Conservative Gary Sumner is the new leader of Swindon Borough Council
Cllr Sumner heads a local authority in which no party has an absolute majority
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“We’ve seen lots of ‘jam tomorrow’, lots of glossy brochures, pictures. What people want to see is physical change.” New Swindon Borough Council Leader Cllr Gary Sumner
By Barrie Hudson
Swindon Borough Council Conservative Group leader Cllr Gary Sumner was elected leader of the authority earlier this afternoon at the Annual Council Meeting.
The gathering took place at a packed Civic Offices in Euclid Street, and also saw Cllr Sumner’s fellow Conservative Cllr Jake Chandler (St Andrews East) elected Deputy Leader.
Cllr Sumner, who represents the Chiseldon & Ridgeway Ward, said in his acceptance speech: “It’s a great honour to be supported by so many of you as leader of this fantastic council. I’m disappointed it couldn’t be unanimous but I thank you.
“The electorate spoke at this election and said they wanted change, and I think it shows that we have the opportunity, I hope, going forward, to be more collaborative, to share the responsibility for the running of this council. We are a minority administration. We will need to reach out to all sides to support us, and we will be grateful for that suport because it is for the good of Swindon.”
He added: “I really look forward to the four years that we have to deliver change for the people of Swindon.
“We’ve seen lots of ‘jam tomorrow’, lots of glossy brochures, pictures. What people want to see is physical change. They want to see a different approach, they want to see things happen. They don’t want to hear about something that’s going to happen in four or five years’ time.
“So we have very significant decisions to take; we have a borough council with a budget issue in terms of exceptional financial support, and that can’t continue forever. We need to make sure that this council generates additional income, and we need to make sure that we deliver the services that the people of Swindon expect.
“That’s what they’ve put us in here to do, to look after their interests. You are all ward councillors and you will do the very best for the people you represent, but we come together - as the outgoing Mayor said, we are corporate parents for looked-after children, we have numerous responsibilities which cross the borough, and which mean we’re all important in that endeavour. Everybody’s place is important.”
Earlier, outgoing Mayor of Swindon Cllr Fay Howard had handed over the role to her deputy Cllr Neil Hopkins, with Cllr Gayle Cook becoming the new Deputy Mayor.
As part of his portfolio of responsibilities as Council Leader, Cllr Sumner will oversee areas including inward investment, economic development, the Local Plan and local, regional and national relations.
At today’s Annual Council meeting, Cllr Sumner announced the other nine councillors that will make up the Council’s new Cabinet. They are:
Councillor Jake Chandler, Deputy Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member responsible for Strategy, Resilience and Green Infrastructure
Councillor Vinay Manro, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health
Councillor Keith Williams, Cabinet Member for Finance, Recovery and Transformation
Councillor Matthew Courtliff, Cabinet Member for Housing and Property
Councillor Kate Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Children and Education
Councillor Nick Gardiner, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport
Councillor Matt Vallender, Cabinet Member for Culture, Planning and Regeneration
Councillor Kevin Parry, Cabinet Member for Recycling and Streetscene
Councillor Matt Hinton, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Safety and Services
Today’s changeover of council leaders came in the wake of the results of the local government elections which were announced a fortnight ago, and left Swindon with a hung council and also saw the election of the first Reform UK councillors in the history of the borough.
For the first time since 2012, every council seat was contended, meaning voters across the borough were asked to choose 57 councillors across 25 wards.
Because of differing ward populations, some are represented by three councillors, some two and some just one.
By the time the count at STEAM was concluded, the Conservatives had the most seats with 23, former controlling party Labour had 19, Reform UK was in third place with 14 and the Liberal Democrats had one.
The Greens failed to win a single seat.
At the previous election, at which a third of seats were contested, Labour had emerged with a clear majority on 41, while the Conservatives had 15 and the Liberal Democrats one.
Immediately prior to the most recent poll, because of a number of changes of allegiance among councillors, Labour had 34, the Conservatives 16, the Greens four, Independents two and the Liberal Democrats one.
