Mechanics' To Become Swindon Borough Council's Defining Moment?

The roof of the Mechanic's Institute is weak enough to be in danger of collapse and Friday's press release from Swindon Borough Council details the removal of the roof before that happens.

After much politicking in recent years, the announcement that the Council were to carry out the emergency repair work on the Mechanics had the feel of a sudden redemptive move by a drunk waking up the morning after. There was much throwing up of specially made banners and hoardings and portacabins and then... little visible work appeared to happen.

The fact the roof was about to fall on Swindon Commercial Services workers explains that.

In the intervening days and weeks between SCS moving in and today the full-extent of the works needed to be taken has become starkly clear to all involved. There seemed to be an attempt to soften the blow when the building's condition was given an interim assessment in this press release. No simple quick fix, photo-op and glory taking by councillors seems possible and thank goodness.

Swindon Centric Says ; The fate of this building represents perfectly the fate of Swindon Borough Council and it's ruling Conservative party. What outwardly seemed solid-enough clearly, after investigation, is dangerously in need of work before it collapses in on itself and showers everyone, councillors, council workers and locals with debris.

If this weekend's announcement of careful, painstaking dismantling and repair of the northern roof is followed through, this could just mark a brave (a word never used in politics, for it represents a true decision that can lead to political suicide for the people concerned) move that Swindon Borough Council's ruling executive needed to make.

Does today mark the day our Council finally chose to be a council?

Only the fate of the roof in Emlyn Square can be the marker for that (appropriately, it's currently covered in Conservative-blue plastic sheeting).

Council Steps Up & Confirms Mechanics Work

Repair work on making the Mechanics' Institute safe has been confirmed by Swindon Borough Council.

Chances are you may have missed this news, but it's in the latest issue of Swindon News that Swindon Centric posted about yesterday (Scroll down on the link and you'll find it on the sixth page).

The work has been ordered by the council to make the building safe and money (in the form of a grant of £200,000 from English Heritage) spent will be claimed back from the owner.

Swindon Centric Says ; Will the work be carried out by Swindon Commercial Services or will the council bring in another contractor?

P.S. Swindon Centric spotted the current owner of the Mechanics' Institute, standing on the corner of Emlyn Square and London Street a few days ago, pensively listening on his phone. Seems that the time for talking is over.

Sign of the Times?

Swindon Centric noticed that the contractor's signs put up around the perimeter of the Mechanic's Institute have gone, with just the wooden frame that held them remaining.

Is this anything to do with the passing of the deadline the council happily made lots of noise about regarding the basic safety of the building?

Swindon Centric Says ; The 20th April deadline was a long time ago, so, Planning Director David Potter, when does SCS (Swindon Commercial Services, the limited company that the council created of it's 'works' department at the beginning of the year, for more on that, read the threads on TalkSwindon) move in?

Council Digs Out Hard Hats For Mechanics

There's now just under two weeks left for Matthew Singh, owner of the Mechanics Institute, to present his order of works to the council.

If the information and timetable he presents isn't deemed realistic or acceptable then the council will contract the work out, to make the building safe, under the Urgent Works Notice, and then claim the money back from him. Externally, nothing has happened, the blue plastic is still flapping, and superficially, a sign advertising a contractor has been placed by the main south doors.

Swindon Centric Says ; With comments that the council would take ownership, it seems just a matter of time before lots of Swindon Commercial Services staff arrive.