New Campus to be located in Town Centre following campaign by Cllr Jon Hubbard

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Published on Monday, 13 June 2011 11:55

Written by Jon Hubbard

Local residents are celebrating today following an announcement by Wiltshire Council that they will be developing the new Melksham Campus in the Town Centre.

The council is, subject to final site assessment and contract, to purchase the Melksham House and Blue Pool site in the town and build a new single site service campus at this location.

Originally the council had planned to build the site at Woolmore Farm, by the new school, but local residents had fought a prolonged campaign led by local councillor Jon Hubbard to keep services such as the library and youth centre in the town centre. The

Speaking after the annoucement the Wiltshire Councillor for Melksham South, Jon Hubbard, commented, "This is the best possible news for Melksham. Finally the council have listened and responded to the sustained calls of the people of Melksham. I first asked for this location of the campus site to be changed a year ago, and since then we have had my petition of over 2,000 signatures, a community consultation that resoundingly said 'No' to the out-of-town site and finally the Town Poll with 94% of people saying 'No' to Woolmore Farm

"Finally now we have an annoucement for Melksham to celebrate.

"We need to get on and build the new facility now and bring in the additional trade and investment into the town.

"I would like to thank everyone who supported my campaign to acheive this over the past year and I am delighted that we have gained this fantastic investement in our Town Centre".

Stunning 94% vote to keep town centre Library and Youth Centre

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Published on Tuesday, 31 May 2011 21:01

Written by Jon Hubbard

In today's Town Poll asking Melksham residents if they wanted to keep the Library and Youth Centre in the town centre or see them moved to an out-of-town location, 94% of electors chose to keep the facilities in the town.

The poll, which was run by Wiltshire Council on behalf of Melksham Town Council saw 930 local residents express their views, with 870 of them saying they wanted to keep the Library and Youth Centre in the town. Just 59 residents supported moving the popular local facilities with one paper reported as being spoiled.

Speaking after the result was declared local councillor Jon Hubbard said, "I am delighted with this result tonight. This clearly shows that Melksham does not support moving these facilities and I hope that this issue can now be laid to rest. It's time for Wiltshire Council to accept the will of the people, step to the mark and talk about alternative plans.

"It's not too late recognise how unpopular their plans are and to adjust them to better meet the needs of Wilthsire residents.".

When challenged about the low turnout Jon commented, "Low turnouts are normal in town polls. You have to remember that no polling cards were sent out, and the only publicity about the poll was an article in the Melksham News and one leaflet distributed to most households. But let's remember, more people voted against this than voted for 3 of the 4 conservative councillors on the Melksham Area Board!"

Show Your Support for Melksham's Town Centre Library and Youth Centre

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Published on Monday, 23 May 2011 14:52

Written by Jon Hubbard

Serveal people have asked me if it is possible to obtain a copy of the Window Poster for the Town Poll next Tuesday.

Copies are available from the Tourist Infomation Centre, or you can download a copy direct from this web site by clicking here or on the poster shown.

You can also download a copy of the leaflet being distributed to every household in the town here.

This leaflet will be being distributed over the next week, and if you want to help by deliverying a few leaflets in your street (or any other part of Melksham) copies are available from the Tourist Information Centre.

This leaflet is non-party political and answers questions that many local people are asking about the poll and plans to move the Library and Youth Centre.

Poll Date Announced

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Published on Wednesday, 18 May 2011 11:09

Written by Jon Hubbard

Wiltshire Council Electoral Services have finally announced the date for the Town Poll over the moving of the Town Centre Library and Youth Centre.

The poll is set to be held on Tuesday 31st May in the Melksham Assembly Hall, and polls will be open from 4pm to 9pm.

The message from the council reads:

I can confirm that the date for the Melksham Parish Poll has been set for Tuesday 31 May 2011.

There will be 6 polling stations sited in the Melksham Assembly Hall.

Please note that for a parish poll:

• No poll cards are issued
• No postal votes are issued
• No proxies can be appointed
• Polling hours are 4pm – 9pm

Only electors registered for the parish of Melksham are eligible to vote (i.e. electors in Melksham Without parish are not eligible).

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Local councillor Jon Hubbard has criticised the short notice of the date saying, "It has taken over two weeks for Wiltshire Council to come up with this date, yet they have given less than two weeks notice of the poll. The legal limit for the date the poll can be held is 8th June, so I don't understand  why they have to rush it though so fast. Could it be that they don't want people to know it is happening?"

New Town Poll voted for at Special Town Meeting

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Published on Tuesday, 03 May 2011 20:53

Written by Jon Hubbard

At the special Town Meeting held on Tuesday evening local residents overwhelmingly voted to hold a special Town Poll on the proposed moving of the town's central library and youth centre.

The poll, which will have to take place within the month, will ask electors if, should a suitable town centre location not be found, do they support moving the popular local services out of town.

I will post the details of the exact wording and poll date as soon as it is announced.