David Renard and Oliver Donachie The election of Coun Tomlinson in Priory Vale my turn the page on a difficult chapter in north Swindon Conservative politics. Until May 2020, Emma Faramarzi, whose resignation triggered this week’s by-election, was a senior member of the ruling Conservative group. She had been a member of the cabinet and was the chairman of an influential overview and scrutiny committee. Her partner Oliver Donachie was the cabinet member with responsibility for the economy in the cabinet of his fellow Haydon Wick councillor David Renard. But relations between Coun Renard and, in particular, Coun Donachie broke down at some point.
David Renard and Oliver Donachie The election of Coun Tomlinson in Priory Vale my turn the page on a difficult chapter in north Swindon Conservative politics. Until May 2020, Emma Faramarzi, whose resignation triggered this week’s by-election, was a senior member of the ruling Conservative group. She had been a member of the cabinet and was the chairman of an influential overview and scrutiny committee. Her partner Oliver Donachie was the cabinet member with responsibility for the economy in the cabinet of his fellow Haydon Wick councillor David Renard. But relations between Coun Renard and, in particular, Coun Donachie broke down at some point.
Haydon Wick flooding in 2007 Haydon Wick – originally small village distinct from Swindon – was part of the rapid post-war expansion of the town in the latter half of the 20th century. Now it is one of the town’s inner suburbs, with Priory Vale and Blunsdon St Andrew forming the outer boundary of the borough further north and west. It’s an area of modern family homes designed in the fashion of the late 20th century with lots of cul-de-sacs coming off curving primary roads. It has the highest density of any ward in North Swindon – more than even the older Victorian areas of ranks of terraced streets.
Arguments over the Oasis leisure centre dominated the debate over Swindon Borough Council’s budget for next year. But despite Liberal Democrat and Independent Tory support for a Labour proposal to guarantee £5m for the Oasis, and the ruling Conservative group having one councillor missing and one who initially voted the wrong way, the Conservative majority won and the administration’s budget was adopted. It will see a general fund of £153m for day-to-day spending over the next financial year, largely funded by council tax which will go up by 4.99 per cent. Nearly three per cent of the increase will be ringfenced to pay for adult social care.