RESIDENTS are being asked for their say on a proposal that Melksham’s two councils should be merged, to create one unified council.
A public survey from Wiltshire Council is running until 26th February on the proposal, which it received as part of its ongoing Community Governance Review changes.
If Melksham Town Council and Melksham Without Parish Council are to merge, two options have been proposed – the abolition of the town council and parish council, creating one larger council in their place; or a merger of the two councils excluding Shaw and Whitley, who would form a new parish council.
A series of public meeting dates have also been confirmed for people to find out more about the proposals.
The Melksham Without public meeting has already been held on 22nd January at Bowerhill Village Hall, (Wiltshire Council’s press release was sent to Melksham News too late for publicity).
The Melksham meeting will be held on Friday 14th February at the Assembly Hall, Melksham, 6pm – 7.30pm.
Proposals made by Melksham Without Parish Council are also part of the governance review – they have suggested that the 100 dwellings at Sandridge Place and the 450 dwellings that will be built in the east of Melksham should be transferred to the town. They also want the BRAG canal picnic area to be transferred from the parish of Seend to Melksham Without.
The review is to ensure that town and parish councils continue to be reflective of the identity and interest of local communities, and that they are as efficient and effective as can be in their governance.
Cllr Richard Clewer, chairman of the electoral review committee of Wiltshire Council, said “The committee has received many proposed changes to the parishes included in this review. Before draft recommendations are formulated we would like to know what residents and other members of the public feel about the proposed changes, and encourage as many people as possible to respond to this survey and attend the public meetings.”
The survey and further information about the proposals, including which areas are being surveyed, can be found at www. wiltshire.gov.uk/council-democracy-cgr
