Candidates for Central ward are Junab ALI, Bob Writght and Julie WRIGHT

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Swindon Borough Council and the Police have been taking action to tackle under age drinking. At a Licensing Committee meeting on Tuesday 11^th May the Police presented the results of some of their town centre activity. Under age test buyers who looked under age attempted to buy drinks in pubs. The Police had warned Town Centre pubs in advance that they were going to test purchase.

Training Advice has been given to Landlords/Ladies to deal with underage drinking.

If it is a first offence Landlords/Ladies will be given a warning to improve the way they run their premises. A follow up will take place in the near future and if the same Landlords/Ladies fail again they will be given fixed fines. Licenses can be revoked if Landlords/Ladies continue to run problem related premises.

The Police are also seeking to eliminate cheap drink offers that encourage lots of drinking in a short time. By stopping problems at source they want to reduce the number of individuals who could cause offences on the way home.

Alcohol related behaviour is a big issue for the police and responsible sales is just one of the methods they are using to reduce problems. They are aware of other sources of problems such as home drinking on cheap drinks bought at supermarkets. These cheap drinks ‘fuel up’ individuals before they go to town. Police can also issue banning orders to stop irresponsible behaviour and repeat offences.

The Town’s Alcohol Strategy includes an Alcohol Advisor helping at the Police Station. Police also work with other agencies such as Street Pastors and Swindon’s Alcohol and Drugs Service (SWADS). All these powers and activities are used prevent alcohol offences across town even if the action itself is concentrated in the town centre.

Cllr Bob Wright

Photo: Underage drinking – iStockPhoto

The Broadgreen Community Police arranged an Empowerment Day on Wednesday 12^th May. This was an opportunity for Local Labour Councillors to go into the area with a Police Officer or Community Support officer to help address local issues. The plan was to intervene and take enforcement action to tackle such issues as Street Drinking or Anti-Social Behaviour.

Police in company with Swindon Borough Council (SBC) Environmental Health Officers, Swindon Commercial Services (SCS), HM Courts Warrant officers, SBC Cluster Assistants, Trading Standards and local Labour councillors took part.  Below are the results of the action:

• SCS cleared 5 locations that had been identified as fly tipping areas.
• Environmental Officers knocked and served notices at 5 addresses and found evidence at 8 other locations of fly tipping that will be investigated, served 4 follow up notices that will require formal; interviews of offenders.
• Police issued 3 Fixed Penalty Notices to vehicles causing obstructions in ally ways.
• Police arrested one male for the supply of class ‘A’ drugs.
• HM Courts warrant officer attended 11 addresses resulting in 6 positive warrants.
• Cluster assistants attended numerous addresses in the area to conduct a survey of people’s fear of crime in the area.

Cllr Bob Wright

Photo: Community Police Support Officer – iStockPhotos

( Police Community Support Officers were introduced in the England and Wales by the Police Reform Act 2002. PCSOs, as they are known assist neighbourhood police teams with environmental disorder and low level anti-social behaviour, including such duties as high visibility street patrolling, tackling anti-social behaviour, dealing with minor offences, gathering intelligence and supporting front-line policing)

Central Ward will become a ‘Swindon Warm Zone’ from the middle of May.

The ‘Swindon Warm Zone’ Project is a Council initiative to help alleviate fuel poverty through improving levels of insulation/heating and to get the best value out of fuel costs. All private sector homes will initially be contacted by letter and then will be visited by an authorised representative who will help householders complete an assessment form. This will include asking questions about the levels of insulation in the home.

Representatives should have proof of identity and authority to represent the project. Residents are asked to request proof.

Preferential grants have been made available just for those residents in the Warm Zone wards.  This means that if residents in Central ward are:

• Over 65 or
• have a child under 4 or
• live in a property in Council Tax Band A or B

Then cavity wall and loft insulation will be free (subject to funding, technical survey and eligibility criteria)

One of the key things about the project is community engagement. Various ways of getting information to the community will be used including passing information through pupils at Robert Le King School and displays at Community Centres.  The project will also be promoted by giving away Jute bags and trolley tokens.

The project is being co-ordinated by Helen Sanderson (Affordable Warmth Co-ordinator) of the Residential Services Team

Tel: 0800 046 9699  Email: hsanderson@swindon.gov.uk

Residential Services Team, 5th Floor, Wat Tyler House, Beckhampton Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH.

Caption:  Attic thermal insulation – iStockPhotos

I have been actively involved in local politics for about 5 years, previous to this I did a little ward work. Fortunately I was selected and elected as the Labour Councillor for Central Ward.

Over the last 4 years I have been proud to represent probably the most vibrant and interesting ward in Swindon. It has been an experience that has been both fulfilling and frustrating.

Fulfilling because when carrying out my duty I have been able to help people and some of them have become real friends.  Frustrating because this Tory council administration has placed institutional obstacles in the way of good service delivery.  They do not appear to understand that their role is to provide services for Swindon’s residents –  instead they have wasted money on fantasy projects and lost their way in ‘Legacy Politics’.

There is a simple way to provide good services: employ good people and do good things.

If you want Swindon to be a great place to live do more good things I believe the Tories have allowed their desire for power to confuse their judgement. This has has led to a disconnection with the community, and an inability to make sensible decisions. I want to remove the obstacles to good service delivery and the first obstacle is the Tory control of the council. I have been fortunate to enter politics at a time when Labour has realigned itself to its ethical mission. We know that by working together we can achieve more. We will be able to breakdown the advantages that obtains power through privilege. We have a message of hope and through co-operation we will remove the air-brushed veneer of Cameron’s insincerity politics.

Resident priorities I am working on include:

• Return ‘Residents Parking back to residents control
• Protect Urban spaces and gardens
• Reduce Centrals Residential roads down to 20MPH
• Ensure local accountability and fair charging for council services
• Press for more Central School places for Central children
• Work for a sustainable solution for the Mechanics Institute
• Correct the Tories mistakes on Street Cleaning and Waste

BOB WRIGHT WORKING TO BE RE-ELECTED AS THE LABOUR COUNCILLOR FOR CENTRAL WARD

Providing the Wright services for Central

Contact bob.wright.gov@ntlworld.com