Melksham Town Council election

Melksham south (seats: 5)

Andy Hinchcliffe – Liberal Democrat

I have been a Town Councillor for the last four years. I am Vice Chair on the Planning Committee and on the Policy and Resources Committee where my area of specialism is how the finances of the town are managed and audited. I have been part of the team preparing the Neighbourhood Plan where I have been particularly involved with Housing Policy and the provision of the infrastructure to support future developments. I assist with the operational and strategic planning for the Assembly Hall and will hopefully be very involved in its future.

I volunteer with regular litter picks as part of the Town Team and with the Queensway Community Group. I like to see the town looking its best.

Jon Hubbard – Liberal Democrat

I have been a town councillor since 2008 and I am well known for the work I have undertaken in the community. From the championing of issues relating to children and young people to my work to get the grass cut in the cemetery and parks, I am known as a passionate campaigner for the local area.

I have spoken out many times on the problems with litter in our town and have taken positive action to increase the schedule of grass cutting as well as playing a leading part in the campaign to get the parks transferred back to Melksham Town Council.

If re-elected I vow to continue to fight for all of those in the community, especially those whose voice is often not heard. I have an enviable track record of hard work as a councillor and I promise action not words if re-elected.

Anna Inns – Melksham First

I and my husband Brian moved recently to New Lawns to join our family; we have three grown up sons and three teenage grandchildren living in Melksham. We started a residential management agency in Surrey in 1987, on retiring after 28 years we managed 122 properties. I have a background in finance and Brian in local government.

Having moved to Melksham we were pleasantly surprised at the number of leisure facilities available locally, particularly sport. I know that to remain active and to have an active mind is beneficial to the well being of all age groups, the new skateboard park for our youngsters and the Wilts & Berks Canal for all ages. I would like to get involved after May 4th, taking positive action helping Melksham’s sporting and leisure activity volunteers placing the interests of Melksham First.

Bruce Petty – Melksham First

I have always lived in Melksham, with my wife and we have two children and four grandchildren all in Melksham. I worked as a senior building services charge hand for Avon Tyres Plc over 47 years, being  in the company’s fire service and the County Brigade for 27 of those years. I was also Chairman of Melksham House Social Club for many years and Chairman of the Cooper Avon Caravan and Camping Club. My hobby and great skills are gardening, I am a member of the very successful Melksham in Bloom Committee. I have attended Town Council meetings for the last four years and would like to offer my skills and experience as a councillor after May 4th placing the interests of Melksham First.

Mike Sankey – Conservative

I have been a member of Melksham Without Parish council for over ten years,  During that time I have served as a trustee of Melksham charities, who, in addition to supporting local groups, look after and administer the Almshouses opposite the Avon rubber factory.  I have also been a member of the shadow community operations board working to consult and advise on the long overdue Melksham Campus.  Melksham is a great town with lots to offer and lots of potential.  I think there is a lot more development likely in and around Melksham, and as I have a keen interest in local planning, I hope to be elected to Wiltshire Council so I can help ensure that any future development  delivers the necessary infrastructure, (roads, Doctors, schools etc), to support new and existing residents alike.  I am keen to listen to and deliver the aspirations that all residents have for our great town.

Tony Watts – Liberal Democrat

I moved to Melksham from London more than a decade ago and was a Chartered Surveyor for over 25 years. I have a son with special needs and I am passionate about improving support and services for SEN children, their parents and carers. I would like to see local people being in control of more of their own services, with the Town Council taking on the task of running the car parks and grass cutting.

Adrienne Westbrook – Liberal Democrat

I was elected as a Melksham Councillor 25 years ago, and I have been  a former Mayor and Deputy Mayor. I am currently Chair of Policy and Resources. I am passionate about improving Melksham.  I was instrumental in getting money put aside for the Town Centre improvements, through the 5 Towns Initiative enabling the Town Council to add to the Wiltshire Council scheme and produce a really dynamic open space in the marketplace.

I believe local parks should come under the control of the Town Council, where they can be looked after and enhanced – something that has not happened since Wiltshire took them over in 2009.

I also wish to see the Assembly Hall retained as a community and entertainment venue for the town, and see exciting opportunities for it becoming a social hub for local people in our Town.

I am Chair of the very successful Melksham Food and River Festival.

Melksham Central  (seats: 5)

Lisa Ellis – Liberal Democrat

When I and my husband Graham moved to Melksham nearly 20 years ago, we knew we had found home by the welcome we received. I left Florida to join my husband, bringing skills that dovetailed his. Our business expanded from a small IT company in our home to a training centre with accommodation at Well House Manor.

The move to Melksham triggered my interest in the history of the town by studying its earlier inhabitants. My research is freely shared through The Well House Collection. My volunteer work with the transportation campaign my husband pursues was an introduction to local government. Having been to Town Hall meetings and getting to know the local councillors, I feels that I can have a positive influence on the town’s growth, while still maintaining that welcoming ambience that turned a move to a house into an embrace of an entire town.

