WELCOME to the parish of MELKSHAM WITHOUT
in the heart of WEST WILTSHIRE
Council Meeting Update
Melksham Without Parish Council Office Closed
Following the recent Government advice, Melksham Without Parish Council have taken the regrettable decision to close their office to the public. Office staff can be reached by the Council Mobile Phone 07341 474234
You can also reach office staff and councillors by email (see website for details) or send to clerk@melkshamwithout.co.uk
Parish Council staff will continue to undertake their duties, including the amenities staff who will carry on with health and safety inspections of play areas, playing fields and allotments in the parish until Government advice changes.
Please check for regular updates and useful information on the Parish Council website.
Melksham Without Parish Council Meetings
The Parish Council Meetings are now being held face to face again, and members of the public are welcome to attend remotely or in person. You can read more here about the covid restrictions in place for public meetings here. Please click here for instructions on how to join the meeting remotely.
Meetings are available to view on YouTube after the meeting, up until the minutes are approved. The council agendas are published on the website and local noticeboards, and it gives full details of how to get involved.
3 vacancies at MWPC - to be filled by Co-option
COULD YOU FILL A VACANCY AT MELKSHAM WITHOUT PARISH COUNCIL?
Following the recent elections, Melksham Without Parish Council have 3 vacancies for Councillors to be co-opted.
If you have a keen interest in your local community and want to get involved then please write to the Clerk of the Council with a few details about yourself and why you are interested in becoming a Councillor.
You will also need to confirm that you meet the qualifications of a Council candidate:
• you are British, or a citizen of the Commonwealth, or European Union
• at least 18 years old
• registered to vote in the area or have lived, worked or owned property there for at least 12 months
There are 2 vacancies in the Bowerhill Ward and 1 vacancy in the Beanacre, Shaw, Whitley & Blackmore Ward; however the successful candidate will be a member of the parish council as a whole and can live in the parish or within 3 miles of the parish boundary.
The parish of Melksham Without covers the rural communities surrounding the town including Bowerhill, Berryfield, Outmarsh, Shaw, Whitley, Beanacre, Redstocks, The Spa and Sandridge with a population of about 8,000.
The deadline for receipt of letters of interest is Sunday 20th June as they will be considered by the Parish Council when they meet on as a Full Council at the end of June.
Applicants are invited to that meeting to say a few words, and if successfully co-opted will be invited to sign their declaration of office and join the council meeting.
In the case of urgent Parish matters that cannot wait until the office is open please ring 07341 474234
The Parish of Melksham Without is in the Melksham Community Area.
It surrounds the Town of Melksham and has thirteen Members. It is the largest rural parish in Wiltshire and has a population of approximately 7,500. It covers an area of 2,904 hectares (7,173 acres).
If you are a resident of Melksham Without and have an issue you would like raised with your local council, please get in touch with the Clerk or your local Councillors.
If you have any comments about our web site or suggestions for information or resources that you would like to see added, please let us know via the feedback page.
OBJECTIVES & PRIORITIES FOR 2021/22
Adopted at Annual Council meeting 17th May 2021
Neighbourhood Plan
To achieve a successful Referendum result
Implementation, monitor and use of policies
Review of Plan
To input and influence the Local Plan Review and Statement of Common Ground with Wiltshire Council and Melksham Town Council
To influence and lobby Central Government to change the new NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) legislation for Neighbourhood Plans protected to a 3-year land supply, to hold for more than 2 years (working with WALPA Wiltshire Area Localism & Planning Alliance)
Water refill points – post covid to look at installing water refill points at Shaw & Bowerhill sports field
To support Covid Recovery in the parish and wider community
To review the Emergency Plan (reflect on learning from Covid)
To engage with stakeholders and contractors to ensure a smooth transition for staff, councillors and parishioners during the Parish Council’s move into new office and meeting space accommodation at the Campus in Autumn 2022
Construction of Berryfield Village Hall
Bowerhill Sports Field enhancement project – teen shelter/gym equipment
Shurnhold Fields car park and improved entrance project
To continue to maintain a good working relationship with Wiltshire Council, the Area Board and all the neighbouring parishes who abut Melksham Without.
LONGER TERM OBJECTIVES & PRIORITIES FOR 4 YEAR TERM OF OFFICE 2021 - 2025
Adopted at Annual Council meeting 17th May 2021
To use less paper / become more climate friendly (in line with Wiltshire Council’s goal of being Carbon Neutral by 2030)
To provide enhanced access to council meetings via remote technology to improve community engagement
To obtain mains drainage for Beanacre
To achieve best outcome for the parish as a whole, for the A350 Bypass
Website Disclaimer
Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information given on the website is correct, Melksham Without Parish Council does not accept any responsibility for any errors shown. Opinions expressed or implied by material on the website are not necessarily those of the Council at any given time. All material on this website; text photos and graphics, are owned by Melksham Without Parish Council and copyright of the Council.
