AT the heart of Laurie Marsh's proposals for the regeneration of Swindon is the Charitable Finance Initiative. Under the plan a public body,sets up a charitable trust, and transfers its assets to it to be managed.

The authority then increases the value of the land by granting permission for development schemes, and raises the funds from investors.

It saves money as the charity doesn't have to pay VAT or corporation tax.

But central government has previously said a review of the scheme called it unlawful - an analysis Dr Marsh rejects.