Open Government

Swindon Centric isn't able to attend tonight's cabinet meeting (6.15pm at the Civic Offices), but would urge anyone that does and wishes to ask questions to save them for the official cabinet meeting.

The reason? If I asked questions to my councillors, I'd rather it's during the actual cabinet meeting not the watery 'meet and greet' beforehand, so that something resembling my concerns and a suitable response ends up on the public record.

Swindon Centric Says ; If anyone who reads this does go, can they please ask exactly where, out of the council finances, the money came from for the wi-fi grant? The answer I received, was a bit of a double-negative.

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 144

"Correct change only please and lifejackets are under your seats."

Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. And they created a monster.

9. I'm dizzy, I need air.

8. Are you like a crazy person?

7. We re being buried beneath an avalanche of your inadequacies, Mary.

6. Yes, he's naughty, yes, he's a liar.

5. You're not really working as a team, remember?

4. This has gone far too far.

3. Are you ready for it? Are you ready for it?

2. Does it have a happy ending?

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. But again, truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty you need only look into a mirror.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

Why-Fi? Adver Attempts To Shore Up Support

The Advertiser has attempted to shore up support for the wi-fi project with a total of three businessmen saying they back the scheme, which looks more like a flimsy piece of PR.

Perhaps the newspaper should have asked them whether they thought the process of arranging the money for the scheme had been conducted clearly and in a professional business-like way?

Swindon Centric Says ; These are deep waters and rather murky.

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 143

Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. I think he's run away with his own ego.

9. The whole thing is imploding like a Bond villian's volcano hideout.

8. I went and asked for a £450,000 loan and they laughed in my face.

7. Talk about a dropped connection.

6. The signal is weak in this one.

5. Egotistical, grandstanding, and out of touch and that's just locally!

4. Ignore the electorate at your peril.

3. Transparency isn't important is like saying that locks on bank safes are an optional extra.

2. 3 people making a decision, rather than the whole council, why?

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. So, when's the vote of no confidence?

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

Anne Snelgrove Rips Apart The Wi-Fi Scheme, Live In Parliament

You can watch the House of Commons debate live right now and TalkSwindon's contribution (about the Directorship) has just been talked of!

Watch it live here.

Swindon Centric Says ; Democracy from Swindon's citizen journalism to the House of Commons! Hooray to all concerned!

House of Cards Continues to Fall

Councillor Phil Young, the cabinet member for Culture, Regeneration & Economic Development is to step down from that position and that of councillor come the election in May.

Swindon Centric Says ; Any more resignations? Please take a ticket and get in the queue.

Digital Divisions Exposed With Resignation

"Well, my gauges must be wrong. I've got a wind blowing due east. Now what kind of a fog blows against the wind?"

The murky wi-fi project has reached new depths, with Mr Hitesh Patel resigning as a director of Digital City on Friday. Fellow cabinet member Mr Greenhalgh has expressed his unease about the appropriateness of Mr Patel being a director whilst briefing the council on the validity of the business proposal. His resignation will keep the questions churning, though, judging by previous behaviour, Mr Bluh will be reluctant to answer them.

Swindon Centric Says ; Like sailing a woodworm infested trawler into a fogbank, it can't fail!

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 142

Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. So how far does the coverage reach yet?

9. But I've already got broadband on my phone.

8. How much of my money have they spent?

7. Can I ask for the £50,000 back?

6. So, is he on the board or not?

5. What would this money have been spent on otherwise?

4. Why wasn't this idea for a town-wide mesh not put out to tender?

3. This stinks to high-heaven.

2. Did every single member of the cabinet support it?

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. So he's resigned?

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

Bye-Bye To Wi-Fi?

The future of Swindon's w-fi mesh is being decided tonight tomorrow night at a council meeting (thank you to Komadori for the correction).

Things seemed so different back last year, when the 'wow' factor of the scheme was very fresh. Rikki Hunt, in tomorrow's Swindon Advertiser, is trying to resurrect that initial positive spin.

Swindon Centric Says ; So, will the rest of the money be handed over, or will the Labour and Lib-Dem councillors stand up?

A Glimpse At Redevelopment Purgatory

Swindon Centric was loitering in town earlier and saw the gate to the former Thamesdown Transport depot on Corporation Street open and signs of activity with building supplies occupying some of the vast space.

I'd like to think that it's the beginning of the Union Square work, but it's probably being used as storage for work happening elsewhere, the repaving of Canal Walk perhaps? It's easy to forget how vast a space the Union Square development covers, the picture above shows how big just the old bus depot site is.

Swindon Centric Says ; I wonder if there are any tram rails left under the concrete, from when the site was the tram depot?

Top Ten Things Heard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 141

Click here for the original and still the best at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. As near, as makes no difference, my memory's come back.

9. You've got to put a spoke in their wheel.

8. Friend of my Father's.

7. The situation is extremely sensitive.

6. He certainly did not, how dare you!

5. She's about as funny as an ITV sitcom.

4. Friendship is a word he can neither spell, nor knows the definition of.

3. That line is so tired.

2. Have you tried shaking it until they all start rattling?

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. But this is good quality, from Primark, this won't fall apart.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.