New Swindon Plan to build a ‘fairer’, ‘better’ and ‘greener’ Swindon

A new plan setting out Swindon Borough Council’s long-term priorities to improve the quality of life for all of the Borough’s residents will be discussed at the Council’s Cabinet meeting next week (17 July).

The Swindon Plan sets out three priority missions for the next decade to build a ‘fairer’, ‘better’ and ‘greener’ Swindon, informed by feedback from hundreds of residents and council partners and colleagues gathered during a borough-wide engagement exercise earlier this year.

Acknowledging the ongoing financial pressures on public finances, the Swindon Plan sets out how the Council is looking to progress each mission working with communities and partners across the private, public and voluntary sectors.

A performance framework document published alongside the Swindon Plan sets out the Council’s actions over the next three years to progress each mission. This includes the completion of existing projects as well as new initiatives that will make a positive difference for those living in Swindon.

Actions under the ‘Build a fairer Swindon’ mission include the construction of a new, inclusive youth centre in Park North that would support over 100 children a week. Other work aims to improve the oral health of Swindon’s children and help under-fives achieve a healthy weight. The mission also focuses on creating new primary school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities, as well as progressing plans for a 100-place brand-new special school.

Activity linked to the ‘Build a better Swindon’ mission includes bringing forward plans for a new town centre entertainment venue and ensuring the recently opened Museum & Art Swindon facility continues to thrive. The Council is also supporting a developer-led scheme to refurbish and re-open the Oasis Leisure Centre, having already exchanged contracts with SevenCapital on a new development agreement.

Later this year the Council intends to publish a new plan to enhance the town centre, co-ordinating the efforts of key landowners, developers and other stakeholders. Plans for a major new housing scheme at Marlowe Avenue, including up to 450 affordable homes, will also be pushed forward.

Under the ‘Build a greener Swindon’ mission, proposed actions include installing new on-street electric vehicle charging points using already secured government grant funding. Planting thousands of new trees across the Borough and further actions to increase household recycling, such as rolling out a food waste collection service to all communal properties in Swindon during 2024/25, will also come under this mission.

The Swindon Plan sets out the Council’s ambition to reset its relationship with residents to become more equal, respectful and trusting. This will build on the engagement activity that informed the final version of the plan.

The Council also outlines in the Swindon Plan changes to how the organisation is set up to deliver better outcomes for residents and value for money. That includes using data, assets and council housing to support residents’ needs in ways that are more financially sustainable.

Subject to the plan’s approval at next week’s (17 July) Cabinet meeting, it will then be tabled for all councillors to vote on at a meeting of Full Council on 25 July.

Council Leader, Councillor Jim Robbins, said: “Swindon is a fantastic place to call home but there’s things that need to be addressed to improve the quality of life for all residents. The Swindon Plan sets out the Council’s three priority missions to build a fairer, better and greener Swindon. I’d like to thank again all the residents and partners who have helped to inform this.

“While the plan has a long-term focus, we are also setting out the actions we will take over the next three years to progress these priorities. The plan doesn’t shy away from the reality that the Council can’t do this alone. To varying extents, many actions will require contributions from partners across the private, public and voluntary sectors.

“I know residents appreciate the financial constraints facing local government, but also that we are well-placed as a council to bring together the contributions of everyone with a stake in Swindon’s future. We know the Council needs to do a better job of listening and engaging residents and the communities we serve, building on the positive start that informed this plan.”

A copy of the Swindon Plan is available at: www.swindon.gov.uk/swindonplan