Latest news with #DaleHeenan
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Up to £10million could be invested into Swindon's country parks
A new 'bank' to fund biodiversity and nature projects, using money from property developers could be set up in Swindon, if a Conservative motion is approved by councillors. It could see up to £10m being invested in the borough's country parks or new wildlife and nature projects in Swindon and the nearby area. Swindon Borough Council was approved by the government to become what's known as a 'responsible body' for conservation covenants. Such covenants are legally binding agreements with landowners to preserve and conserve nature. Flash Sale Alert!🌟Unlock unlimited local news subscribe today and save 40% off an annual subscription. Enjoy access to our ad-free mobile and tablet app, as well as the digital edition of the paper. Don't miss out – subscribe now!👉 — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) March 20, 2025 They can also be used for developers who cannot make the legally required gains in biodiversity on the site they are developing to make financial contributions for use elsewhere. The motion to be debated by councillors on Thursday, April 3 has been put forward by Councillors Matty Courtliff and Dale Heenan. It says: 'More than £8m in biodiversity offsetting income has been written into S106 agreements, with payment linked to triggers in those developments. If those triggers are met then monies will be transferred to Swindon Borough Council. Those contributions must be spent by agreed deadlines, and on agreed matters or risk developers clawing it back. 'An indicative £2m additional income could be available each year from developers paying for biodiversity offsetting.' The motion adds: 'Biodiversity offsetting could transform Swindon's parks and green spaces.' It requests the cabinet member for planning and placemaking Councillor Marina Strinkovsky to bring a report to cabinet to see how best to use this opportunity. It suggests looking at: 'How reciprocal arrangements could work with Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust if appointed as Responsible Bodies, setting up a Swindon Country Park and Habitat Bank, using a similar model to Plymouth City Council.' It also suggests expanding the council's park ranger team and using the money for both new equipment and boardwalks, fences and gates and day-to-day work of managing road verges and roundabouts, and also how to attract more volunteers to help work in increasing the borough's biodiversity. It also wants the cabinet to look at whether start-up money could be found for more green initiatives as a Finance ISA was used to fund the Chapel Farm solar farm. The motion will be debated and voted upon at the full council meeting on Thursday at 7pm.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Council selling industrial estates to pay off debt
A council has put two industrial estates up for sale for £16m to pay off some of its debt. Selling properties and increasing council tax by 4.99% were two measures approved by Swindon Borough Council last week to help plug a £14.7m shortfall. Council bosses have now confirmed they will sell Equity Trade Centre and the IO Centre on Hobley Drive in Stratton St Margaret. Councillor Kevin Small, the council's cabinet member for finance, said: "The sale and that of a number of other freeholds will be used to pay off short-term debt." More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire The centres are part of a package of properties the council's cabinet agreed to sell in September, with the overall amount estimated to be about £22m, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. At the time, councillors were unable to confirm which properties were being sold. The industrial estates are currently let to 22 tenants on 25 separate leases, which generates about £1.1m annually in rent for the authority. Conservative shadow cabinet member for finance, councillor Dale Heenan, said the centres were "one of the crown jewels of Swindon Council's property portfolio". "This is described as a temporary measure because it can help reduce short-term borrowing costs by sacrificing £1m in annual income – money which the council needs to replace within ten years and there is no long-term plan," Mr Heenan added. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Council puts assets up for sale to generate £21m Politicians approve maximum council tax increase Council want to sell assets to fill £14m budget hole Swindon Borough Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
