Swindon Town Centre crisis – Tories have no plan

Labour seeking residents' inputs in new consultation.

Swindon town centre is a joke, literally. Often when people are asked their views on it they simply laugh out loud. And it’s no wonder is it? Currently, we have a town centre which is full of betting shops, dilapidated public buildings and many premises which are simply empty. How have we, as a town, got to this state? The Tories haven’t presided over a town centre regeneration so much as town centre degeneration! Nothing has been done to encourage cultural outlets, leisure facilities or a restaurant culture. Even Tory councillors say that the Tories are asleep at the wheel! With regards the future of the Swindon, the town is completely directionless and lacking in vision.

Give us your suggestions at:

We all know Swindon deserves better. Labour wants to hear what you’ve got to say on how you think we can improve the town centre so we can find a solution to this problem together.

Covid-19 Stay Safe - Update from Cllr Imtiyaz Shaikh

Imtiyaz Shaikh

Coronavirus has destroyed the global economy, taken many lives and locally hit our communities changing the way we live. Since the spike in Swindon, I have been working closely with Public Health England and Health officers to raise awareness on how we can stay safe in Swindon, including speaking directly with  Swindon Borough Council’s Director of Public Health, Steve Maddern and his team, having open & honest conversations on how we can raise awareness to stop the spread of the virus.

Besides continuing to attend all briefings, I have also been visiting local business & shops, and have created videos packed with information to share on social media. I’ve asked for a localised testing centre and will continue to push to make sure that the system works for local residents. Please keep your queries coming to me, I will do my best to resolve these for you at these uncertain times.

imtiyazshaikh135@yahoo.co.uk

Clifton Street School Good News

Clifton Street School

The developer who started to illegaly demolish Clifton Street School lost his appeal against the Council in July and we are pleased to report that work has started to repair the damage done to the building.

Cllr Patrick Herring said “This is such fantastic news! The Eastcott team campaigned long and hard for this outcome; the Clifton Street school means a lot to local residents and we are delighted to see work begin on its restoration. We will keep campaigning to preserve Swindon’s heritage and protect it from unscrupulous developers.”

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!

Forecasts suggest unemployment will rise over the coming year in the post-Covid economic downturn and with the Honda closure – and Labour has a plan to tackle this in Swindon. The public sector in Swindon spends around £2billion per year on goods and services that it can’t provide itself. Much of this money goes to companies with no connection with Swindon. Labour will prioritise those contracts to Swindon-based companies employing Swindon residents.

We will encourage the council, the health sector, schools, the police and other public sector bodies to ensure that where possible those contracts go to local companies. The current Tory council have already rejected the scheme, showing little commitment to local business and the retention of jobs in Swindon. An incoming Labour council will make this our number one economic priority. We are in a time of crisis and we must do all we can to protect and create jobs.

Eastcott Labour Borough Councillors

Councillor
Paul Dixon
07454 736769
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Councillor
Imtiyaz Shaikh
07894 543786
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South Swindon Parish Labour Councillors

Parish Councillor
David Griffiths
07957 552006
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Parish Councillor
Patrick Herring
07986 994309
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Parish Councillor
Marina Strinkovsky
07816 243012
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Parish Councillor
Sam James
07875 190904
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