Melksham councillor Jon Hubbard has taken on a key role in Wiltshire Council’s new cabinet, becoming Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.
His appointment makes him the only Independent councillor at the top table of the council’s leadership.
The new cabinet was formed after Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Thorn was narrowly elected leader on 20th May, following local elections on 1st May in which the party won the largest number of seats.
Cllr Hubbard, who has a long-standing background in supporting young people, said he is proud to take on the role.
“I am delighted to have been appointed as Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Wiltshire Council and look forward to getting stuck into this vital role that sits at the heart of our community’s future.
“Children’s services across the country face unprecedented challenges, from rising demand for social care support to increasing complexity of cases, alongside sustained pressure on local authority budgets. In Wiltshire, like councils nationwide, we are seeing challenging caseloads for social workers, increased costs for placements, and growing needs around mental health support for young people and families.
“Despite these challenges, I am energised by the opportunity to make a real difference. My immediate priorities include working closely with our dedicated children’s services teams to understand current pressures and identify where targeted investment could have the greatest impact. This might include expanding our early intervention services to prevent family breakdown, investing in additional social worker capacity to manage caseloads effectively, or developing innovative partnerships with local organisations to provide wraparound support for vulnerable families.
“I am particularly keen to explore how we can strengthen our preventative services, which evidence shows can reduce long-term costs while delivering better outcomes for children. This could include enhanced family support hubs, expanded youth services, or additional mental health resources – all investments that, while requiring upfront funding, can significantly reduce the need for more expensive interventions later.
“As a long-standing member of the Melksham community, this cabinet role gives me an even stronger platform to fight for our town’s interests within the council. While I cannot and will not redirect children’s services spending inappropriately, I am absolutely committed to ensuring Melksham gets its fair share of resources and investment. Our children and families deserve the same quality of services and opportunities available elsewhere in Wiltshire, and I will use my position to make sure their voices are heard at the highest levels of decision-making. Being part of the cabinet will also enable me to work more closely with colleagues across all portfolios to identify opportunities where our shared priorities can benefit Melksham families.”
Cllr Hubbard brings significant experience to the role, having served as chair of Wiltshire Council’s Children’s Select Committee from 2013 to 2025. He founded youth charity 4Youth (South West) in 2011, has served as vice-chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People’s Board since 2023, and is a trustee of the National Youth Agency.
He added, “The work ahead is demanding, but I am committed to advocating for the resources and innovative approaches our children’s services need to thrive.”
Pictured: Cllr Jon Hubbard
