I have been contacted by a number of residents who are concerned to have seen the closure of the Post Office in the West Swindon Centre recently. I had another meeting with the Post Office to ask them about the possibility of a temporary Postmaster and a Post Office at the site.
The Post Office and ASDA both confirmed to me that they were happy for the site to be used for a temporary Post Office. Alongside the ward councillors for the area, I will continue to push them to secure those temporary facilities and indeed a permanent solution.
It is great news that preparations are currently underway for the Council to submit a planning and listed building application to refurbish and clean the iconic Coate Water diving board. If the applications are successful, the Council hope to bring the much-loved landmark back to its former glory this spring.
I have also been updated that the Council’s plans to build a new children’s play park, which will be located closer to the refreshment kiosk and car park at Coate Water are also progressing well.
Coate Water is one of Swindon’s true gems which I visit often and I will continue to work closely with local ward councillors for the area, including Jenny Jefferies, William Horley, Bazil Soloman, Curtis Flux and Nick Burns-Howell to ensure it continues to receive the investment it deserves.
Last month, the 13th Pride of Swindon Awards were launched. Since 2009, over 145 individuals and 44 teams have been acknowledged and honoured for their incredible work in our local community.
If you know someone who you think should be the next winner, please take a few moments to nominate them. It could be a volunteer who has given their time selflessly for years, a chid or adult who has displayed remarkable courage, somebody who has given unselfish service to one of our hundreds of sports clubs, an inspiring teacher or caring nurse or doctor, or maybe even an extra-special neighbour.
To submit your nomination, which must be done by Monday 14th February, all you need to do is go to https://www.swindon.gov.uk/prideofswindonawards.
As part of Brew Monday, I joined the Samaritans in reminding everyone to reach out for a cuppa and a catch-up with the people you care about. Brew Monday is an event held by the Samaritans on the third Monday of every January, in recognition that this day is sometimes referred to as “the most difficult day of the year”.
The pandemic has been difficult for all of us, so it is more important than ever to check in on your friends, even if you have not spoken to them in a little while – this conversation could make a big different.
Tomorrow evening I will be hosting an adjournment debate in the House of Commons on the important issues of the detention of people with autism and other lifelong conditions under the Mental Health Act.
There are still a few thousand people who are detained in this inappropriate way, despite the government policies which are supposed to reduce this practice. I want to help shine a light on this issue so that more action can be taken to help detainees and their families.