Kathy Iles – Liberal Democrat

I have lived in Melksham for 35 years and I’m happy and proud to call it my ‘home town’. Four generations of my family, plus extended family, all live in the Central ward, so this really is my neighbourhood. As one of the founding members of Melksham Climate Friendly Group, and its secretary for 7 years, I’m passionate about care of the local environment, particularity waste management and recycling.

An active member of the Town Team I volunteer at regular litter picks around the town. I am Chair of South West in Bloom for Melksham and I am also one of the Melksham Community Environmental Events team that have delivered the free community apple pressing & seed swap days for the past 5 years. If elected, I plan to work on projects to improve the town and parks as well as recycling facilities and road safety issues to benefit everyone.

Martin Pain – Independent

Putting Melksham first, I’m standing as your independent candidate for Melksham Central town and county elections.  Born in Trowbridge as one of 11 children I grew up in peaceful beautiful Wiltshire. I’m married to Dr. Mary Du Pain and father of six children.

I served in the army in two active service arenas. I spent the majority of my professional life working for an international project management company where I gained considerable experience in finance and managing major international projects. I retired as group executive chairman having learnt a great deal about people management and team building.

Since then I’ve been putting these skills to good use in Melksham as a community activist promoting the need to overcome loneliness especially in an ageing society, campaigning for better NHS and care service delivery whilst striving to improve the quality of life for all ages in our diverse community.

Chris Petty – Independent

I was born and raised in Melksham and have lived in Melksham all my life. I have been a Melksham Town Councillor for the past 14 years and mayor from 2012 to 2014. I was educated at Lowbourne and Shurnhold Schools in Melksham and Chippenham Technical College.

My father owned a garage in Melksham and took an active role in local politics as a town and district councillor. My grandfather was a Melksham blacksmith. I have belonged to several local clubs over the years including procession secretary of the carnival committee.

I am standing as an independent because I can make up my own mind about what’s best for Melksham, and believe that national politics should not come into local elections. Unfortunately, due to being on crutches and awaiting a hip replacement, I have been unable to deliver any leaflets.

Hayley Spencer – Liberal Democrat

I live, work and raises my family in Melksham. My interests and passions are maintaining and enhancing our town centre and events to benefit all ages: children, families and those with unique hobbies!

In addition, the health and wellbeing of families within the community is paramount to me – a supportive network that helps people easily care for their loved ones in the best possible way is key to happy lives.

As a Town Councillor I have already implemented Smoke-Free signs in Melksham play areas, and plan to work hard to widen this initiative, as well as work with families to make Melksham a proud place to call home.

Mike Swanton – Conservative

I have lived in Melksham with my family since 1992, although my wife was born in Melksham and grew up in Littlejohn Avenue. My children have all gone through Melksham schools, where I was chair of governors for more than 10 years of what was Lowbourne Infants School. In 2006, I joined the Chippenham bench as a magistrate where I now serve as a Wiltshire Magistrate due to the amalgamation of the courts. I work locally in the town where I meet many of the residents in and around where I live.

Having taken a keen interest in the town and its development I have been pleased with the results so far. We have one of the best Christmas lights displays and with the completion of the Market Place we will see the results of all the planning and forward thinking of what I hope to be part with your help of on May 4th.

Terri Welch – Liberal Democrat

I have been a town councillor for over 20 years and have the future of Melksham in my thoughts. Our town is, at the moment very healthy and I will work to improve facilities and maintain the developments that we see.

For the past three years I have served the town as your Mayor, a job I have been privileged to do, to represent Melksham in Wiltshire and at the same time to promote our town.

I am heavily involved in Town Tidy Day, Town Team, South West in Bloom and the 55+ group, as well as my involvement in the Tourist Information Centre and the Community Bus service. I am a listening Councillor and would like your vote to continue serving Melksham.

Melksham North (seats: 5)

Caroline Andrewes – Conservative

I moved to Melksham from Bath with my partner and our daughter (four) almost four years ago. As a full-time working mum, the lure of a shorter commute to Chippenham got us looking towards Wiltshire and a town with a more community feel surrounded by beautiful Wiltshire countryside.  Melksham ticked all the boxes.

As sales manager for an IT company, I’ve spent the last 15 years working with a variety of organisations including British Transport Police, the Serious Fraud Office and South West Heritage Trust.  I’m passionate in delivering services to the public sector as they provide valuable services to us as citizens. I’m standing for town council because I recognise that my commercial and management experience will allow me to effectively campaign for the issues that we are experiencing; issues such as over-stretched GP practices. I will make a difference locally to make this great town even greater.

Pat Aves – Liberal Democrat

I have lived in Melksham for the last thirty years, having spent most of that time working as a Home Economics teacher both in London and several local schools. I have been a Town Councillor for the last six years and a County Councillor for the last four years.

I am passionate about many aspects of town life but in particular my main area of interest has always been the care and interests of children and their health and education. They are the future of this town and need to grow up in an atmosphere where they feel valued and cared for, so that they in turn learn to value and care for others.

