The Liberal Democrat group is set to gain control of Melksham Town Council after the town council elections on 1st May, following the release of the official list of candidates
An election will take place in only one ward – Melksham North – after the number of candidates standing in the remaining wards did not exceed the number of available seats. As a result, the other seats will be filled unopposed.
Of the candidates elected unopposed, seven are from the Liberal Democrat group, two from the Conservative party and one is an Independent.
This marks a shift in the political makeup of the council. At the last elections in May 2021, the Together for Melksham group held a majority, which was later succeeded by the Conservative group during the council term.
More recently, following successful by-election wins, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives were left with an equal split of control.
With the Liberal Democrats now set to hold the most seats, they will gain control of the council when it reconvenes after the election.
Cllr Jennie Westbrook, Leader of Melksham Town Council Liberal Democrats, said, “We’re absolutely delighted to be elected and grateful for the ongoing support of our community. This result gives us the chance to continue building on the strong foundations we’ve laid over the past 18 months.
“The last time the Liberal Democrats held the majority, we delivered real improvements for Melksham – including the much-loved splashpad – and we’re ready to do even more. We believe in working with everyone on the council to get the best for our town, and we’re especially committed to deepening our work with local community groups to ensure Melksham continues to grow, thrive and be a place we’re all proud to call home.”
Pictured: Melksham Liberal Democrats with leader Sir Ed Davey
![Police reassure public over reports of children being followed
Melksham police have reassured residents that there has not been a rise in reports of children being followed in the area, following concerns raised on social media.
At the full town council meeting on Monday 31st March, police sergeant Gemma Rutter addressed the issue, explaining that the reports of children being followed had spread across towns following similar abduction attempts reported in Chippenham.
“We don’t have lots of people following children everywhere,” Sergeant Rutter explained. “It was really interesting to see; you could watch it on social media going from town to town as that news [about Chippenham] spread.
“We did have one person arrested in Chippenham, so there were proactive patrols carried out there.”
Pictured: Sergeant Gemma Rutter
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.](https://scontent-lhr8-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/489860114_18031142882647822_718827503572374099_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=8cSGYd1UwPIQ7kNvwHxRRX7&_nc_oc=Adk-wgb57gJKcH-D7AAY9jLI6BRzPa2lm4TCLFpoy79B81w2xuEwlZIRxxun908YbM0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=FVOLRa-elq2FzsnBfPK_KA&oh=00_AfEl63au9jbmN_cldqf9bhY6SA2v3B6Q-9mJQwlHoUiBAg&oe=680016BB "Police reassure public over reports of children being followed
Melksham police have reassured residents that there has not been a rise in reports of children being followed in the area, following concerns raised on social media.
At the full town council meeting on Monday 31st March, police sergeant Gemma Rutter addressed the issue, explaining that the reports of children being followed had spread across towns following similar abduction attempts reported in Chippenham.
“We don’t have lots of people following children everywhere,” Sergeant Rutter explained. “It was really interesting to see; you could watch it on social media going from town to town as that news [about Chippenham] spread.
“We did have one person arrested in Chippenham, so there were proactive patrols carried out there.”
Pictured: Sergeant Gemma Rutter
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.")
