West Swindon Parish Council maintains a range of services. Sometimes we know that it is difficult for you to find out who is responsible. Please check our list of frequently asked questions below.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. There is a problem at a play area, who is responsible?
A. The Parish Council maintains and refurbishes play areas across West Swindon. Inspections are made weekly from October to March and twice weekly from April to September. If there is a problem, you can report it to the Parish Team here
If there is a problem at evenings, weekends or public holidays, please contact the out of hours team on 01793 445501.
Q. I have found broken glass/needles, who do I call?
A. During the working day you can contact the Parish Office to report any needle or drug detritus or broken glass. If there is a problem at evenings, weekends or public holidays, please contact the out of hours team on 01793 445501. If there is an urgent problem that requires immediate attention please call 999.
Q. Can I get an allotment?
A. Yes, we have one allotment site at Blagrove. Currently there is a long waiting list. Please contact the Parish Office and we will add you to the list. Once you are on the list we will be able to keep you updated on progress to get you a plot.
Q. When will the grass be cut?
A. The Parish Council cuts grass across West Swindon on a two to three weekly cycle. We are cutting longer this year to enable regrowth between cuts. If you think we have missed an area, please contact us to let us know or use the Request for Service form: Request a Service
Q. There is an overflowing bin, who is responsible?
A. The Parish Council empties public bins Monday to Friday. Toothill, Freshbrook and Shaw Village Centre are emptied daily. Play areas and parks are emptied twice weekly. Tesco and other small shops may have their own bins. We do not empty bins in Lydiard Park. We do not cover Peatmoor shops. If you see an overflowing bin, you can contact us to let us know, you can use the Request for Service form: Request a Service
Q. There is flytipping, who is responsible?
A. Both West Swindon Parish and Swindon Borough Council have responsibility. For small amounts of waste on public land, verges and open spaces, you can contact the Parish Council Request a Service. For large items and mass waste, you can report to Swindon Borough Council. Sometimes this will be investigated by Swindon Borough Council’s environmental crime team. Flytipping Report SBC
You can book appointments at the household waste and recycling centre at Waterside if you need to get rid of items from your home: Book a visit
Q. Who is responsible for removing graffiti?
A. The Parish Council will remove offensive graffiti on public property within 5 working days of it being reported unless there is a practical reason why this cannot be done. Non offensive markings will be removed when there are the resources available to do so. If graffiti is on private walls or fences, we cannot remove it. Swindon Borough Council offer a service for home owners, further details are on the following link: Report graffiti | Swindon Borough Council
Q. I have problem with trees that neighbour my property, who is responsible?
A. Swindon Borough Council is responsible for all trees on public land in West Swindon. Generally it is expected that home owners have the responsibility to manage any overhanging branches or falling leaves/fruit themselves. If there is a safety issue or damage to property you must report it to Swindon Borough Council in the first instance: Tree maintenance report If there is a fallen tree that requires the specialist tree team to remove, or has occurred out of hours, please call Swindon Borough Council on (01793) 445500.
Q. There are low hanging branches causing a problem for pedestrians and cyclists?
A. If trees or shrubs are on public land, the Parish Council can remove low hanging branches or cut back problem stems or overgrowth where it is causing a nuisance for passers by..Report it to us on the Request for Service form:Request a Service If the problem relates to someone’s private hedge, shrub or tree, it is the homeowners responsibility, however, Swindon Borough Council can take action to enforce it where it is blocking access to the highway. You can report it on the following link: Overgrown shrubbery report
Q. There is a problem with brambles or nettles?
A. The Parish Council can strim or cut back brambles or nettles when they are getting in the way of the footpath. Please use the Request for Service form to report it to us: Request a Service
Q. There is a problem with overgrown shrubbery around my property/car parking space, can I remove it?
A. You can remove any overgrowth on your property from plants on neighbouring land. You should take care not to damage or remove the plant, shrub or tree if it is on public land. There are no permissions in place that give you the right to remove or damage plants on public land. If you have a concern, please contact us first so that we can arrange a home visit. You must dispose of any cuttings responsibly. You cannot leave them on public land as this is classed as illegal flytipping and you could get fined.
Q. When will the Parish Council cut the shrubs/hedges?
A. The Parish Council cuts hedges and shrubs in the Autumn and Winter. There is usually one cut a year. If you have a problem outside of that time, please contact us and we will do our best to help.
Q. We need the road sweeping/drains clearing?
A. Swindon Borough Council is responsible for road sweeping and all roadside drain problems. You can report a problem on their website. To request the road sweeper use this link: Report a dirty street or land that needs cleaning | Swindon Borough Council To report a problem with drainage or flooding: Drains and sewers | Flooding | Swindon Borough Council
Q. There is a problem with the state of pavements, cycle paths and footways, who is responsible?
A. Swindon Borough Council is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all footpaths, cycle paths and roads. You can register a problem or concern on their website: Roads, footpaths, pavements and verges maintenance and repair | Swindon Borough Council
Q. There is a faulty street lamp, who do I report it to?
A. Swindon Borough Council is responsible for street furniture and street lighting. You can report a fault directly on Report a faulty street light or illuminated sign | Swindon Borough Council
Q. I want to use a gate in my fence to access public land, is this ok?
A. You can install gates and fences on your boundary. You cannot clear grass, shrubs or trees on public land to give you access to your gate. You cannot install paving slabs, arbours or store materials on public land.
Q. Can I leave green waste on the land next to my garden waste?
A. No. Any waste material that is left on public land is classed as illegal flytipping and you could get fined. It does not matter where the waste has come from and it does not matter if the waste will eventually rot down. You have no permission for this and you could damage the local environment. If you know of someone who is doing this, you can report it to us.
Q. There is waste accumulating in the area by my local shops, who is responsible?
A. Many of the village centres have a service yard area or they have a space that they lease behind their units. They are responsible for keeping this clean and tidy. If the problem is serious, you can report it to Swindon Borough Council's environmental team: Report rubbish on private land | Swindon Borough Council
Q. Can I secure public land for my own use?
A. Public land that is maintained by the Parish Council is part of a legal agreement with Swindon Borough Council who is the landowner. We have volunteer groups who take care to preserve and maintain public open spaces such as copses and wildflower areas. Generally these are the only times that people other than the public service staff work on the land. Sometimes it is possible to buy land for your own use, further details are on their website: Purchasing council-owned land | Swindon Borough Council
Q. I would like to volunteer, how can I do this?
A. We have many volunteers making a great difference in West Swindon. Some people are part of group work and other people volunteer on their own. We can provide you with basic equipment and we ask that you follow simple rules to keep yourself safe. Please contact us the office and we can tell you all about it or use the Request for Service form:Request a Service
Q. How can I find out about what the Parish Council is doing?
A. The Parish Council has four public meetings each month (except August). There is one meeting of the whole Council and three Committees that consider issues for the Parish
Details of the meeting dates, Agendas and reports are on the Parish Council’s website: Meetings
Q. Who is my local Parish Councillor?
A. We have fifteen Parish Councillors in West Swindon. Details can be found here: Councillors
Q. I would like to make a complaint about the Parish Council, how do I do this?
A. To make a formal complaint, you can contact one of your Parish Councillors or you can send it in writing to the Chair of the Parish Council c/o Parish Office, Unit 25 Westmead Industrial Estate,
Bridge Mead Close, Swindon, SN5 7YT
© Copyright West Swindon Parish Council