Measures to improve mental health, reduce knife crime and increase safety in Swindon, as well as spending the council’s money in the local economy, should all feature in the programme for the Labour administration next year.

But only if the party holds power after the local elections in May.

Officers are drawing up what the cabinet calls the Swindon Plan - a three-year programme for improving the town, after a series of events called Let’s talk Swindon to gauge what residents want from their town and how the local authority plays its part.

And council leader Councillor Jim Robbins says it will be presented to cabinet in June - the first meeting after the election – which runs a slight risk.

He said: “We got loads of input from people at the engagement events, more than we anticipated.

“We’ve decided not to rush it and bring an updated plan to the March cabinet meeting – but we’ll give officers time to work something up properly and it’ll go to the June meeting.

“There’s a risk we could lose the election, and the Conservatives could throw it all away – but we hope that doesn’t happen.”

Cllr Robbins said the proposals would be divided into differing actions to be taken over the next three years, and sorted into the three missions of the council: combatting inequality, building a better Swindon’ and achieving net zero carbon emissions.

He added: “Actions for year one will sit with the cabinet, while the things for years two and three will go to the policy formulation committees to develop a proper policy which can be put into action.”

Cllr Robbins said the plan for the first year, if approved, will include things that have a direct impact on people’s lives.

“There’s be something on mental health, measures on knife crime and safety and we’ll definitely be doing something on community wealth building.

“That’s using the council’s spending power to support local businesses and the local economy. And Great Western Hospital is also keen to do something with us on this, so that’s exciting.”

One of the challenges about the plan, said Cllr Robbins is the council’s financial position, where it is having to make savings, and spend cash reserves, to balance the budget for next year.

He said: “It’s impossible to redevelop the town centre by ourselves – we don’t have the money – but we will be working with other stakeholders to make improvements.”

An initial report on the feedback from the Let’s Talk Swindon session will be made to cabinet on Wednesday (March 13).

A full report is planned for the meeting scheduled for June 12.