Swindon Borough Council provides a wide range of services to the local business community. The main business services are listed below in alphabetical order with a contact name and telephone number for each service.

For details of other council services not included, please contact the Customer Services department on 01793 463725. For further information on local amenities, travel and public utilities, please contact the Council's Visitor Information Centre on 01793 530328.

Building Control

The Building Control Section has a necessary enforcement function and one of its main roles is to guide businesses within the Borough through the Building Regulations legislation when building works or internal layout alterations are planned.

Telephone: 01793 466069

Central Library

A range of sources including business, legal and European information, foreign dictionaries, maps, atlases and technical information is held at the Central Library (www.swindon.gov.uk/libraries-central) to support local business.

In addition Swindon Libraries sponsor a co-operative information network for businesses across Swindon and Wiltshire - WILCO (Wiltshire Libraries in Cooperation) www.wilco.org.uk

Emergency Planning

Advice on business continuity plans, contingency plans and emergency planning procedures.

Telephone: 01793 464871

Enterprise Works

Enterprise Works is an ISO9001-registered business, which provides a sub-contract assembly and packaging service to local industry.  Timber products such as sheds and fencing can also be supplied.

Telephone: 01793 616288

Environmental Protection

The Environmental Protection Team can provide advice on industrial processes, which need to be authorised under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Telephone: 01793 466106

Forward Planning

The Forward Planning Group is responsible for the preparation, implementation and review of the Development Plans and planning policies for Swindon and working with other organisations to this end. In Swindon Borough the Development Plan consists of:

The Swindon Borough Local Plan

The Wiltshire & Swindon Structure Plan

The Wiltshire and Swindon Minerals Local Plan

The Wiltshire & Swindon Waste Local Plan

The Structure Plan, Minerals and Waste Local Plans are produced jointly with Wiltshire County Council.

Under the new planning regulations the Swindon Borough Local Plan will be replaced by the Swindon Borough Local Development Framework.

Contact:Tel (01793) 466513

E-mail forwardplanning@swindon.gov.uk

inSwindon

inSwindon is the innovative independent management company for the Swindon Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID). The company is dedicated to improving the wider economic outlook for the town centre, in terms of sustainable business growth to match the physical growth and of having a vision for Swindon town centre in the 21st Century.

Contact:  01793 464994

Licensing

The Licensing Officer provides advice and deals with all applications for entertainment licenses, house to house collections, street collections, fireworks, petroleum, ear piercing, Sunday trading and the varied range of animal licenses.

Telephone: 01793 466109

Planning Permission and Development Control

The Development Control Group deals with planning and related applications, the enforcement of planning control and any new appeals arising from either activity.

Telephone: 01793 466284

Rates

Information on business rates is available from the council's Finance and Property Services Department.

Telephone: 01793 464663

Swindon Sure Start Partnership

Swindon Sure Start Partnership works with childcare providers in Swindon including nurseries, out of school groups and childminders. Services include a training and recruitment helpline, small business support and start up grants to create new childcare places.

Website: www.earlyyearschildcare.org

Telephone: 01793 466491

Swindon Services

Swindon Services is Swindon Borough Council's direct labour organisation, providing a wide range of services including building maintenance, catering for functions, cleaning of buildings, footpath and road works, grounds and tree maintenance, PVC window supply and installation, and trade waste skip hire for commercial waste.

Telephone: 01793 463463

Trading Standards

The Trading Standards Team is responsible for enforcing a wide range of legislation relating to consumer goods and services addressing fair-trading, product safety and metrology (weighing and measuring equipment) and petroleum safety. The team provides comprehensive advice on how to comply with trading standards requirements free of charge.

Telephone: 01793 466155

Transportation Services

The Transportation Services Division is responsible for discharging the council's statutory functions as a Highway Authority. The three main functions are traffic management and road safety, highway management and transport planning.

Telephone: 01793 466373

Travelwise

The Council aims to reduce dependence on the car by promoting changes in travel, lifestyle and working practices, offering advice to local companies to help to develop green travel plans.

Telephone: 01793 466392

Waste Minimisation

The borough council's Recycling Officer can provide your company with a list of local and national contacts to help minimise waste and thereby reduce costs. Basic information is also available on the relevant legislation in the UK and Europe.

Telephone: 01793 464536