Following two council tax rises including the largest increase in the country last year, UKIP are committed to restoring the council tax cap that was removed from residents by implementing a parishing system that the residents of Swindon were not consulted on.
We want money spent on our declining public services, on the NHS (particularly mental health) and fixing the thousands of potholes. Currently we are paying more and receiving less, which is fundamentally wrong.
We believe that all council staff salaries should not exceed that of our Member of Parliament (currently £77k). At the moment there are 15 staff who exceed this salary and approximately 10 on over £100k (up to £165k). We believe this money should be better spent. The Chief Executive of SBC - Ex-Assistant Director of Children’s Services at Telford and Wrekin Council, earns £164,250 - closer to £200,000 including expenses!
Art and Culture
We want to scrap the proposed plans for a museum/art gallery by Wyvern Theatre that will cost Swindon tax payers over £5,000,000. All opposition supports this utter waste of money.
We want private investment and lottery funding to restore the Carriage Works in order to develop an art gallery there and preserve our glorious heritage.
As for the site that had been earmarked for the new building, where there used to be a car park. Many people took their lives there and we would see it turned into a place of tranquillity, as a memorial to them and the plight of mental health that is grossly neglected.
Infrastructure
Swindon has suffered years of neglect and has failed to keep up with the population explosion. This has cause a huge strain on our infrastructure, particularly the roads. We want to improve this by investing more in public transport and in the design of our roads.
Following years of failure by local Labour councillors in Rodbourne to address the traffic problems, we will talk to the residents who have mainly suffered from this issue, and to the drivers who are regularly caught up in traffic jams in order to find a solution.
We want to add to Park and Ride schemes and publicise it, to encourage commuters and more visitors to visit Swindon and ease traffic in areas such as Rodbourne for those visiting the Outlet Shopping Centre.
Following the increase in accidents along Thamesdown Drive, we believe that red light traffic cameras should be installed, in order to save lives.
There are still many homes in Swindon that do not have Fibre Optic internet access despite being close to an exchange. We shall press for all homes to have access to it as soon as possible.
Anti-Social Behaviour
We believe that those who put strains on the NHS through drunken behaviour should be made to pay for any additional cost to the NHS or Police.
Those causing disturbance to their neighbours through loud music or by intimidation etc should be dealt with quickly and severely, so that others can live their lives peacefully.
Safety and Crime Prevention
Crime has increased in urban areas due to lack of police resources. We demand a more visible police presence to thwart any potential crime and seek stronger sentences to act as a deterrent for potential offenders.
Housing
Our young people have been utterly betrayed by the housing crisis. Only 7870 council houses were built during the thirteen years of the last Labour government and the Tories are totally out of touch regarding the number of houses needed.
We want brownfield sites used for development, instead of ripping up our glorious countryside, which is so much under threat.
We would like quality pre-fab homes built that will provide affordable homes for families, making use of renewable resources using modern techniques.
Putting our Children first
Our children are the flower of the nation. We want to see Sure Start centres reintroduced as part of giving them the best possible start in life.
Child grooming gangs have been rife in other parts of the country, including as locally as Oxford. We demand that social services and police dedicate all resources necessary to crack down on this growing problem.
Residential Parking
When many estates were built, it was not foreseen that many households would have more than one car. We demand that all new builds must cater for this and provide sensible spaces on all estates.
Environmental
Areas in Swindon, particularly Old Town, suffer from air pollution. We shall press the council to have a Clean air policy by 2025 and introduce electric council vehicles as far as possible.
Community and culture
Integrate not segregate is our policy. We shall champion the integration of our many diverse cultures and promote more community spirit and be proud of our town.
Homelessness
Homelessness has become a serious issue in Swindon. Nobody should have to sleep rough in 2018. We aim to promote the use of empty buildings to provide basic shelter and will work with local homelessness charities to achieve this.
Fly tipping
This problem is on the increase and has now got out of control. We propose increasing the tip opening hours and demand maximum fines for fly tipping
Littering is anti-social behaviour. We pay enough in Council Tax so should not have to rely on local volunteers to clean up. We propose community service schemes to keep Swindon cleaner. Maximum fines should be imposed on litter louts.
We aim to run school programmes to educate the young on the issues litter causes to our environment, such as plastic in the sea and damage to local wildlife.
Preserving our heritage
The Mechanics' Institute, along with the Carriage Works is a key part of Swindon’s heritage and culture but both have been left rotting for decades.
With Private investment and Heritage Lottery funding we are committed to preserving these buildings and seeing them restored to their former glory.
Instead of wasting over £5,000,000 of Swindon taxpayers' money on a new build Art Gallery that has been widely opposed by residents, but supported by both Labour and the Tories, we want to see Lydiard House preserved for all to enjoy.
Brexit
Brexit is being betrayed by the appeasing failure of our government who are giving in to the demands of the Brussels and damaging the prospects of our departure from the EU.
So Vote UKIP to show you oppose these unnecessary and lengthy negotiations. Swindon can be a beacon of hope for the rest of the country. Our voice must grow stronger at the failure of Parliament to act on the will of the people.
Power to the people
We believe in total democracy, and want to see all major decisions in the town put to local referenda so that the people of Swindon can decide democratically on the future of their town.
Unlike Labour, Conservative and the Lib Dems, UKIP Councillors will not be forced to toe their party line by means of a "whipping" system. If elected UKIP Councillors will be free to vote and work for what is in the best interest of Swindon's residents, rather than only what is in the interests of the party they represent.
We will represent you, and work for you --- we will fight for Swindon!
