Improving parks and open spaces, providing more support for young families and helping people with their mental wellbeing as we emerge from Covid-19 restrictions are the top priorities for the Swindon’s newest borough councillor. Kate Tomlinson the Conservative candidate won the by-election in the Priory Vale ward triggered by the resignation in May of Emma Faramarzi While a Conservative win in a safe ward was not unexpected, Coun Tomlinson’s performance was the best ever seen by the party in the area – albeit on a very low turn out of 1882 or 22 per cent of eligible voters. Her share represents 60.5 per cent of the vote, up from her ward and party colleague Jo Morris Gold’s 53.85 per cent in May.
LOCAL ELECTIONS
Clockwise from top left: Pam Adams (Labour), Geoffrey King (Lib Dem), Rod Hebden (Green) and Sudha Nukana (Conservative) One of Swindon’s best-known buildings sits towards the margins of Rodbourne Cheney ward – but will be at the heart of the campaign running up to the May 6 elections. The famous Oasis dome is prominent in the south part of the ward but arguments about how the leisure centre – leased by Swindon Borough Council to Seven Capital – came to be closed, how soon it can be reopened or whether it is better to rebuild a new centre will continue all the way up to polling day.
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Swindon Local Elections 2018. Pictured Andy Spry.03/05/18 Thomas Kelsey. The death of two sitting councillors, the resignation of another, and a year’s delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic have transformed what would have been routine local elections into something quite unusual. The 57 borough councillors in 20 wards are elected in thirds and 19 seats are up for grabs every year for three years, with no elections every fourth year. The successful candidates serve a four-year term. But this year’s elections, delayed for a year will see major changes. Councillors who are standing again for election and those who are stepping down have served a five-year term. It means means those elected this year, whether veterans or new councillors, will only serve a three-year term.