Have you been yet? It is great, lots of places to sit and read, window seats etc. Noise doesn't carry and there's a cafe and vending machines! Oh and lots of books too 
Do go and have a look, & let me know what you think.
This week is heavy on meetings for me, I've just left Housing Advisory Forum, we were looking at the housing options ie whether we'd be better off keeping the housing we have as Council or moving it into an independent group etc. The more I hear the more I think moving may be a better option and I never thought I'd say that.
We also looked at a new repairs programme that was so successful things got left so it's being re evaluated and started again. Then we looed at how the recycling and wheelie bins are going which is good 
People are getting good at recycling and are still using the bin bottles banks too, there is only about 50% less usage of them.
Yesterday saw me at the Standards meeting, making sure we all obey the rules and looking at whether or not the rules need tweeking, that was yesterdays meeting. I would like the rule tweeked that meant I had to give up my school nurse job but can see the sense in it so didn't bring that one up as an idea. It also monitors when standards have been broken by Councillors and Officers and I'm pleased to say these are down at present.
We had a drop in session looking at benefits, apparently Parks get the most benefits, council tax benefit and housing benefit in all the wards in Swindon. But we have an older population, in Parks the most claimants are 66-81year olds where as in Penhill the biggest group is 19-30 year olds and Central the highest is 31-45 year olds. Interesting, it made me think.
Friday last week I was in the town centre with the Simon Cowell look alike and Batman 
promoting the benefits of being on the electoral register and being able to vote We were well received mainly because we came withn balloons, free pens, keyrings etc but people who hadn't thought if it were keen to be on the register too. Only trouble was we couldn't give them forms then as they are all bar coded so it does rely on people contacting the council later to join. I must follow up and see how many do.
Finally last week and I thought I'd already covered this but it appears not, I went to the launch of the film made by the peer educators. It's called 'Best friends with Chlamydia', you can see it here . Hopefully it will spread the message of safe sex to our young people and older people too.
Better go, off to work again, no rest.... 
Have a good week.
