RESIDENTS in Swindon are being urged to recommend independent investigations into issues they believe affect the town.

Suggestions are now being sought by Swindon Council on what the issues should be.

Every year the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees review issues that matter to people, and make recommendations for improvements.

Their role is to hold the council’s decision makers to account, to challenge service providers, raise standards, and to make sure that services meet people’s needs.

The process is carried out by councillors, experts in a particular field and other interested parties and is similar to how Select Committees operate in the House of Commons.

Residents can suggest a topic they would like to see analysed over the next 12 months, or can even become a part of an investigation itself if they wish to do so.

Issues must not be an individual complaint and must impact on the town as a whole.

Subjects for previous reviews have included anti-social behaviour, the effect alcohol has on the borough, support for gifted, more able and talented pupils at school and the wi-fi project.

The provision of radiotherapy in the town has also been a previous subject.

Last year the Adver ran a series of features on the subject highlighting the plight of hundreds of cancer patients in the town who have to make the journey to Oxford for life-saving radiotherapy treatment.

This year, suggestions must be received by May 25.

To suggest a topic for review residents can e-mail scrutiny@ swindon.gov.uk, ring 01793 463412 or 463109; write to the Scrutiny Unit, Swindon Borough Council, Civic Offices, Euclid Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH.

Alternatively submit an online form which is available on the Overview and Scrutiny pages of the council’s website at www.swindon.gov.uk