It’s no secret that it’s a challenging time for public finances in the UK. The Local Government Association estimates that councils’ core spending power fell by 23 per cent in real terms from 2010/11 to 2024/25.

In Swindon, the Council has made savings of more than £200m since 2010, while the amount of money the Council receives from Central Government has reduced from 29 per cent of its overall budget in 2010/11 to just three per cent in this current financial year.

Over 80 per cent of the Council’s day-to-day budget is spent on providing vital social care support to adults and children, and the costs and demand for that support continues to grow.

This week, the Council’s Cabinet met to review a report on the 2024/25 budget position, with an £8.4m overspend currently forecasted. We continue to do everything we can to try to balance the budget, with robust spending controls in place, but the report notes that it remains an “extremely challenging” financial position. Watch a recording of the Cabinet meeting. 

A further budget update will be tabled at the next Cabinet meeting on 11 December, along with proposals to set the budget in 2025/26.

Exciting plans to create one of the UK’s largest brownfield regeneration projects in the heart of Swindon are gaining momentum.

Partners came together recently to discuss the potential to redevelop more than 100 acres of land around Swindon train station, creating the potential for a new high-quality commercial district within the town centre, thousands of new jobs and hundreds of new homes.

The project supports the Government’s economic growth focus, and housing and development agenda, and is also one of the propositions within the Council’s ‘Vision for the Heart of Swindon’ document, which was approved at Wednesday’s (13 Nov) Cabinet meeting. Find out more.

A website has been set up to host information about future planning applications and consultations for Swindon’s Oasis leisure centre and its surrounding land.

Anyone with an interest in the future of the Oasis can sign up on the Swindon Oasis website to receive information and alerts about forthcoming plans for the site.

The town centre is at the heart of the Council’s plans for Swindon, with ambitions to develop it from a past dominated by retail, to a future destination where people live, work, socialise and learn.

In recent weeks, we’ve shared proposals for a new performance and cultural venue in the town centre, with capacity for national touring shows, as well as other large-scale events.

This work has been brought together in a document called the ‘Vision for the Heart of Swindon’ that sets out eight ambitions for the town centre.

If you would like to hear more about these ambitions, while also having the opportunity to raise local issues or ask questions about our services, please attend one of our upcoming Let’s talk Swindon events or drop-in sessions.

To book your place, or find out more, head over to our website.

As part of the Council’s commitment to building a better, fairer and greener Swindon, two projects are working to create properties which have accessibility and sustainability in mind, as well as addressing a shortage of adaptable housing in Swindon.

In Ashley Close in Walcot (top image), work to build three new three-bedroom homes is nearly complete and it’s expected that these properties will be available for tenants to move into in January. Meanwhile, in Ventnor Close, Moredon (bottom image), the construction of eight two-bedroom homes is continuing to progress with the first timber frame now up and the parking area complete.

Both projects are being built with the latest energy-saving technology to ensure these homes not only support accessibility, but also help residents save on energy costs while reducing their environmental impact. Read more on our website.

The new-look Lyndhurst Centre in Park North is set to become a vibrant hub where over 400 young people each week can come together to connect, learn, and thrive. With construction well underway, the centre is being designed by young people, for young people, ensuring it meets their needs and aspirations.

So far, the transformation has included a new roof, upgraded electrical systems, and windows chosen by local young people. Supported by £3.8m from the Government’s Youth Investment Fund, the Lyndhurst Centre is on track to open its doors in Spring 2025.

Helping to bring this vision to life is Michael (pictured above), a WAY Youth Leader and Studio Facilitator. Michael is using his expertise to guide the development of the centre’s recording studio and digital creative space. Working alongside New College students and Swindon’s Young Changemakers, he’s ensured every detail, from equipment choices to lighting and layout, reflects the passions and creativity of Swindon’s youth.

The centre will also include teaching kitchens, a gym, a hair and beauty hub, and counselling rooms, offering a safe and inspiring space daily from 8am to 10pm. Read more on our website.

This week, the Council shared how a further £1.5m will be used as part of the Household Support Fund, which will provide vulnerable households with support for food, heating and housing over the colder months.

A total of £81,000 was made available for residents in need via the Household Support Application Fund. In many instances, it is not necessary to directly use the application fund process as recipients are either automatically identified or will access the support through specific partners.

The Council will also directly share the £1.5m made available through the Household Support Fund through projects which support vulnerable people locally. This includes £460,000 which will be used to make payments to low-income pensioners just above the Pension Credit threshold, but who need additional support. A further £585,000 will be spent on food vouchers for families in need during school holidays.

In the meantime, residents are encouraged to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit. A successful application for Pension Credit will automatically trigger eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment, an annual tax-free government grant of £200 for residents under the age of 80, or £300 if they are over 80.

Don’t miss out on expert advice to help with your water bills and learn how to maximise your income, while squeezing down your bills.

By attending the Council’s Money Advice event, you can speak to friendly and knowledgeable representatives from local organisations, including Thames Water, who are on hand to help with your water bills.

You can also speak to:

• Citizens Advice Swindon, whose Financial First Aiders will offer support on finances, benefits, debt and much more
• Warm and Safe Wiltshire, who will share information on keeping warm and help you to save money on your energy bills
• Council colleagues from Public Health who will be there to promote the Healthy Start scheme

You can also learn more about Pension Credit and access to Free School Meal checks.

