What we've been doing in our villages up to 2022:

February 2022 update:

Ridgeway - Post 16 Transport to school policy:

Once again this year I requested wording in the policy for 2022-2-23 be updated to ensure that Sixth Form students have a right to use the school buses (subject to space) and as already they will have to pay for this.

A reminder that every year parents should enquire about spaces as early as possible.

Good Morning Councillor Sumner,

Following some investigation I wanted to provide you with an update regarding your query regarding the Transport Cabinet Report that states that there is public transport available in the area. The reason that the statement was included is because the mainstream school buses in the area are registered as public transport buses and families are able to purchase seats on these routes from the operator, whereas the SEND transport buses are registered as closed contracts and this is different to public transport service, however it is confusing. We are therefore proposing to amend the cabinet report as follows:

There is no automatic discretionary subsidised support for pupils accessing mainstream Post 16 education. However, if there are spare seats available on the statutory transport school bus (closed contract bus for years 7 to 11) going to the Ridgeway School and Sixth Form from within the Ridgeway Transport Area if over 3 miles or due to an unsafe walking route, then they will be made available to purchase on a first come first served basis through Children’s Services Transport Team on an annual basis.

Please contact the Transport Team at educationtransport@swindon.gov.uk to enquire about the spare seats available.

I trust that this clarifies this for you and that the proposed wording is clearer. Please do come back to me if you have any further queries.

Gary Sumner

Your Ridgeway Ward Councillor

Badbury Park: Day House Lane will be closed from Monday 10th August 2020 - this was originally envisaged in the consent for Badbury Park and is implemented as part of the works to upgrade Junction 15 of the M4 as part of the £17.2m project.

Signage will reflect this and I hope that once the M4 Junction 15 scheme is completed we can all use this beautiful lane for safer walking, cycling and horse-riding.

In March 2021 I visited and have asked that we get the developers to repair the verges where construction traffic has churned them up.

we are looking at further measures to make the lane safer.

Gary Sumner

Your Ridgeway Ward Borough Councillor

JANUARY 2020: In order to improve visibility at a dangerous road junction (Callas Hill crossroads) we cut back some overgrown highways verge to assist in safely using the crossroads.

Working positively with Liddington Parish Council

I volunteer with Community Speedwatch in Liddington and following residents and Parish Council's concerns about speeding motorists, I arranged a meeting with a senior SBC Highways manager & Parish Councillors (ironically on a July morning last year when the M4 was closed due to an accident)!

We discussed crossing safety, speeds and signage and the potential location for Parish Council funded flashing speed signs.

2020: The speed activated sign has now been installed and speeds detected over 90mph - the police have been informed!

Ridgeway Ward residents let me know if you have any questions:

gary@ridgewayvillages.co.uk

Gary Sumner – your Ridgeway Ward Councillor

2019 Ward events I attended and supported included the Wanborough May Day Fayre (with my wife and son we manned the barbecue all day - so apologies if we didn't chat much), and as usual I took the official photos for the Wanborough Scarecrow Trail (for which my company also sponsors first prize).

Attended the Bishopstone & Hinton Parva Country Garden Fete, Liddington Fete, Wanborough Primary's Summer Fete, whilst my son and I marshalled for the Wanborough Fun Run.

We also (through my company) sponsored the Dog Show at the Wanborough Spring Show.

We attended & loved the brilliant 'International Pig Racing' in Bishopstone hosted by Helen Browning & Tim Finney at the equally fabulous Royal Oak in Bishopstone.

COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH IN LIDDINGTON:

As one of a group of volunteers we give up our time to be a visible presence to speeding motorists in Liddington.

Data about speeding motorists is passed to Wiltshire Police and those motorists can expect to hear from the police.

The data has also helped us get permission to site movable vehicle activated speed signs on Purley Road funded by the Liddington Parish Council.

Swindon Borough Council role

Delighted to be appointed to Swindon Borough Council's Cabinet as Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning 2018/19 and re-appointed 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/2022: Elected as Deputy Leader of the Council in 2021.

A great opportunity to work in a field where I have 35 years experience - the Housing industry has been my life since I was 18.

I fully intend to deliver on the ambitious plans for Swindon with good housing developments but will work with residents to define the benefits to their community and try to secure infrastructure in a timely fashion.

CLEAN UP IN LIDDINGTON:

My son Will and I removed grafitti - cleared pavements of leaves and fallen branches and removed grass growing alongside the road on the Purley Road (B4192).

Great to look back and see what we achieved in doing this - a very tidy street scene afterwards.

We were just one part of the effort with other Liddington residents concentrating on other areas.

We brought in a leaf blower from home to speed the task!

Swindon Borough Council work

I have been the representative for Swindon on the Council of Partners of the North Wessex Downs AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) since 2016.

This is an organisation created to protect and enhance the Nationally protected & designated landscapes which surround us.

My family and I enjoy the beauty & diversity of our countryside and The Ridgeway!

We walk lots and have a demanding dog who also enjoys our countryside!

Archaeological Advisory Body of the Swindon Development Trust:

I have been the Chair of this fascinating group for four years, considering the important archaeological findings often discovered as a result of developments, monitoring the Swindon Museum and we have held meetings and worked with the National Collections Centre at Wroughton.

We planted 4000 trees at 'Manners Wood', Pack Hill, Wanborough in the AONB in November 2018 & more in February 2019 and November 2019:

Together with the Woodland Trust, staff from Nationwide Building Society and the Landscape team at Swindon Borough Council we planted 4000 trees in land aquired by SBC alongside an existing woodland scheme in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at Pack Hill, Wanborough.

Staff and pupils from Years 3&4 at Wanborough Primary were able to join us and Nationwide were good enough to lay on the coach to get them there and back safely! They were incredibly enthusiastic planters and trees were planted so quickly that more had to be brought to site! They will watch this special new woodland grow and know they helped create it in 2019.