The result of the elections earlier this month left the council without a single party having an absolute majority, meaning none was able to form the next administration on its own.
In the wake of the results being announced both Labour and the Conservatives insisted they would not do any deals with Reform UK.
Conservative Group Leader Cllr Gary Sumner said at the time: “We were very excited to emerge as the largest party and our plan is to form a minority administration.”
He added that the group was having discussions this week about the support required to achieve this, and was optimistic that an agreement could be reached.
Labour Group Leader Cllr Jim Robbins, who had led the council since his party beat the Conservatives in 2023, said of the result: “I’m really proud that Swindon Labour bucked the national trend and the Labour vote around the town stayed high and we were able to win 19 seats.
“It was disappointing to see good local Councillors lose, and disappointing not to be the largest party in a hung Council.
“Our focus will remain what it has always been, fighting for the best for Swindon and its residents.
“We will be happy to speak to the other parties and see how we can work for the good of the town.
“We are proud of how we have changed the Council and put a spring back in the step of the town.
“We want to see the exciting projects we pushed for continue, and that work continues to put Swindon back on the map.”
Cllr Sara Godwin, leader of the new 14-strong Reform UK Group on the council, said at the time: “We are thrilled at the results from going from zero seats to 14.
“It is a massive result for Reform UK, being a new party and only having a Swindon Branch for a short while.
“The quality and hard work shown from our candidates was very impressive, I believe this is just the start of our strength as a party in Swindon.
“I am a little disappointed that the other parties elected have stated they will not work with Reform UK, the people have elected 14 of us, to not just sit and do nothing, but to try to work to a better Swindon.”
Local political commentators, together with many members of the public, found themselves speculating as to how the new Swindon Borough Council, whatever deals its parties might have to make, would deal with some of the most pressing issues in the town and the wider borough.
Among the most prominent of these is the major effort to regenerate the town centre by making it a more attractive place to live, work, do business, shop, dine and enjoy leisure activities.
Government funding ws recently secured to help build a new entertainment venue on the site of the former bus station which had been rendered obsolete by the completion last year of the Fleming Way redevelopment.
Another significant issue is the future of the iconic and historic Oasis Leisure Centre, which has been closed since the initial Covid lockdown.
The future of the centre remains uncertain following the partial rejection of a plan to reopen it during a contentious council planning committee meeting last year, at which the sticking point was a bid to build housing nearby.
The council’s finances are likely to be a significant source of contention in the coming months and years.
In opposition the Conservatives had been very critical of the Labour administration’s balancing of the books through a mechanism called Extraordinary Financial Support, which allows the council to bridge any budget gaps between its income and its spending by borrowing money or selling its assets.
The new administration can only function if it is able to set and have agreed a balanced budget.
RIAT cancelled amid Iran war
The organisers of the Royal International Air Tattoo have announced that this year’s event at Fairford will not be taking place.
The base is currently being used by American military aircraft taking part in the ongoing conflict which began with the attack on Iran by the United States and Israel.
In a statement, the organisers said: “We understand how much RIAT means to so many people; our visitors, volunteers, partners, and the wider community who return year after year. We know the memories, traditions, and anticipation that build around the event.
“This has not been an easy decision. It follows extensive discussions with the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force regarding uncertainty over access to RAF Fairford, given the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
“We want to thank you for your continued support and understanding. Everyone who has purchased a ticket will be offered the choice to roll over their tickets to RIAT27, receive a full refund, or donate the cost of their tickets to the RAF Charitable Trust, supporting our wider charitable work.”
Gavin Gager, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, said: “We know how much RIAT means to everyone, and recognise how disappointing this news will be. It is a disappointment we feel just as strongly.
“We would like to thank everyone for their support, loyalty, and understanding. Looking ahead, we remain fully committed to returning in 2027, and to making sure RIAT comes back stronger than ever. We very much look forward to welcoming you all again.”
Royal Wootton Bassett man guilty of murder
One person has been found guilty of murder and a second of manslaughter following the death of a man in Easterton.