This is why I feel so strongly about the condition and provision of parks and sporting facilities, and ack-nowledging their achievements at all ages and levels. I am also a compulsive litter picker and am part of the Town Tidy Team.

Ryan Clarke – Liberal Democrat

I was born in Trowbridge and moved to Melksham 13 years ago. Many of you may know me from the Blockbuster store in the heart of our community, where I spent 6 years.

I see many issues affecting the average working person like myself, and this is why I want to stand for Wiltshire Council. For example, not being able to find a job in Melksham after Blockbuster closed led me to working in Trowbridge. This made me reliant on Bus routes which as we all know have suffered significantly, and all evening bus services cut. This resulted in  having to negotiate new working hours around the train service, which runs only every two hours. This kind of change has a massive impact on people’s lives; the loss of the RUH hopper is another example of how the system just isn’t working for those who need it most. It’s important to me that the scarce money and resources available to us are being spent wisely, and on things that really benefit the local community.

I’m campaigning on ensuring our youth services and social care are properly funded, and that we take back control of transport issues including bus routes and pot holes.

Simon Hedley – Liberal Democrat

I live and work in Melksham. I am the owner of a small business in the Littlebrook Centre. As a small business owner I want the town to be interesting and vibrant, and will work to achieve this in partnerships with other organisations, and will try to persuade other business to come to the town. I am keen to see the park being owned by the Town and would like to work with local artists to achieve an exciting area for the local community.

Geoff Mitcham – Independent

I’ve lived in Melksham most of my life having been to both Lowbourne and Shurnhold schools and I have a passion for my home town. I first joined the Council in 1998 and served for nine years then, after a six year break, decided to stand again as I wanted to see Melksham improve for all the right reasons. I sincerely believe local councils should be non-political. I also believe there should be one Council but that is unlikely to happen.

I am currently chairman of Melksham Music and Drama, The Rachel Fowler Centre and am the promoter of Melksham Rock ‘n’ Roll Club. I have also served on various committees and was, at one time, a Governor of George Ward School. I volunteer in the Tourist Information Centre and my main interests are music, drama and computers.

Richard Wiltshire – Melksham First

I live in Roundponds with my wife Pamela, with three children and three grandchildren, and work in construction. A former Mayor and District Council cabinet member for the environment and recreation, I initiated the bin collection services giving Wiltshire high recycling rates. Recognising how voluntary groups benefit from grants, I was pleased to restart the now flourishing Melksham Gardeners Club and have promoted the Assembly Hall facility to include cinema and national entertainment.

I have chaired the Council’s Health Working Group for ten years supporting our GPs’ services, Melksham’s X-ray equipment, is now a walk in service. Consultants could visit, avoiding patients’ travelling  and helping Bath Hospital. I support the Wilts & Berks canal link, new rail services perhaps with steam trains, and the reuse of the Blue Pool for Melksham’s 350 bowls players. All councillors should work together not as now where some follow their political ambitions and not the interests of Melksham First.

Melksham Without Parish Council election

Berryfield (seats: 2)

Paul Carter – UKIP

I am Melksham born and bred (1950) and worked most of my life in our town. Of course I am biased, but I love living in the town and the people that make it such a good place to live, so I understand why so many want to live in our town.

My interest in the wellbeing of our town started many years ago but it is only in the last four years that I have had the privilege to serve you as a member of your parish council. Town and parish councillors are your first port of call when you need something doing and it is our job to represent your interests first. I am standing in the Berryfield Parish Ward and the Unitary Division for Melksham Without South, and am asking for your endorsement to continue to put the interests of the people of Melksham first.

Steve Petty – Independent

I have lived in Bowerhill and Berryfield for the best part of forty years. Previous to that I lived in Melksham town. I have been a member of Melksham Without Parish Council for about 17 years and previously served on Wiltshire Council from 2009 to 2013.

I am proud to belong to and support many other local community based groups and organisations, both in the town, and in the parish.

I believe in having a voice that represents the community at Wiltshire Council and the only way of achieving that is to stand as an INDEPENDENT.

If you vote for one of the political party members, you may get the view of the party and not necessarily that of the local community.

Richard Wood – Independent

I was born in Devon, went to university in London and arrived in Melksham to teach science at George Ward in 1972. I’m married with three children who were all educated at St Michael’s and George Ward.

I had always been interested in local government and won election to the Town Council in 1987, serving two years as mayor and only resigning in 1995 as I took on more responsibility at school. I retired from teaching in 2006, although I have continued to tutor and invigilate at Melksham Oak.

I joined Melksham Without in 2006 as I had moved to the parish. I’ve been chairman since 2013. I have also become very involved with activities in Berryfield and Semington Road. I’m a member of BASRAG  (Berryfield and Semington Road Action Group) and chair of the Neighbourhood Plan steering group.

I stand for election as an independent; party politics has no place at the parish level.