Labour believes in the strength and power of communities. Local people should have a genuine say in what happens in their area and a Labour Council will work to ensure this. The Labour government has shown it’s commitment to devolving power through the ‘Real People, Real Power’ white paper and only a Labour Council can be trusted to deliver on this agenda.
The Conservative Council have shown the lack of respect they have for communities with repeated cuts to community facilities, frequent cuts to community groups and meaningless consultations to rubber stamp their decisions. Already they have closed the Gorse Hill Library and threatened many others with closure.
A future Labour Council will defend these vital community facilities that are so important to our communities. These facilities provide vital meeting places and services and help to make a community coherent. We will look to invest in multi-agency community centres to put council services and information closer to people.
We are committed to protecting our precious urban green spaces. Access to green space should not be confined to those living outside of urban Swindon. We will support local communities in registering these key open spaces to protect them and prevent any potential development on them.
A future Labour Council will fight anti-social behaviour and ensure that communities are at the centre of local policing. We will build on the government’s investment in community policing and ensure that Swindon is a safe and secure place to work, rest and play.
A Labour Council (from 2012 onwards) will
- Protect our precious urban green spaces for the future.
- Defend and extend community facilities across the borough.
- Put you at the heart of community policing.
Tory Cuts & Broken Promises
- Closed Gorse Hill library and threatened many more with closure.
- Cut funding to community groups—including a 75% cut to Swindon Dance.
- Denying you a meaningful say in how your council and your community is run.
Cllr John Ballman
