Swindon’s newly formed Green group of councillors has wasted no time in setting out its priorities, submitting three motions to this week’s full council meeting.
Leader of the Green group, Cllr Tom Butcher, said the aim is to make a tangible difference for local residents from the outset.
“The priority for us is to focus on what matters most to people in Swindon – fixing housing, making roads safer, especially for schoolchildren, and creating greener, more climate-resilient communities,” he said.
One motion highlights road safety at a key location on Akers Way, as the borough approaches the third anniversary of the tragic death of Harry Parker. The Greens are calling for the road surface to be raised to deter speeding and are asking the council to explore whether a Zebra crossing might further improve safety. They hope this scheme can serve as a template for safer crossings at schools across Swindon.
Another motion addresses council housing, which the group says is under significant pressure. With waiting lists growing and the impacts of the Right to Buy scheme reducing available social homes, the Greens want to calculate exactly how much revenue has been lost and push for investment in expanding housing stock to help local families.
Finally, the Greens are championing a street tree planting programme across the borough, fully funded and designed in consultation with residents and parishes. Cllr Butcher explained the benefits:
“Street trees aren’t just decorative. They provide cooling and shade during heatwaves, reduce flooding, and make Swindon a nicer place to live and work. We want to plan carefully, following the ‘right tree, right place’ principle, and launch a detailed rollout for the 2026 planting season.”
The motions, covering housing, road safety and urban greening, underline the group’s commitment to making environmental, social and safety improvements a priority for Swindon residents.
