Since the financial crash back in 2008, there are certain words that have come to dominate the political agenda: deficit, debt, and austerity.

I think everyone knows that if you are spending more than you are earning and getting into more and more debt then you need to make changes. You need to increase your income and cut your spending to pay off the debt.

It’s difficult for individuals facing financial problems to get things back on track, and it’s true for the country as a whole. But it is necessary for the public sector to start living within its means.

This means that Swindon Borough Council (along with every other council in the country) is undergoing unprecedented changes in its financial situation. This means we have to change.

Over the next few weeks and months the council will be doing consultations about libraries, the possible creation of parish councils and changes to other service areas as part of working out how we can make that change happen in the best possible way.

I know change isn’t easy but it does have to happen. As a councillor, I did not get elected because I really wanted to have the opportunity to make some really difficult decisions. I wanted to make a difference, but when you put yourself forward to serve you do the best you can whatever the situation.

When it comes to consultations, different people respond in different ways. Some people protest against change. I respect the right to protest. But ultimately I feel that the time and energy really needs to go into finding ways of doing things differently.

When it comes to libraries, this may mean that there is a greater role for volunteers. It may mean community groups come together to share the use of a building to help it to be more sustainable.

When it comes to parish councils, there is definitely a great opportunity to spend money specifically in the area in which it was raised. This opens up much greater opportunities for local decisions made by local people.

The main purpose of these consultations is to get as many passionate and committed people as possible to give their thoughts and views about how we can make the best decisions we possibly can.

I am one of 57 people who have been elected to have the responsibility to make decisions. But as a Swindon resident I am one of over 210,000 people who call this town home. All of us have an interest in its future and the more of us that can put in the time and energy into working towards that future, the better it will be.