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
Famous artists, writers and photographers have found inspiration along The Ridgeway, including Paul Nash, Robert Macfarlane, Fay Godwin, Thomas Hardy, Kenneth Grahame, Eric Ravilious, Clare Leighton, Richard Jefferies… Join us for a day of talks, outdoor workshops and an art exhibition in the inspiring setting of St Dunstan’s historic church in Monks Risborough and Whiteleaf… read more
Swindon Borough Council’s month-long recycling box sorting push has concluded, but residents are being encouraged to keep up the good work long after the campaign has finished. The campaign was launched in order to increase the number of residents who sort their waste into two or more boxes. The more waste that is sorted in… read more
Swindon Borough Council and Historic England have formally launched the town’s Heritage Action Zone (HAZ). The five-year scheme will bring heritage expertise and £1.6 million of funding from Historic England, who will work with the Council and other partners to revitalise this under-appreciated area of Swindon. The scheme, led by Swindon Borough Council, will see… read more
Swindon is planning for an electric future thanks to a new policy for new-build homes that will go out for consultation in July and August. Swindon Borough Council’s Planning Committee approved the borough’s draft Parking Standards 2019 document on Tuesday (11 June) which sets out how new developments should make appropriate provision for the parking… read more
Firefighters in Swindon are giving you the chance to ‘have a go’ at becoming an on-call firefighter at the Fire Station next week. Fire crews will be on station from 10am-2pm on 15th June to encourage local people to become on-call firefighters. Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service needs new on-call recruits to provide… read more