01/10/09 - Ward Update - St Margaret

Ward update from Cllr Fisher.....

MPs Expenses etc

I found all the goings on with our MPs regarding expenses and behaviour most distasteful and we published our own ward councillors’ expenses in a previous issue for all Conservative Councillors since 2003 - £NIL.

It was very upsetting, whilst on ward duties in

Colebrook Rd
, to have a lady screaming at me that all politicians are the same. She was jumping up and down, red faced, whilst explaining her views. Well I can’t respond for everyone and I can’t claim to be a Saint – not by any means. However, I was delighted with the report to Council at the end of September from Mr Keith Carby, the independent Chair of the Scrutiny Panel, which is there to haul errant councillors into line. I hope he will not mind my quoting the introduction to his report....

“Arguably, the British public has never had a worse overall impression of politics and politicians than is the case today. Whilst this is almost certainly based on the perceptions of the behaviour of national politicians, the standing of almost everyone involved in politics has been affected.

“This is unfair on those involved in local politics and, in my opinion, especially unfair on elected Council Members in Swindon ............ whose main reason for standing in office is to make a positive difference to the lives of their fellow citizens.”

I didn’t have the chance to respond to you, Madam and I’m sure you felt you had good reason to let all hell loose on me, but I hope you read this, at least.

EDA – Eastern Development Area

Your ward councillors are continuing to campaign for control of the expansion of Swindon to be put back into local hands. Cllr Holland proposed at the July Council and it was resolved that the Council should fight the concept of the “Regional Spatial Strategy”, which would force us to take more development than we want. The RSS concept is opposed by Conservatives and Lib Dems, who supported the motion with us.

Many residents attended a surgery earlier this year, the major issue arising being the likely level of traffic in Oxford Road, but also expressing concerns about infrastructure, particularly drainage, given all the trouble we’ve experienced in recent times. These points and other points raised were processed into the public consultation before the closure date. I still have no idea how Oxford Road would cope. We will keep you informed of developments.

Crossing at Dockle Farmhouse

The crossing that was requested by residents of Stratton Road after a number of serious accidents has been included in a list to be completed ‘in due course’. Beware, it may yet be several years before it’s included in a budget, but I’m sure many of you will find it useful, as it’s a very busy and dangerous road to cross.

Oxford Road

Following suggestions from residents, I have asked officers to look at reducing the speed limit around the roundabouts at each end of Oxford Rd/Slade Drive. It’s a risky business trying to pull out of Ermin Street onto White Hart roundabout and likewise from Slade Drive or Swindon Rd onto Greenbridge roundabout. Please let us know if you have any views on this. Also, the residential area around Stephen’s Road all appears to be in a 40mph limit at present!

Citizen’s Advice

The Citizen’s Advice Bureau have asked us to let you know there’s a new service which specialises in problems relating to the over 55’s. Open 5 days a week. Contact 533135 x4

Recycling

I’m having a job to keep up as we near our initial target of 50% recycling. Don’t forget to include any textiles and clothes you can get in the recycling box - and foil (if there’s no ‘springiness’, it’s foil)

Connecting People, Connecting Places

Usually, if something has a dreadful name, it’s a dreadful idea. This one bucks the trend. This is about giving a voice on local issues to Clusters of local areas. We are in the North East Cluster and the first Chair of the Cluster is Cllr Dale Heanan tel Home: 01793 613189. Mobile: 07792 755227. Watch out for meeting dates and let Cllr Heanan know why Stratton is special and what needs and aspirations we have.