💬 Leanne Stevenson – Protecting Nature, Strengthening Communities, and Speaking Up for Residents

September 2025 update

From tree safety to allotment protection, focused on safeguarding green spaces and holding Swindon Borough Council to account.

Got a local issue or concern? I’m always happy to help. 👇

September highlighted Leanne’s strong focus on environmental protection, resident safety, and accountability. Her work this month has combined practical action on the ground with continued pressure on Swindon Borough Council to improve standards and protect community assets.

🔵 Trees, Safety, and Biodiversity

Early in the month, Leanne reported a fallen tree behind Ray Close (SN25) after hearing from residents. She shared advice on spotting and reporting tree concerns such as leaning branches, decay, or heavy crops to the right authority, Haydon Wick Parish Council, Swindon Borough Council, or private landowners.

She continued to lead on biodiversity and safety, raising the alarm over the delayed hay cut at Seven Fields, which risks harming wildlife. She also questioned Swindon Borough Council’s tree inspection standards following recent safety incidents and called for a more proactive management plan.

Leanne thanked the Swindon Advertiser for their reporting on local tree safety and used this as an opportunity to raise awareness about ash dieback and the need for regular surveys and responsible coppicing to prevent danger.

🔵 Allotments and Community Campaigns

Leanne’s campaign to protect Swindon’s allotments continued to gain momentum. The petition, which calls for permanent protection in the Swindon Local Plan, has reached more residents this month and continues to attract growing support.

She reminds residents that this campaign is for everyone, not just allotment holders. Allotments improve biodiversity, food security, and wellbeing across the community, and their protection benefits all residents.

Residents can still sign the petition here:

https://form.jotform.com/252236283583359

Leanne also promoted Aldi UK’s Allotment Competition, celebrating community plots, and worked with fellow councillors to highlight the importance of green spaces as essential community assets, not land for development.

Following from Swindon Council Full Council meeting on 26 September, she condemned Labour councillors’ decision not to support protections for allotments and thanked Conservative councillors who voted in favour. Her message to residents remains clear – the campaign to protect green spaces is far from over.

🔵 Environmental Education and Community Awareness

Leanne shared results from the Big Butterfly Count, recording findings from Seven Fields, Mouldon Hill, and her own allotment. Working alongside Jake Chandler, she explained the importance of biodiversity corridors and stronger environmental protections in local planning policy.

She also promoted the Big Insect Rescue Plan, encouraging residents to take part in pollinator-friendly activities and learn how small changes, such as planting wildflowers, can make a big impact.

Through her updates, Leanne continues to inspire residents to take part in conservation and understand how local actions feed into national data.

🔵 Nature, Heritage and Family Events

Leanne attended the Heritage Open Day at St Andrew’s Church, Blunsdon, learning more about the site’s history and its importance to local heritage. She also joined the St Andrew’s Ridge Bat Walk with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, engaging families in nighttime conservation and encouraging curiosity about local wildlife.

Events like these help strengthen community spirit while building understanding of Swindon’s natural and cultural environment.

🔵 Mental Health, Safety and Wellbeing

Marking World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September), Leanne shared her support for The Kelly Foundation and linked her experience from Army service and mental-health first-aid training to the need for early, open conversations about mental health.

On Emergency Services Day (24 September), she paid tribute to police, fire, ambulance, and hospital staff. Leanne also highlighted how parish initiatives including defibrillators and bleed kits continue to save lives and support local safety.

🔵 Leadership and Youth Support

Leanne announced her appointment as a Trustee for the 7th Swindon Scouts, helping to ensure the group remains well-run and accessible. This strengthens youth provision locally and supports young people in developing practical skills, teamwork, and confidence.

🔵 Local Plan and Infrastructure

Throughout the month, Leanne ran a clear campaign explaining why the Swindon Local Plan matters. She published several updates on roads, congestion, schools, and healthcare, calling for an “Infrastructure First” approach – where new homes are only approved once proper services are in place.

Her posts helped residents understand how local development affects daily life, from traffic and parking to classroom sizes and GP access. Leanne continues to push for balanced, sustainable growth that protects green spaces and ensures the right infrastructure is delivered up front.

🔵 River Ray and Environmental Awareness

Leanne and Vinay Manro marked World Rivers Day (29 September) by raising awareness of the River Ray’s pollution history and restoration needs. Together they called for more planting, restoration, and public reporting of pollution incidents, supported by BBC coverage of the 2022 spill.

The River Ray remains a vital biodiversity corridor, and their joint message reinforced the need to treat local rivers as community priorities, not forgotten waterways.

🔵 Recycling and Sustainability

During Recycle Week (27 September), Leanne shared Swindon Borough Council figures showing how much recyclable waste still ends up in general rubbish. She encouraged simple, practical steps – recycling properly, reusing items, and cutting waste – to save money and help the environment.

🔵 Parish and Council Engagement

Leanne submitted a series of formal questions to Swindon Borough Council to hold them to account on tree safety, maintenance standards, environmental management and SEN Transport.

Leanne submitted formal questions to Swindon Borough Council about tree safety, inspection standards, and environmental management. By publishing questions and responses, she ensures transparency and builds confidence that resident concerns are being heard.

She also continued to share parish updates on grass cutting, shrub maintenance, and autumn projects, showing where parish resources are being used and how the council remains committed to high standards of care.

🔵 Looking Ahead

As autumn begins, Leanne will continue to:

• Protect allotments, biodiversity, and open spaces.

• Ensure infrastructure is delivered before new housing.

• Push Swindon Borough Council to improve tree safety and environmental standards.

• Support youth and community volunteering through the 7th Swindon Scouts.

• Keep residents informed through clear, accessible updates.

Leanne continues to show that strong community leadership means listening to residents, protecting what matters, and taking action for a safer, greener Swindon.

➡️ Read the full team update: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1114718064170798&id=100068978447191

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