The next event is on Wednesday, 27 November at Central Library (SN1 1QG) from 10.30am until 3pm.

Losing a loved one can be a challenging, painful and difficult time. But during these moments, families across Swindon have been helping others with the support of Kingsdown Crematorium.

During the last 10 years, the Crematorium has raised more than £132,000 for various charities.

When the Crematorium hosts a funeral for a loved one, families are able to give consent for the metals from any cremations to be recycled through a national scheme run by the ICCM (Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management). All the money then received from the recycling is donated to charity.

Earlier this month, Zoe from the team at Kingsdown Crematorium was able to hand over a cheque for £11,600 to Prospect Hospice.

Since 2014, donations have been given to a number of charities including Wiltshire Treehouse, Mind, Swindon Sands Community and Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

Thank you to the families who have helped raise this money. By choosing to recycle the metals, your loved one has been able to help countless others after they’ve passed away.

Losing a loved one is a tough experience, and can leave people feeling lonely.

To help people with this experience, Kingsdown Crematorium is hosting its first Bereavement Coffee Club at the end of the month (30 Nov).

Located in the waiting room at the Crematorium, the coffee club will be a space where those who have lost a loved one can come along and share their memories and connect with others who are feeling the same way.

The coffee club will take place from 10.30am on 30 November. There will be light refreshments provided and there’s no need to book.

Christmas festivities in Swindon are set to get underway later this month.

The Christmas lights switch-on in Swindon town centre will kick-off the festivities next Saturday (23 Nov) from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.

Located next to the Cenotaph in the town centre, the switch-on will see Swindon’s very own Dame, David Ashley, from the Wyvern Theatre’s Cinderella panto flick the switch to illuminate the town for Christmas.

Ahead of the switch-on, there will be performances by Swindon Dance, the Salvation Army and Rhythmix Goa, all hosted by the local community radio station Swindon 105.5. There will even be a special appearance by Father Christmas himself.

Following the switch-on, children are encouraged to bring their Christmas letters and take part in a lantern parade, arriving at the Brunel Shopping Centre, where they will be able to post their letters.

Find out more about the town centre’s Christmas events, including the town centre Christmas market.

A whole host of events are set to take place across Lydiard Park this festive season.

The historic Council-owned country estate is marking the start of its winter events programme with the return of the Lydiard Park Christmas lights switch-on later this month.

Other events include A Country House Christmas, festive cream teas and Christmas and New Year parties.

Find out more about the events taking place at Lydiard this year.

White Ribbon Day (25 November) marks the start of the 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence, a global campaign to raise awareness and take action to end violence against women and girls. The campaign focuses on challenging harmful behaviours, supporting those affected, and promoting access to local services.

An annual White Ribbon event will be held on Monday, 25 November 2024, from 10am to 1pm at Broadgreen Community Centre (SN1 2AN). The event includes a ceremonial tree tying by the Mayor of Swindon, a survivor’s story, refreshments, and information on domestic abuse support. Register your place here.

Public engagement activities providing information about domestic abuse, stalking, harassment, and accessing support will also take place at:

• The Orbital Shopping Park, Thamesdown Drive, outside Boots: Thursday, 28 November, 12pm–3pm
• Greenbridge Retail Park, outside Boots: Friday, 6 December, 1pm–3pm
• Swindon College, North Star Campus: Tuesday, 3 December and Thursday, 5 December, 12pm–2pm
• New College, Queens Drive Campus: Wednesday, 4 December and Monday, 9 December, 12pm–2pm

It’s important that children across Swindon know about the town’s rich history.

Colleagues at STEAM and in our Local Studies team have been helping that become a reality, through shaping the script for a new play that is being performed in front of more than 30 groups of primary school children across the Borough.

Funded by Great Western Hospital and Arts Council England, staged by Prime Theatre, and written by Mike Akers, The Order of the North Star tells the story of how Swindon's Railway Village was originally planned.

Performances are taking place at STEAM throughout November and we hope all the students who see it love taking a trip through time.

Essential resurfacing works are taking place in 10 locations across Swindon over the next couple of months.

The improvement work forms part of the Council’s annual major and minor roads resurfacing programme, which aims to fix deteriorating road surfaces across the Borough.

Roads being resurfaced include:

• Elcombe Lane – Monday, 18 November from 7.30am to 6pm

• Raleigh Avenue – Wednesday, 20 November from 7.30am to 6pm

• Bodyhorse Hill – Monday, 25 November from 7.30am to 6pm

• Cheney Manor Industrial Estate – Wednesday, 27 November from 7pm to 6am

All work will be completed within the set times, but are subject to weather and unforeseen circumstances.

Access will be maintained for local residents and diversions will be in place for other motorists where necessary. Letters are also being sent to local residents informing them about the work.

You can keep up to date with the latest roadworks and diversions on our website.

Our NHS staff have had their flu vaccine – check if you’re eligible for yours.

More than 2,800 members of Great Western Hospital’s workforce, including staff, students, Serco colleagues and volunteers, have already rolled up their sleeves for the flu vaccine, with many more set to follow in the coming weeks.

Thank you to all of the local health staff who continue to lead by example in protecting their patients, visitors, and each other. Stay strong this winter by getting your vaccine.