Town Council power shifts as new independent group forms 

A new Independent group has been formed on Melksham Town Council, bringing together six serving councillors who say their priority is to put the town first.

The group, known as the Melksham Independent Group, will include three councillors who have left the Liberal Democrat group and two who have left the Conservative group in the last 24 hours. They will join one councillor who remains Independent.

The Liberal Democrats have lost overall control of the council, with the Conservative group vowing to work with the newly formed group of independent councillors.

The group will be led by Councillor Rhys Cleary, who has stepped away from the Liberal Democrats, saying he increasingly felt party structures were not helping him do the best job for Melksham.  Cllr Cleary said, “This isn’t about looking backwards or taking shots at individuals or parties. It’s about doing something better for Melksham. We want to focus on what actually needs doing, without being constrained by party politics.”
The group formed following conversations between councillors who felt the council could be “more collaborative, more practical, and more focused on delivery.”

The new make-up of the council will be: Liberal Democrats 7, Melksham Independent Group 6, Conservatives
2.

“At town council level, residents don’t want ideology,” said Cllr Cleary. “They want the basics done well. They want their community supported, their money spent responsibly, and progress on the issues that affect daily life in Melksham.”

The Melksham Independent Group says its immediate focus will be on stabilising local priorities, ensuring value for money for taxpayers, and avoiding unnecessary spending on non-essential projects. Members have also stressed the importance of transparency, open decision-making and will operate without of a party ‘whip’, meaning councillors are not bound to vote along party lines.
Cllr Cleary said, “One of the strengths of working this way is that we can support good ideas wherever they come from. If something is right for Melksham, we can back it. That flexibility simply doesn’t always exist within traditional party structures.”

The confirmed members of the Melksham Independent Group are: Councillors Emma Calland (South Ward), Rhys Cleary (East Ward), Maverick Drewett (East Ward), Gillian Elson (East Ward), Jack Oatley (Forest Ward) and Amy Whitlock (Forest Ward).

Conservative Councillor Phil Alford said, “I am really pleased for all the members who have formed the new independent group, including Jack and Gillian. We stood for Wiltshire Council as Conservative candidates but always felt that on Melksham Town Council, party affiliation was unimportant. It is why we never formed a party group on the council and always encouraged each other to vote freely on every issue. I am sure this spirit will continue and I am more than happy to support them all wherever and whenever I can.”

Liberal Democrat Councillor Jennie Westbrook said, “We’re genuinely sorry to see them go. As Liberal Democrats, we believe strongly in individual autonomy, and that a healthy democracy depends on people with different perspectives working together. We’re grateful to Rhys, Emma and Amy for everything they’ve contributed, and we look forward to working with them in the future for the benefit of our town.”

Pictured: Four members of Melksham Independent Group, l-r Cllrs Maverick Drewett, Gillian Elson, Emma Calland, Rhys Cleary