Council reverses policy one year on from censorship

A year after Wiltshire Council sparked national criticism by cutting communication with the Melksham News, the Liberal Democrat administration has altered the policy at the centre of the row.

The council has confirmed that free newspapers can now also be used to advertise permanent but not temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), the legal notices used to make changes to roads, parking and speed limits. The change follows the party’s victory in May’s local elections, which ended Conservative control of County Hall.

In October last year, Melksham News published an article criticising the council’s practice of only advertising notices in paid-for newspapers, which was widely seen as limiting access to important public information. The article prompted the council to cut all communication with the newspaper, a decision it reversed 59 days later.

Council leader Cllr Ian Thorn said the move to now include free newspapers reflects the Liberal Democrat administration’s commitment to stronger engagement with local communities.

Cllr Thorn said, “As the new administration of Wiltshire Council, we are committed to moving forward positively, with a clear focus on delivering for communities through practical action and meaningful engagement.

“This is a key part of our new Our Wiltshire Plan, which places engagement at the heart of everything we do.

“As part of this approach, we have reviewed our processes for advertising traffic regulation orders (TROs), ensuring they are both compliant with statutory requirements and accessible, while also reflecting the needs of local residents.”

Cllr Jon Hubbard said, “I’m delighted that Wiltshire Council has made this decision. This is a real victory for transparency and local democracy. Thousands of Melksham residents read their local paper every week – people who might never have seen these statutory notices buried on council websites or in regional publications with a smaller readership.

“While timing won’t always allow for every notice to appear in the local paper, this policy change means that when it does work, residents will be properly informed about Traffic Regulation Orders and other important matters that directly affect their lives.

“I’ve been campaigning for this change because it made common sense – if we want residents to engage with local democracy, we need to meet them where they are. Our local newspaper does exactly that.

“Equally important, this decision supports a Wiltshire-based, family-owned business that serves our communities day in and day out. When we can better serve residents while supporting local enterprise, that’s good policy. I’m pleased the council has recognised this, and I look forward to seeing these notices reaching a wider audience wherever possible.”

Joe McCann, operations manager at Wiltshire Publications, the parent company of the Melksham News, said, “We welcome Wiltshire Council’s decision to allow free newspapers to carry permanent TROs, which is a step in the right direction for transparency, access to information and fairness and parity across news publications in Wiltshire. We have, however, raised questions about why free publications can’t also be considered for temporary TROs where timescales permit.”

Melksham News asked whether any investigation was carried out into the original decision to cease engagement with the paper and its sister publication the White Horse News.

In response, the new administration has indicated it wants to ‘move forward positively’ and build a better working relationship with the local press.

Cllr Thorn added, “Looking forward, we want to have a positive relationship with Wiltshire Publications, as we recognise the vital role they play in helping us inform our residents and reach our communities, while also holding us to account.”

Pictured: Cllr Ian Thorn and Cllr Jon Hubbard outside County Hall