It was great to see so many local residents at my busy surgery at Christ Church Community Centre in Old Town on Saturday. I hold regular surgeries across South Swindon and write to invite residents ahead of these, so please keep an eye out for information about where and when I am holding my next one in your area if you would like to attend. With thanks to all of the residents who attended on Saturday, and also my team who were there to assist me.
Following the joint letter from myself and Justin Tomlinson MP to Director General Tim Davie at the BBC, raising concern about the proposed changes to local services, I have been offered a meeting with the BBC Director of Nations, and Senior Head of Content Production in the West and South West. I have readily accepted this offer so that I can further raise the concerns of local residents on this important issue. If you would like me to ask a question on your behalf, please contact me by emailing [email protected] or ringing 01793 533393.
I also raised my concerns about the BBC's proposed changes at a debate in Parliament last week. BBC Wiltshire is the only glue that we have here in Swindon as part of the broadcaster network, that links us to the historic county from which Swindon has been developed. It is my view, and the view of many residents here in Swindon and beyond, that the loss of this service is going to harm how local people access information. We have great community radio in Swindon, 105.5 is a wonderful community station, and it is doing its best to provide a public service. But the BBC is the public service broadcaster, and it is their obligation to get service right.
I was delighted to open this year’s Chiseldon Summer Fete on Saturday, the sun shone, and it was great to see so many local residents out enjoying this wonderful community event. With thanks to the organising committee for all of their hard work.
I recently wrote to residents in Toothill regarding my concerns about the location of a proposed 5G phone mast in the area. Having worked with residents on the previous occasion an application was made, I was keen to ensure that their voices were heard in this fresh process. Alongside many local residents, I contacted the Planning Department at Swindon Borough Council to raise concerns about the location of the mast and its proximity to a residential area, and following this, I am pleased that these plans have been rejected.
It is great to see that progress is being made on the £33 million Fleming Way Improvement Scheme in the town centre after Swindon was awarded £25 million in funding from the Government’s High Streets Fund. Details of upcoming public consultations for residents, which will take place across the town with council officers and contractors, can be found here https://www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk/event/fleming-way-bus-boulevard-drop-in-session-central/
The new Swindon Borough Council Safer Streets Wardens have also begun work in the town centre after Swindon’s successful application for over £142,000 of Government Safer Streets funding was approved. I am looking forward to going out with them and the town centre policing team over the Summer Recess.
In Westminster news, I was delighted to recently attend the Levelling Up 2.0: A Blueprint for the Future book launch. Alongside a diverse group of contributors, I was pleased to help write the book, which explores the importance of empowering local communities, driving change through collaboration, and sharing prosperity across the nation.
Finally, my local charity of the week is The Platform Project, which has recently celebrated its sixth anniversary. This brilliant local charity provides practical work experience for young people here in Swindon, focused on enterprise, employability, and personal development. The Platform Project gives young people the opportunity to explore their ideas and passions and turn them into a career, as well as developing skills to help them thrive and have confidence in their next steps. For more information on this excellent local charity including how to support them, please visit https://www.platformproject.co.uk/
