Swindon lauded for service improvements, community engagement, and cultural shift, earning nomination.
Swindon Council got nominated this year. Judges noticed improvements in their services and strengthened community work. The council improved its internal culture, too.
Jim Robbins runs the Swindon Borough Council. He is very happy about the nomination and said the hard work paid off. The judges saw the progress they are making.
He thinks it’s great news, given the money problems. Swindon stood out by getting better and by becoming a force for good in their area.
The council used the Swindon Plan for the awards. It was finalized last July. They used feedback from locals to shape it; 700 residents gave their thoughts.
The council worked with the LGA last September and had a “Corporate Peer Challenge.” People visited for four days, talking to workers and residents.
The report said they built a good culture, which promotes being open and working together. The council achieved a lot in the past year and built a solid foundation.
The council told the housing regulator about themselves. That happened in September of 2024. They are getting inspected as landlords, every four years.
Swindon Council shared a housing plan which addresses areas for improvement. They had a practice inspection back in 2023, which helped form the improvement plan.
Ofsted visited three times last year. They noted the progress made and that services improved for kids and families. The council provides better support to them.
The council isn’t getting complacent. They want consistent, good services for residents, plus they want to achieve their Swindon Plan goals.