Jim Robbins

What was the excuse?

Well done to @swindoncouncil.bsky.social for launch of ‘Heart of Swindon’ prospectus. Speeches from public/private sector leaders incl @jimrobbins.bsky.social @willstonemp.bsky.social @heidialexander.bsky.social

Good to catch up with James Coulstock and discuss all things @vistrygroup.bsky.social.

Great!

Amazing news

Absolutely delighted that Swindon Borough Council has been shortlisted for the Local Government Chronicle ‘Most Improved Council’ in their 2025 awards.

A real testament to the amazing work of Council officers to get behind the Labour administration and help us to #BuildABetterSwindon

Had a great time with @coopcouncils.bsky.social at their annual conference in Greenwich! Brilliant conversations, outstanding speakers and a real desire to support the Govt missions! #IYC20205

Delighted to travel to Woolwich today to take part in the @coopcouncils.bsky.social AGM & Conference. It's essential that Cllrs from all over the country contribute to the direction of travel & I'm honoured to represent District Councils (& opposition groups) UK wide on the Exec Board.

Busy week in Swindon, meeting with the MP’s offices, Arval-a key local employer, a @coopcouncils.bsky.social board meeting, Children’s Improvement Board, planted a tree on Fleming Way, attended a devolution meeting with partners in the Thames Valley and spoke at an online @coopparty.party.coop conf!

Really enjoyed speaking and setting out what we have been doing in Swindon. Great to hear from Tom in Bristol and Kate in Cornwall about their experiences…

This morning is the @coopparty.party.coop's South West conference. Looking forward to speaking with @jimrobbins.bsky.social, @tomrenhard.bsky.social, @lukepollard.bsky.social, about how they are putting co-op ideas into action!

It's all online so you can join in too!

Dear Ms Truss,

Please send me a similar legal letter and I will be glad to repeat the allegation without Parliamentary Privilege.

Really good to hear this is back in #Swindon in a few weeks and will be sponsored again by @ukri.org among others.
Looking forward to seeing the full programme

Liz Truss @trussliz In DC. The new @realDonaldTrump term can't come soon enough. The West needs it. 1:16 PM · Jan 17, 2025 · 74.8K Views

Can we send her a cease and desist letter, for reputational damage, on behalf of the country?

£60 million boost for creative industries to turbocharge growth Hundreds of creative businesses and projects across the UK are to receive government funding to help them grow as part of a major boost to the economy – marking the first step of the Government's Sect...

Really delighted to see this announcement of £60m for the Creative Industries through DCMS and @ukri.org. The creative industries are such a key contributor to the economy, with huge potential not only for growth but real social impact, so this is really encouraging to see www.gov.uk/government/n...

Slide by @toderianUW.bsky.social saying “Adding car lanes to deal with traffic congestion is like loosening your belt to cure obesity.“ – Lewis Mumford, 1955

It's a goal of mine to help make this the most famous, well-known and UNDERSTOOD quote about cities in history. Please share it as much as you can. #InducedDemand

I do kind of admire 'it's wrong to means-test the winter fuel allowance'....four hours later...'we should look at means-testing the triple lock'.

"From a Tory voter in a Labour seat." Ouch.

I never felt more like singing the Blues,
When Leicester, Everton & Wolves all lose!
Oh Ipswich, you got me singing the Blues
💙⚽ 💙⚽

Andrew Norfolk is the former Times journalist whose work brought the grooming gang scandal to public attention...

A real public servant, who’s spent a lifetime protecting women and girls.

snow white is drinking coffee from a coffee pot ALT: snow white is drinking coffee from a coffee pot

Much coffee.

@bertsbooks.bsky.social any chance you could get me a copy of @grahamallcott.bsky.social’s book Kind? Cheers!

Lots accomplished in our first 18 months as the new #Labour Swindon Borough Council Administration, loads more to do and lots planned for 2025!
Particularly excited that the Lyndhurst Centre -a new youth/ family centre -will open this year in the Park North area I represent

Will 2025 be the year Swindon starts to see some real change? According to the council it will be the launch of a fairer, better and greener town

Great to see a positive story about Swindon Council to start the year off!

open.substack.com/pub/theinksw...

We know that we still have plenty of challenges but we are making progress and are determined to address the big issues facing Swindon!

Hoping to make more progress in 2025!

I understand the sentiment behind dry January, but if you don't want to commit to this, I've an alternative.
Pub January, where you stop in at your local hostelry, have a drink and support a sector that is in danger of shrinking into obscurity, and with it a large of part of our heritage.

Two iconic pictures from Ipswich’s outstanding win against Chelsea tonight… #itfc

Omari Hutchinson of Ipswich Town in his blue and white home strip on the Portman Road pitch during a 2-0 win against Chelsea in which he scored.

Get in! A home win at last and a clean sheet. Uppa Town! #ITFC

🎉 Ipswich Town record their first home win of the season as they beat Enzo Maresca's Chelsea 2-0.

Liam Delap scored from the penalty spot, before Omari Hutchinson added against his former club […]

[Original post on coracle.social]

Tbf you could make “reversing stupid Pickles rules” a whole section of the devo white paper with great success I would have thought.

The good news about bees: Why they're returning to British gardens Thanks to a combination of efforts by beekeepers, better farming practices and reduced pesticide use, populations are showing signs of recovery

A rare actual good news story: bees – both honey bees and wild bees – seem to be doing better in the UK.

Bee-friendly planting, less pesticide use and an uptick in beekeeping are all having results 🐝 🎉 inews.co.uk/inews-lifest...