Residents are again being asked 'how to make Swindon better'.

In late 2023 the council leader Councillor Jim Robbins, and members of the cabinet and senior officers hosted several ‘Let’s Talk Swindon’ sessions which fed the council’s upcoming Swindon Plan.

The Swindon Plan is a major document setting the direction for the town going forward and is expected to be finalised next year. 

Now that the first draft has been published,  Councillor Robbins and his colleagues want to hear again from people living and working in the borough to refine and improve the plan.

Council leader, Councillor Jim Robbins, said: “We are committed to hearing what our residents have to say on the work we are doing to benefit the borough. I know how important it is that the council engages our local communities in its work, which is why we are running additional ‘Let’s Talk Swindon’ engagement sessions throughout November.

“Despite the challenging financial constraints on all local authorities, we must still be ambitious for Swindon as many of our upcoming activities have already been costed and are now in development.

“It is really important to us that local residents get the chance to provide feedback on the Swindon Plan, particularly the revitalisation of the town centre, and the results of the 2024 resident survey so that we can deliver on the priorities that matter most to them.

“I can’t wait to hear what they have to say, and encourage as many people as possible locally to attend.”

The council says that at the events, residents, partners and council colleagues will get the chance to hear about a set of new ambitions developed by private, public and voluntary sector partners for Swindon town centre, which is a significant issue of interest to many people.

The council wants to use the plan as a template to help move the centre of the town centre from a past dominated by retail to a future destination where people live, work, socialise and learn.

Attendees will also see the results from the 2024 Swindon Resident Survey held in the summer, which received more than 4,400 responses.

Three main events hosted by Cllr Robbins and the council’s chief executive, Sam Mowbray will be held across November at the following locations:

Tuesday, November 19 at New College 6.30pm - 8.30pm, Monday, 25 November 25 at Central Library  6.30pm - 8.30pm, and Saturday, November 30 at North Swindon Library, 2.30pm - 4.30pm.

Attendees can arrive half an hour before the start of the session

Attendance is free, but booking is essential.  Visit www.swindon.gov.uk/letstalkswindon to book a place.

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