Swindon community centre could be renamed after beloved councillor

St Andrews Parish Council has unanimously agreed to begin the process of renaming Redhouse Community Centre in honour of Vera Tomlinson, a long-serving councillor who died in January; final approval must be given by Swindon Borough Council.

St Andrews Parish Council has unanimously agreed to begin a lasting tribute to Vera Tomlinson, who died in January aged 83. The council proposes renaming Redhouse Community Centre to The Vera Tomlinson Redhouse Community Centre and hopes to commission a plaque for the building. Mrs Tomlinson was a founder of St Andrews Parish Council and served as a borough and parish councillor until she stepped down in 2021. The parish holds a lease on the community centre and is seeking formal sign-off from Swindon Borough Council. Key details: - The Full Council meeting on 11 February agreed unanimously to begin the tribute process. - The proposal is to rename Redhouse Community Centre as The Vera Tomlinson Redhouse Community Centre and to place a commemorative plaque inside. - Vera Tomlinson died in January at age 83; she was first elected as a borough councillor for Abbey Meads in 2008 and later represented St Andrews until 2021. - St Andrews Parish Council played a key role in opening the community centre and in transferring control of the building to the parish. - The parish leases the building from Swindon Borough Council and a formal name change requires the borough's approval; Councillor Kevin Small said he would ask property officers to inform the parish council of the borough's consent unless a legal reason prevents it. Summary: The parish council has started a formal process to honour Vera Tomlinson by proposing a new name for the Redhouse Community Centre and commissioning a plaque. Swindon Borough Council must give formal approval because the borough holds the building's lease. Property officers are expected to be asked to confirm consent and no final decision has been announced.