The Swindon Advertiser reported recently that only 18 people had commented on where the proposed Council cuts should fall.  Residents are being asked to chose between cuts in play services, Connections services, Swindon direct, Country Ground fitness services, daycare services and  supported employment.  But why are these the only cuts being consulted on – when [...]

As Labour Group spokesman for Transport and the Environment I was delighted to receive an early copy of the Swindon Civic Trust Strategy 2010-2013.  The Trust are campaigning on many of the issues that Labour fought the last Borough election on, and are committed to the sort of localism in planning and politics which was [...]

Some of us considered the Tory budget in Swindon as irresponsible in that they under-funded Adult Social Care and put £2.5M into general reserves in the expectation that it would probably be needed to top up Adult Social Care.
That stupidity has come home to roost with a vengeance.
While it could be contended that the very [...]

This post gives the recent history of Swindon Council’s attitude to Swindon Dial a Ride (SDAR) service.   The Council’s Value for Money Review (5th October 2009) contains unspecified legal advice recommending cessation of the Grant to SDAR, and appears to have triggered the proposed reduction of £50k in grant aid contained in Swindon Borough Council’s draft budget [...]

Kevin Small again produced an excellent result for Labour in Western Ward and polled 2275 votes (43.4% of the vote) despite having 3 opponents.  Speaking after the Count Kevin said:
“I’m very grateful to the voters of Western and to my campaign team for this excellent result tonight.  My colleagues Jim Grant and Des Moffatt and [...]

Swindon Labour candidates averaged 31.0% of the vote in the 2010 local election compared to only 24.4% in 2008.  Mark Dempsey stunningly captured a seat in Parks ward, and newcomer Rochelle Russell comfortably beat off all challengers, including the BNP to win Gorse Hill for Labour.  Overall the Tory share of the vote dropped by [...]

The Leader of the Council, Roderick Bluh stated that the MP Ann Snelgrove had made misleading comment in the adjournment debate in the House of Commons.
What she did say is on public record and my own knowledge led me to believe she had not misled Parliament.  The only area where I had no direct knowledge [...]

This is my best recollection of what I said at the Council’s special cabinet meeting on 31/3/2010 on the WiFi project that the Swindon Tories have got themselves mired in.
Following a preamble, where I criticized the accuracy of the agenda item report proposing a further draw- down of the loan of £450K to Digital City, [...]

Saturday was another busy day of campaigning –  getting our Labour message across in Western Ward.   Several residents raised the issue of hunting,  and were concerned about Tory plans to restore fox-hunting.  Labour made fox hunting and other cruel sports illegal, and I fully support this policy.  A petition to ‘back the ban’ is [...]

A meeting took place on 10 March 2010 in Western Community Centre to discuss invasive car parking in Harcourt, Cobden and Iffley Rds.  All three Western Councillors and Council official Bob Sanders attended.
22 residents were present.  Kevin Small introduced the Cllrs and the officer and set the scene.  Parking during the day in many of [...]