One of the main missions I've had since being elected as your MP has been to do everything I can to attract investment and growth to our town, and over the years, I have been proud to help spearhead initiatives to bring Government funding in. But it is private investment that is also important, so I was pleased to recently visit a new organisation here in Swindon called Future Smiths, which is an incubator to help small businesses to grow their turnover, grow their jobs and their profits.
Future Smiths has grown out of The Foundry, which was launched a few years ago, and has already helped many small local businesses. I was very pleased to speak to the team at this new organisation about how I can help to link them to existing networks, including the Institute of Technology and the University Technical College, as well as other organisations here in Swindon, which are very much focused on the jobs of the future. This is an important part of my work to really focus on new investment opportunities, which has also included working with the Norwegian Government during the Summer Recess period. And there is much more to come, all aimed at trying to grow our town’s economy, in a way that will bring long term success and renew our town even further as we have done so successfully over the generations.
I also worked hard to help secure a sustainable future for the former Honda site here in Swindon, which included managing complex issues with the Environment Agency, so I was delighted when Panattoni’s application for the redevelopment of the site was approved at Swindon’s Planning Committee back in April. This is a major step forward for Swindon, which is vital for jobs, investment, and the future of our town, and I am glad to have worked closely with both Swindon Borough Council and Panattoni on this. The £700m redevelopment will bring thousands of jobs to Swindon and was the largest commercial planning application ever submitted to the council.
As part of Panattoni’s plans, the company will also invest heavily in the local area. I am very pleased that the business has also agreed to invest £5.5m into wildlife around the Borough, as well as other funding, which includes £248k for the Great Western Community Forrest, £745k to improve the junction of the A419 and roads to Blunsdon, £100k to improve cycling and walking infrastructure around the site, the development of a travel plan to help people access the site without cars, and installation of public art. I will continue to work to ensure that maximum economic benefit is secured for our town, as part of the Panattoni redevelopment, bringing jobs, growth, skills, and training opportunities for local people.
I am very pleased to have been invited to speak at Swindon Trauma Group’s 12th Annual Conference on Friday 6th October. This event will explore treatment and support for invisible injuries and PTS/PTSD, with speakers including Mark ‘Splash’ Aston, author of the Sunday Times best seller SAS Sea King Down. Further details about the conference and the work of Swindon Trauma Group can be found on their website here https://www.swindontraumagroup.org.uk/annual-conference-october-2023
Finally, my local charity of the week is Upcycle Swindon, which has very recently opened. The charity has been a real success in other parts of the country, so I am delighted that they are now here in Swindon too. Based at the Techno Industrial Estate next to Freedog, Upcycle Swindon take donations of unwanted furniture that is in a sellable condition, as well as books and toys and a whole host of other household items. This wonderful green charity gives local residents a decent and better value alternative than buying new, as well as supporting the employment of vulnerable people in the Swindon area. You can pop into the unit to browse and buy as you would a normal charity shop, so please do consider visiting Upcycle Swindon, as well as donating any household items that you no longer need but are too good to throw away. To find out more about this wonderful new local charity and how you can support them please visit https://forestupcyclingproject.com/upcycle-swindon/
