gallery, which will add a cultural element to the town centre complementing the existing shops and the planned Kimmerfields office development.

We are working on our programme to create solar sound barriers along the A419 and the Government has now approved planning permission for a large solar farm at Wroughton. This solar farm will take us to three quarters of the way to our target of producing the equivalent of all Swindon’s domestic energy by sustainable means.

As we have elections in May, I would encourage everyone to register to vote if you have not already done so. You can register online or at the Council office – just search for “Registering to Vote” on our website, www.swindon.gov.uk. Please note that the processes have changed as we now have individual voter registration rather than sending one form to each house.