First the Oasis and Wyvern and now the Arts Centre. Conservatives picking the assets off one-by-one. People now see for themselves that Lydiard Park, Stanton Park, Coate Water Country Park, The Platform and STEAM are to face the same fate. All this is being done in the name of austerity and at the behest of a government policy of privatisation of public services.
Going, Going, Gone: a phrase we are more familiar with today, especially with TV programmes that show how to turn a quick penny of profit on something sold at a give away price. The people in Swindon can now see for themselves the slow creep of Conservative “back door privatisation” on the town's services.
First the Oasis and Wyvern and now the Arts Centre. Conservatives picking the assets off one-by-one. People now see for themselves that Lydiard Park, Stanton Park, Coate Water Country Park, The Platform and STEAM are to face the same fate. All this is being done in the name of austerity and at the behest of a government policy of privatisation of public services. At present a consultation is being undertaken on the council’s leisure services, but the decision has been made to give them to interested companies on 99 year leases. The Link, Dorcan, Highworth, Croft and the golf courses will be gone very soon; handed to private organisations.
Left to right: Swindon Arts Centre, Coate Water and The Platform
Labour is not hearing on the doorstep that local people want to lose control of their leisure facilities, parks and libraries. In fact, quite the opposite is being said and Lydiard Park is being seen as a test of the people against political will. The haste to get rid of the leisure services is a reality, which is happening, right here, right now and that is why Labour is listening to people and standing firm.
Councillor Jim Grant has pledged that he would never allow a Labour administration under his control to privatise Lydiard Park or pass it out of control of the council.
Steph Exell says about the Link Centre, "People in Shaw tell me that they are outraged by news of the local Conservative councillors’ proposal to dispose of the Link Centre. Residents are shocked to hear that the outcome of this proposal is due to be decided imminently and are lobbying their local councillors who are responsible for this sorry state of affairs."
Labour Councillor Cindy Matthews (Lydiard and Freshbrook) added, “It is clear that the Conservatives have panicked as a result of the backlash from the public over the leisure services. Lydiard Park may be a line in the sand for many after seeing the way the Arts Centre has been dealt with. Croft, Coate and Stanton Park are still on the hit list along with golf courses."
Labour will keep Lydiard Park in council control and management. To help us to do that please sign our petition here.