It is great news that Swindon will receive a combined total of £1 million through the Government’s ‘Safer Streets Fund’ – a flagship fund to make public spaces safer for all.
In October last year it was announced that after a successful bid, our town would benefit from £550,00 of Government funding to increase the safety of public spaces for all, with a particular focus on tackling violence against women and girls.
This round of funding was in addition to £432,000 of Safer Streets funding previously awarded to our town, which had a particular focus on tackling violent crime and acquisitive crime, such as burglary.
Since the funding was awarded, Swindon Borough Council and the Police & Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, have been working collaboratively to put together a plan of measures they hope to introduce across our town to make it safer for residents.
I will continue to work with them both to ensure that this money is spent of measures which are proven to improve public safety, including introducing new CCTV cameras and improving street lighting.
More information on this can be found via: https://www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/my-office/opcc-news/2022/february-2022/how-will-nearly-1m-make-swindons-streets-safer.
Many of you will have noticed when passing Fleming Way that the new Zurich headquarters building is well on the way to be completed. What is behind the grey hoarding that makes up the remainder of the 20-acre sites is less obvious.
This brownfield site, which is known as Kimmerfields, has remained empty for many years due to the cost of bringing it back into use. In order to help attract commercial investment into this site, the Towns Fund Board, which I am proud to be a member, submitted a successful business case for £6 million of Government investment to unlock the viability of the site.
Overall, £16 million is being spent on this exciting project which is expected to attract fresh private sector investment and deliver 100,000 square foot of high quality office space, up to 450 new homes, and a Cultural Quarter featuring a new theatre, media arts centre and art pavilion.
You can read more about this investment via: http://ow.ly/6QcZ50HU93L.
February half-term is just around the corner and if you are looking for things to do, make sure you check out the Steam Museum who have plenty of exciting activities on offer.
On Tuesday 22nd February, Art on Tour is delivering a free drop-in ‘Family Activity Day’ between 10am and 3pm. Creative workshops themed around railways will be held in Steam’s Hawksworth Hall.
To view the full list of activities and workshops or to book your tickets, visit: www.steam-museum.org.uk.
The local Parish Council will be hosting a community tree planting session in Wroughton between 11:30am and 4pm on Saturday 26th February. Make sure you bring a spade and that you are wearing sturdy shoes and gloves.
The Wroughton Girlguiding Group will also be hosting a pop-up café throughout the community tree planting – so do make sure you pop along.
