Current Status
In 2010 and 2011 the parish managed to reduce its precept (Tax raised by Parishes to fund local community projects and services) while still maintaining all its local community services, allotments, cemeteries, leisure centre, community centre, eight recreation grounds and four open spaces.
2011 Delamere Drive Recreation Ground was updated after consultation with local residents and children; and Street Billiards{new style ball game} was added to Greenbridge MUGGA.{MUGGA = Small fenced off ball play area} The Stratton Centre run by the council raised about £1,500 for 'Children in Need'.
2012 Parish reduces its precept by 4.23%, this is a reduction of £7 since 2010. The programme of bulb planting with local schools and tree planting with Wiltshire Community Forests continued. A new play area has been installed at Coleview. The Queens Diamond Jubilee was celebrated by an inter-schools 'Its-A-Knockout' competition hosted by the parish and all under 11 school children received a Diamond Jubilee Mug. The Christmas Extravaganza was attended by 1,300 residents to see the christmas light switch-on by the Geni from Alladin panto, Carols sung by local schoolchildren, Father Xmas and his reindeer.
2013 Parish's greatest challenge yet as Swindon Borough decide not to pass on Council Tax Support Scheme monies from Central Government even though they have a moral obligation to do so. Even though this will cost the Parish around £86k equivalent to a 10% cut the parish is only to increase it's precept by 2.5% or 5p a week. The Parish's next major projects are to install a War Memorial before the 100th Anniversary of start of WWI, and an Allweather pitch at Stratton Community centre. This year will also see the return of the 'Stratton Festival' in July with support from local businesses, churches, clubs and schools.
Read more about this topic: Stratton St Margaret
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