MELKSHAM Town Council agreed to create a new role of deputy leader of the council at this week’s Annual Town Meeting, held on Monday 1st June on Zoom and YouTube.
Following the appointment of the new mayor (cllr Pat Aves) and deputy (cllr Geoff Mitcham), councillors took a vote on electing the leader of the council and, for the first time, a new deputy leader. Cllr Vanessa Fiorelli is to continue in her role of council leader and cllr Adrienne Westbrook takes on the new role of deputy leader.
Previously, the town elected the roles of mayor and deputy mayor but last year the role of leader of the council was introduced, leaving the mayor as a ceremonial role. At this week’s meeting, councillors were asked to vote on the creation of a new role of deputy leader.
At the meeting, cllr Sue Brown asked why the creation of such a role was necessary, saying she had doubts about introducing the role. She said, “I would like to know what we hope to achieve in a new position like this. What will the residents of Melksham get out of it?”
Cllr Hayley Illman replied, “The role is quite important if the leader of the council was unable to fulfil their role.”
Cllr Brown said that other councils in Wiltshire managed without the two roles. She said,“Trowbridge council has a leader of the council and mayor, and 24 councillors, They do not have a deputy leader.”
Councillor Westbrook explained that the extra role of deputy leader would not cost Melksham residents any money saying, “Our mayor costs very little, the deputy mayor costs nothing and the roles of leader of the council and deputy leader cost nothing. It will allow a smoother, more efficient town council.”
Cllr Brown replied that she had taken on board cllr Westbrook’s comments.
The new role of deputy leader of the council was proposed by cllr Fiorelli and seconded by cllr Illman. Those in favour were councillors Andrewes, Mitcham, Westbrook, Illman, Aves, Fiorelli, Iles, Jeffries, Watts and Welch. Councillors who voted against the new role were Hubbard, Pain, Brown, Sankey and Wiltshire.
Last year, cllr Fiorelli was elected as leader of the council. At this week’s meeting, cllr Mike Sankey proposed that cllr Jon Hubbard be made leader, which was seconded by cllr Brown. Cllr Hayley Illman proposed that cllr Fiorelli continue as leader of the council and this was seconded by cllr Kathy Iles. Councillors then voted on who should be leader; won by cllr Fiorelli at 9 votes to 6. Councillors in favour of cllr Fiorelli were; Aves, Iles, Jeffries, Fiorelli, Mitcham, Watts, Welch, Westbrook and Illman. Those who voted for cllr Hubbard were; Andrewes, Brown, Sankey, Pain, Wiltshire and Hubbard.
The leader of the council, cllr Fiorelli, then proposed cllr Westbrook as her new deputy, which was seconded by cllr Terri Welch. On this vote, councillors voting in favour were Ilman, Andrewes, Aves,Iles, Fiorelli, Jeffries, Mitcham, Watts and Welch. Councillor Richard Wiltshire voted against and councillors Hubbard, Brown, Pain and Sankey abstained from the vote.
