THE role of Melksham’s mayor could be changed to a ceremonial position, and a new town council leader role created, if a proposal gets the go-ahead this week.
The proposal has been made by a group of town councillors who say that the new role is needed to manage the workload of town council staff, which is increasing due to the expanding size of the town.
They say, “This would enable the mayor to have more time to represent the town and support voluntary groups. This leader post will of course be an unpaid, voluntary post with no cost to the rate payer.”
The proposal will be discussed at a extraordinary full council meeting this Thursday, 26th September, at the Town Hall from 8.30pm – and if approved, the changes would be made immediately and a leader for the town council elected.
Describing the new role of leader, the motion put forward to the town council says, “The role of leader will provide leadership to the council but with no executive powers; act as a liaison between the town clerk and councillors in indicating priorities and programmes for inclusion in council business; be responsible for working with other councillors as appropriate to formulate the council strategy; to be the first point of contact for the town clerk when a political or policy response is needed; to line manage the activities of the town clerk to ensure that the work programme of council staff is geared to deliver the agreed policies and priorities of the council.”
About the role of mayor, the motion says, “The role of town mayor shall be limited to chairing the annual and ordinary meetings of the council and to representing the town at ceremonial and civic events.”
