Swindon residents invited to share their views on the town

Plans to create a vibrant town centre will be among the topics being discussed at a series of resident engagement events taking place next month.

Swindon Borough Council is holding further ‘Let’s talk Swindon’ events during November to give residents the chance to share their ideas, views and feedback on the performance of the local authority.

Following up on the successful events held earlier in the year, the new sessions will allow residents to hear about the Council’s work to build a fairer, better and greener Swindon against the backdrop of the ongoing financial pressures facing public finances. This work is part of the Council’s commitment to create more opportunities to listen to, engage and involve residents as agreed in the Swindon Plan finalised in the summer.

At the events, residents, partners and council colleagues will get the chance to hear about a set of new ambitions developed by private, public and voluntary sector partners for Swindon town centre. Once finalised, the ambitions will be used to coordinate the contributions of partners to help transition the town centre from a past dominated by retail, to a future destination where people live, work, socialise and learn.

Attendees will also see the results from the 2024 Swindon Resident Survey held in the summer, which received more than 4,400 responses.

Council Leader, Councillor Jim Robbins, said: “We are committed to hearing what our residents have to say on the work we are doing to benefit the Borough. I know how important it is that the Council engages our local communities in its work, which is why we are running additional ‘Let’s talk Swindon’ engagement sessions throughout November.

“Despite the challenging financial constraints on all local authorities, we must still be ambitious for Swindon as many of our upcoming activities have already been costed and are now in development.

“It is really important to us that local residents get the chance to provide feedback on the Swindon Plan, particularly the revitalisation of the town centre, and the results of the 2024 Resident Survey so that we can deliver on the priorities that matter most to them. I can’t wait to hear what they have to say, and encourage as many people as possible locally to attend.”

Three main events, hosted by the Leader of the Council and Swindon Borough Council’s Chief Executive, Samantha Mowbray, will be held across November at the following locations:

• Tuesday, 19 November at New College, SN3 1AH from 6.30pm until 8.30pm (arrival from 6pm)
• Monday, 25 November at Central Library, SN1 1QG from 6.30pm until 8.30pm (arrival from 6pm)
• Saturday, 30 November at North Swindon Library, SN25 4AN from 2.30pm until 4.30pm (arrival from 2pm)

To find out more information and book a place, search ‘Let’s talk Swindon’ on the Council’s website or visit www.swindon.gov.uk/letstalkswindon