Two vacancies on the Town Council – one East, one West – Interested?

Marlborough needs you……

There are now two vacancies on the Town Council as Councillors Waltham (East) and Allen (West) gave notice that they were standing down. Mayor Lisa Farrell paid tribute to them both, thanking them for their service and wishing them well in the future.

An opportunity for anyone looking to serve their local community and play an important role in the future of Marlborough. What happens on a day-by-day basis – and more strategically – where it is going, how it can best thrive and be the great place for all of us to live in. The Marlborough Area Neighbourhood Plan is an important example of this as the Plan, vital for the future of the town and now nearing completion, was created primarily by Town Councillors, led by Councillor (and former Mayor) Mervyn Hall.

What does the role of Councillor on the Town Council entail? In essence you, as Councillor are the representative of those living in your ward. The issues that arise and are of importance to those in the community, in the first instance will be taken to the respective Town Councillor, who will then start by making the representations to get the issue aired properly and resolved. In Marlborough there are two wards – East and West, the town is broadly split down the middle.

Contrary to what many think Councillors don’t have absolute power over what happens: on the roads, in planning issues or anything like that. But a Councillor will be able to raise important issues so that they can be seen and resolved by the appropriate body, and as such are able to wield influence, which is of vital importance to residents who individually wouldn’t have that access. In Planning, for example, the accepted recommendation of the Town Council’s Planning Committee will be regarded as an important and valuable consultation as to whether an application is goes through or is rejected, and in most cases it will be followed as local opinion matters.

But Councillors do have major input regarding activities in the town, particularly regarding events and the success of last year’s Platinum Jubilee was in no small measure due to the input and efforts of the Councillors and the Council team.

So it is an important role within the town, and it is the very first level of democracy, enabling everyone to have a say, and be heard. Town Councillors can help make that happen.

Interested? The next stage will be to write to the Returning Officer at Wiltshire Council in Trowbridge. Details are set out below on each of the two ‘Notice of Vacancy’ sheets. Click to enlarge.

The deadline is in just over two weeks – on 16 February. Were an election to be called, it would take place by no later than 24 April. Any questions regarding application contact Marlborough’s Town Clerk – Richard Spencer-Williams, details on the Town Council website.