A fresh start for Melksham as it’s all change on town council

MELKSHAM Town Council underwent a huge shake up last week as local people voted in a majority of new faces to take charge.

Of the six sitting councillors who were standing for re-election, only two were successful – cllr Jon Hubbard, who stood as a Together for Melksham candidate; and current mayor, cllr Pat Aves, who ran as a Liberal Democrat. 

Former leader of the town council, Vanessa Fiorelli, lost her seat and also missed out in a bid to win a seat on Wiltshire Council. Deputy mayor Geoff Mitcham also lost his seat.

The Together for Melksham team – the new group of independents that campaigned for election with the slogan “a fresh start for Melksham” – won the majority of seats on the council, winning eight of the 15 seats up for grabs.

The Conservatives won five seats; the Liberal Democrats won one seat; and Independents won one seat.

The new Melksham town councillors are: Together for Melksham – Colin Goodhind, Carl Houghton, Jon Hubbard, Louisa Lewis, Sue Mortimer, Jack Oatley, Tom Price and Saffi Rabey; Conservative –  Phil Alford, Gary Cooke, Jacqui Crundell, Simon Crundell and Claire Forgacs; Independent – Graham Ellis; and Liberal Democrats – Pat Aves.

In the Wiltshire Council elections, a surprise result saw young Independent candidate, Jack Oatley, beat Mayor Pat Aves in the Melksham Forest division. At 24, he becomes the youngest member of Wiltshire Council. Fellow Independent Jon Hubbard was re-elected in Melksham South while the Conservatives won the remaining four Melksham seats, with Phil Alford, Nick Holder and Jonathon Seed retaining their seats, and former town councillor Mike Sankey winning the seat in Melksham East.  

Overall, the Conservatives have retained control of Wiltshire Council, with 61 seats (down one); the Liberal Democrats have 27 seats (up six); Independent councillors hold 7 seats (down 4); and Labour has 3 seats (no change).

Down to business

Celebrating their success at Melksham Town Council, cllr Jon Hubbard on behalf of the Together for Melksham team said, “The whole team at Together for Melksham would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported us in last week’s elections. 

“To have won eight seats on the council is a phenomenal achievement and we are so grateful for all of the support and kind words during the campaign.  We are now getting down to business and look forward to working closely with all of the councillors elected to the town council and Melksham Area Board to deliver for our wonderful town.”

Returning councillor and current mayor, cllr Pat Aves said, “I am pleased to be able to serve another four years on Melksham Town Council, and thank you to all those who voted for me. I will continue to support finishing the improvements to the park; the restored mosaic, the sensory garden and the installation of the doggy agility area.

“I will also support the re-opening of our much valued and highly prized Assembly Hall, as soon as conditions allow.  This prestigious venue is the heart of the town.”

On behalf of the five Conservative town councillors, Cllr Simon Crundell said, “We are delighted to have returned more Conservative councillors to Melksham Town Council. The real work starts now, and we will work hard to repay the trust that Melksham has placed in us.

“Recently, local politics has been too divisive and driven by political dogma. We have always opposed this attitude and are very much looking forward to working constructively with the other town councillors.

“This is a very exciting time for Melksham and your local Conservative team will work with our MP Michelle Donelan, Wiltshire Council, and most importantly our local community to secure the bright, united, and prosperous future that Melksham deserves post-Covid. We look forward to getting to work!”

Wiltshire Council

Melksham’s representatives on Wiltshire Council also thanked the local electorate for giving their votes.

Cllr Jack Oatley said, “Thank you to everyone that voted for me – it’s a good feeling to know that the people of Melksham Forest believe in me, and that my age was not a factor.

“I am looking forward to the challenges ahead and bringing a younger perspective to Wiltshire Council. I hope to make a difference and get Melksham ‘heard’ at county level – especially on planning issues.”

Cllr Mike Sankey said, “I am delighted to have been elected to represent Melksham East as a member of Wiltshire Council. My thanks go to friends and family for all their help, my fellow candidates for a civilised campaign, and all those who voted regardless of whom they voted for. I look forward to being of service for the next four years.”