Raymond Groves, 48, from Hartcliffe, Bristol, died following the incident on 2 July.
Following an 11-week trial, Helen Shakespeare, 53, of Strawberry Fields, Easterton, was found guilty of manslaughter but not guilty of murder.
Anthony Hodges-Hillier, 33, of Brooklands, Royal Wootton Bassett, was found guilty of murder.
Letishia Goodwin, 29, of Strawberry Fields, Easterton, was found guilty of participating in the murder.
On July 2, 2024, Raymond went to Goodwin’s address to visit Shakespeare, with whom he had previously been in a relationship. Goodwin was out at the time, but her mother, Shakespeare, was at home.
Following an altercation, Raymond was stabbed multiple times. Emergency services attended, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation was carried out by Wiltshire Police's Major Crime Investigation Team, and the trial was heard at Salisbury Crown Court in the absence of Goodwin, who was deemed unfit to stand trial.
Detective Chief Inspector Deb Hatch said: “Raymond’s death was the result of a brutal and sustained attack, and today’s verdicts reflect the gravity of the actions taken by those responsible.
“I want to pay tribute to the dedication of every officer and staff member involved, and to Raymond’s family, who have shown remarkable strength throughout an incredibly difficult process.”
All three are due to be sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on 2 July.
The Ink News Briefing
The name’s Close, Dench Close... - A series of new roads in Swindon are being named in honour of James Bond film actors. The roads are being created as part of Taylor Wimpey’s Robins Gardens development in Blunsdon St Andrew, and the choices of names mark a piece of Swindon film history. The nearby Vygon UK building, which used to house Motorola, appeared The World is Not Enough with Pierce Brosnan in 2001. Full story here
New members for parish council - Wroughton and Wichelstowe Parish Council have welcomed a brand-new set of councillors following this year’s parish elections. At a meeting of the Full Council, all 15 parish councillors formally signed their Acceptance of Office and renewed their commitment to delivering cleaner streets, safer neighbourhoods, thriving green spaces and stronger local services for residents, while working to protect Wroughton from further unnecessary development and improving existing amenities. Cllr John Hewer was re-elected as Chair of the Council, with Cllr Diane Archer named as Vice Chair. Cllr Holly Woodward will continue in the role of Chair of the Planning and Highways Committee and Cllr Lisa Campisano is the new Chair of the Community Assets and Open Spaces Committee. Full story here
Roves Farm Friendship Café celebrates four years - June marks the fourth anniversary of the much-loved Roves Farm Seniors Friendship Café, a Home Instead Charities (HIC) companionship café. The café is delivered in partnership with Roves Farm and is led by dedicated volunteers from Home Instead Swindon & Vale of White Horse. Home Instead Charities’ mission is to end loneliness and isolation for ageing adults, creating opportunities for connection and community belonging. The Roves Farm Friendship Café is a wonderful example of this mission in action. The café has become a much-loved monthly event, attracting regular attendees who describe it as a lifeline, a place where they can socialise, laugh, and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of spending time with animals. Full Story here
NHS says thousands don’t know they have ‘silent killer’ high blood pressure - Nearly 115,000 adults in the South West have been tested and treated for high blood pressure over the past two years to protect them against heart attack and stroke. New NHS data reveals that between September 2023 and December 2025, an additional 114,910 South West adults, aged 40 years old and older, were checked and treated for high blood pressure, taking the overall regional total to 68.7 percent. However, tens of thousands more may unknowingly be living day to day with risky pressure, which often shows no symptoms. People can feel fine but therir blood pressure might still be too high. NHS health chiefs in the South West are now urging those people to come forward before it’s too late. All it takes is a quick test, either to put the mind at rest or to enable the NHS to provide effective treatment. Full Story here
The Swindon Link Magazine Archive
Over on The Ink’s sister publication Swindon Link’s website you will find an impressive archive of the past 47 years of Swindon Link magazines, giving you a huge glimpse into the town’s recent past from the beginnings of West Swindon to now. You can find the archive here.
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