Ofsted has praised “the swift and decisive action to improve services for children and young people in Swindon” after a recent inspection. Ofsted was so impressed by the rapid rate of improvement within Swindon Borough Council’s Children’s Services department, it judged Children’s Services to be providing the children and families of Swindon with a ‘good’… read more
A section of the Wilts & Berks Canal has been restored thanks to an investment from Swindon Borough Council. The Council contributed around £2.5m to improving the 500m stretch of canal, which includes the building of a new towpath, the creation of new ecological habitats and the installation of new lighting along the bankside. The… read more
The A-Level pass rate for students in Swindon has increased, according to provisional results published today (15 August). A total of 778 students received their results today and, of the 1,739 exam entries, 96.8 per cent were awarded a pass (A*-E), slightly up on last year’s figures (96.3 per cent). Although the proportion of A-Level… read more
Take a look at the Governments guidance on what you will need for driving in the EU after Brexit: international driving permits.
Swindon Borough Council is seeking the views of members of the public to help inform the allocation of sites for housing and employment within the borough. The consultation, which starts today (29 July), will help the Council refresh its Local Plan, which sets out how much housing Swindon needs over a 20-year period and identifies… read more
Old Town could be the latest area of Swindon to benefit from significant government funding after Swindon Borough Council submitted a bid to The High Streets Heritage Action Zones (HSHAZ) programme. The £40m funding programme forms part of the Government’s Future High Street Fund and has been allocated to Historic England for work to support… read more
An ambitious strategy to reduce the numbers of rough sleepers in Swindon has been approved by members of the Health and Wellbeing Board. The Board is made up of representatives from Swindon Borough Council and key partners such as the Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS England and others. The Reducing Rough Sleepers Strategy, which sets… read more
Wiltshire NHW is having its 2019 AGM on Saturday 13th July at Wiltshire Police Headquarters in Devizes between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm. That will allow everyone time to get home for Wimbledon and other afternoon activities! The Chair, Mike Davidson, will be reporting on our progress over the last year on our mission to… read more
To help Swindon recycle as much as possible we will be rolling out a number of service changes from August which are explained below. We have also sent everyone an essential guide to waste and recycling in the post but if you have misplaced it, more are available to pick up in your local Swindon… read more
Exciting plans to revitalise Fleming Way by creating a new bus interchange have received a significant boost from the Government. Swindon Borough Council’s application for £25m in funding from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund was among the bids to make it through to the next assessment phase. More than 300 bids from across the… read more
Swindon’s new Cultural Heritage Institute (CHI) has moved a significant step closer after work started to create a new learning centre in the town’s former Great Western Railway Carriage Works. The new centre is part of the Royal Agricultural University (RAU). When opened in 2020 it will offer an exciting place to learn and develop… read more
Major highway improvements designed to facilitate the construction of new housing communities will begin in earnest over the next few months. The schemes are part of a £72m programme of road improvement works which will be taking place over the course of the next few years to ensure vital infrastructure is in place before new… read more
The Council is asking people if they think rules which ensure dog owners act responsibly at Lydiard Park should be kept in place. From Monday 1 July, people will be able to respond to a consultation on the proposed continuation of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) regarding dog control at Lydiard Park. In 2016,… read more
Plans to consult residents on where to build an extra 1,000 homes in the borough by 2036 will be discussed by councillors at next Wednesday’s (10 July) Cabinet meeting. The consultation would help inform a refresh of the Council’s Local Plan, which sets out how much housing Swindon needs over a 20-year period and identifies… read more
Swindon Borough Council’s hunt for new foster carers continues, with a new campaign being launched this week. The Council is encouraging anyone who has been thinking about fostering, or would like to know more information, to get in touch with its fostering team. There are several different types of fostering, including long-term placements, emergency placements… read more
It has taken nearly half a century, but councillors in Chippenham have again taken charge of recreation and community facilities they were last responsible for in the early 1970s. Read the full news story at localgov.co.uk/The-rise-of-the-super-parish-council/
We often complain about the sweltering temperatures as humans, but often forget that our pets also feel the heat. At Drove we often get asked how best to keep your dog safe when temperatures are high. Here are a few hints and tips: walk in the early mornings and evenings when it is slightly cooler…. read more
The harrowing tale of a woman, Iris, who sold all her belongings and sent £4,000 to her internet love interest, is being used to warn others of the dangers of scams. Scams Awareness Week, which is being launched on Monday (24 June) by Trading Standards South West’s (TSSW) newly-relaunched ScamWise service, aims to provide everyone… read more
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) is serving its communities well, it has been confirmed in its first inspection from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary & Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), released today (20 June). HMICFRS has spent the last year analysing data and documents and visiting the Service to assess it against… read more
Swindon will take a significant step towards expanding its recycling services by introducing a trial collection of separate food waste recycling. The trial is being introduced as part of the Council’s 10-year waste strategy, which outlines its commitment to protecting the environment and managing the borough’s waste and recycling responsibly, and is one of a… read more