THE make-up of Melksham Town Council’s committees will no longer be ‘politically balanced’.
Instead, the council voted unanimously at last week’s annual meeting to “suspend” the requirement, to instead allow for the “best councillors” with the right “skills, abilities and interests” to put themselves forward to be a committee member.
The removal of the requirement for ‘political balance’ allowed Together for Melksham, the group that holds the majority of seats on the council, to take the majority of seats on all five of the council’s committees.
The proposal to make the change to the council’s committees was made by new mayor, cllr Jon Hubbard – member of Together for Melksham, which has eight seats on the council; and seconded by cllr Phil Alford – one of five Conservative councillors on the council.
The remaining two seats on the council are held by a Liberal Democrat and an Independent.
At the meeting, cllr Hubbard said, “We believe that the membership of our committees should reflect the skills, abilities and interests of their members, and not the members’ political affiliation.”
Echoing the comments made by cllr Hubbard, cllr Phil Alford explained that “proportionality is not necessary” and that it “inhibits getting the right mix of people”.He said, “We should make sure that those people who are most interested, who have the most to offer, are able to contribute that to the town.”
At the meeting, councillors agreed the committee members for the five committees.
The economic development & planning committee has nine members – five from Together for Melksham, two Conservatives, one Liberal Democrat, and one Independent.
The community development committee has seven members – five from Together for Melksham, one Conservative, and one Liberal Democrat.
The finance, admin & performance committee – the new name for the finance & admin committee – has seven members – five from Together for Melksham, and two Conservatives.
The asset and amenities committee – the new name for the asset management committee – has nine members – five from Together for Melksham, and four Conservatives.
The staffing committee – which replaces the HR sub committee that was “abolished” at the meeting – has five members – three from Together for Melksham, and two Conservatives.