Cllr Jon Hubbard said, “It is a real honour to have been returned for a fourth term as the councillor for Melksham South. 

“I look forward to continuing my work on the council and fighting hard for our community. My immediate priorities will be to monitor and work with the campus team to ensure the development is completed on time and in budget, and work with the area board to rebuild the relationship with the town council and ensure that the town gets the investment and support it deserves. 

“I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported me and just say that now the election is over, it matters not how (or even if) you voted, I am always available to help where I can.”

Cllr Phil Alford said, “I am so pleased to have been given the opportunity to represent the people of Melksham North, Whitley, Shaw, Beanacre and Woodrow again. 

“I am very privileged to have such a strong connection to both Melksham and Melksham Without and I have always felt at home as part of both. 

“As the Wiltshire Councillor I will work to put our priorities centre stage of the Wiltshire Council agenda for the next four years, that will involve making housing work for us, controlling its scale, improving roads and pushing our economic needs, whilst looking to enrich the environment around us.”

Cllr Nick Holder said, “Firstly, may I thank everyone who voted in the Bowerhill Division last week, I am delighted to have been re-elected as your Wiltshire Councillor. 

“I was so pleased to have had such a large vote share and so many of you have put your trust in me. I spent a few hours on election day at the village hall, thanking voters for coming out to vote. (Fortunately, it was quite a sunny day!) It was great to be able to talk with hundreds of residents and to watch our precious democracy in action. 

“This experience reinforced what a vibrant place Bowerhill is, with clear identity and fabulous community spirit and I am proud to represent you.”

Melksham Without Parish Council

There were no elections for  Melksham Without Parish Council as there were not enough candidates to fill its seats. 

The council is now inviting applications for co-option for three vacancies (one in the Beanacre, Shaw, Whitley and Blackmore Ward and two in the Bowerhill Ward).

Wiltshire Council election results were as follows:

Melksham East division: Ryan Clarke (Independent) – 67; Vanessa Fiorelli (Independent) – 88; Louisa Lewis (Independent) – 192; Mike Sankey (Conservative) (elected) – 335; Nigel White (Liberal Democrats) – 219.

Melksham Without North & Shurnhold division: Phil Alford (Conservative) (elected) – 890; Kevin Cottrell (Liberal Democrats) – 263; Saffi Rabey (Independent) – 232.

Bowerhill division: Malcolm Hewson (Liberal Democrats) – 253; Nick Holder (Conservative) (elected) – 799.

Melksham South division: Jacqui Crundell (Conservative) – 429; Dominic Francocci (Green Party) – 100; Jon Hubbard (Independent) (elected) – 670; Terri Welch (Liberal Democrat) – 173.

Melksham Forest division: Pat Aves (Liberal Democrat) – 397; Claire Forgacs (Conservative) – 375; Jack Oatley (Independent) (elected) – 519.

Results of the town council elections – candidates in bold have been elected to council.

Melksham East: Simon Crundell (Conservative) 340; Louisa Lewis (Together for Melksham) 495; Ryan Clarke (Independent) 326; Gary Cooke (Conservative) 363; Carl Houghton (Together for Melksham) 374; Vanessa Fiorelli (Independent) 309.

Melksham South: Jacqui Crundell (Conservative) 509; Graham Ellis (Independent) 566; Colin Goodhind (Together for Melksham) 555; Jon Hubbard (Together for Melksham) 805; Steven Plummer (Independent) 236; Terri Welch 340; Amy Whitlock (Together for Melksham) 444.

Melksham Forest: Pat Aves (Liberal Democrats) 500; Claire Forgacs (Conservative) 432; Geoff Mitcham (Independent) 358; Jack Oatley (Together for Melksham) 689; Tom Price (Together for Melksham) 477; Sue Mortimer (Together for Melksham) 495.

Melksham North: Phil Alford (Conservative) 362; Saffi Rabey (Together for Melksham) 268; Richard Wiltshire (Conservative) 233; Elizabeth Turner (Independent) 180.