Marlborough’s Magnificent Seven to fight it out on Wednesday to become a town councillor

The Magnificent Seven, two of them women, will line up at an extraordinary meeting of Marlborough town council on Wednesday evening in a bid for two vital seats left vacant in May.

Too few  candidates at the local government elections two months ago meant that voters in Marlborough didn’t have the chance to cast their democratic vote for any council candidates at all.

The 14 candidates for the 16 seats on the town council were automatically elected without going through any red hot contest for their seats, surprising apathy given the current political turmoil.

And yet those “unelected” 14 will now cast their votes in a co-option contest as a result of seven candidates coming forward thanks to a campaign by newly appointed town clerk Shelley Parker, to ensure the town council is brought up to full strength.

“The two vacancies have been advertised and seven candidates have come forward each stating for which ward they wish to stand,” reports the agenda she has set.

“I’m both delighted and surprised that so many residents have come forward to take on the responsibility,” the town clerk told Marlborough News Online.

And what a highly talented and committed would-be councillors they have proved themselves to be in written statements before they speak in person on Wednesday and are then quizzed by senior council members.

Four are seeking to represent Marlborough’s East Ward – Caroline Hadden, David Thornton, Mervyn Hall and Brian Ashley, while Jo Haseldine, Tim Carke and Alec Light bid to be the new West Ward councillor.

“To be a town councillor would be a great privilege,” declares Caroline Hadden in her statement. “I am passionate about Marlborough and the people who live here.

“I have said to many people for a teenager the town is not great but as a parent it’s fantastic. I want it to be fantastic for all ages,” adding: “I would like you to be aware that had I stood at the election I would have stood as an independent.”

David Thornton points out: “The continued pressure on residents’ finances means that the town council has an important role to play in securing value for money from its precept, as well as maintaining healthy reserves.

“Additionally, the council needs to improve its engagement with local businesses and organisations to empower them to make their own contributions to making Marlborough a better place to do business and, through this co-production, attract new businesses and visitors.”

Mrs Heseldine recommends: “Marlborough is an historic town and needs to continue to capitalise on its heritage to increase awareness of what it can offer, to both those who live here but also from tourists to increase the financial viability for all shop owners.

“There are many issues that need to be addressed and the town council has the opportunity to ensure that Marlborough continues to offer all its residents an environment with a range of facilities that caters for those of all ages.”

And Marlborough-born Alec Light reveals: “I have always been interested and involved in local issues and would like to join the team of councillors to represent the whole electorate within the community, to ensure services are delivered to meet local needs and strike to improve the quality of life in the community.”

Some candidates, like Brian Ashley, have served the community before having spent four years as a former Kennet district councillor, chairing the Marlborough Jazz Festival committee for five years and launching the Marlborough College Summer School.

Mervyn Hall is a chartered engineer with a degree in electronics and a post graduate diploma in management studies while Manton resident Tim Clarke has an intimate knowledge of the River Kennet and “uniquely placed in any form of flood management”.

Each candidate will be brought into the council chamber in turn and invited to make a short presentation before the Mayor, Councillor Guy Loosmore, and council committee chairmen can spent up to five minutes asking each of the candidates questions.

“It is going to be a fascinating evening,” one councillor told Marlborough News Online. “The town council has never had a situation like this ever before to my knowledge.”