City status for Swindon? - More Views

Swindon - be grateful for what you have
I lived in Swindon for 50 years and saw it change in many ways. Now I live in Basildon but find myself comparing it, nearly always unfavourably with Swindon. I just hope Swindonians realise what a wonderful town they have

J A Brett


See the town for what it is and consult the people
The unanimous opinion of the Forum Committee members is that they could not endorse Swindon's bid for city status. We consider that the Borough Council should see the town in reality and that amenities such as a first class library, a real town square, a better museum/art gallery need to be in place before time and resources are spent on obtaining the "name" city. Committee members are concerned as to whether the Borough has carried out a proper public consultation on the matter when a TV survey had indicated that two thirds of the Swindon people surveyed opposed the bid.

Eddie Bedwell, Chair 21ST CENTURY SWINDON FORUM, e-mail: Edward.Bedwell@btinternet.com


No thanks!
I do not wish Swindon to become a city. There is very little identity left in Swindon why add to its anonymous reputation

A Cripps


Too small to be city
Swindon is far to small to be a city. I have lived in the Town for 38 years and have seen enormous growth and changes taking place. That's some good, but it has to stop some where.

All available land and green areas have diminished, the roads in swindon are appalling, there are stupid roadabouts everywhere and become the laughing stock of every other town.

I think city status is just another excuse to put up Rates and taxes. It does not have my vote.

S Parks


Swindon a City?
Education a Disaster? Council leadership by default? How can we even think about city status with such a bunch of amateurs in charge?

A.D.Stephenson


City status means more taxes and less accountability
If the town seeks, and receives, city status it will inevitably mean an increase in council tax - if for no other reason than all letterheadings, logos and signs will have to be changed. This, in addition to the increase in rates already forecast.

It would be interesting to know what advantage would be gained. Would services improve? Would the council be run more efficiently? I don't think so. I waited almost 3 years to get a street lamp installed - and many of my letters to the council officers (and councillors) chasing up progress, remain unanswered!

The ratepayers of Swindon are ill informed about how their hard earned money is being spent, and on whose authority. The official magazine sent to all households - at ratepayers' expense - is a catalogue of trivial items which have already been published in local papers. Its content appears to glorify councillors or various departments of the council offices. In this household, after a brief scan for real news, it is consigned to the trash bin!

What I - and I'm sure many others - would like to see published is which councillors constitute each of the various committees. When a vote is taken for some outlandish scheme for which we pay and which often misfires, who voted for it? And how many posts have the Council created for 'outreach workers for the welfare of lesbian Afganistan single mothers' or similar ultra-minority groups? We would then be in a better position to make a decision about whom to vote for when election time comes around. Councillors are elected and paid for by the electorate and they have a duty to justify their actions.

And how about a web forum where ratepayers could publish their views and questions, and possibly get a reply.

So, come on, you councillors who are reading this. Publish or be damned!

Peter Barnes, Cullerne Road, Swindon