New Town Councillor for Marlborough as Wiltshire prepares for elections.

By MirandaBaker | Sunday, August 16, 2009, 10:57

(Published August 14th, Updated August 16th)

Wiltshire Council has announced the names of the candidates who will be standing in a series of upcoming town council by-elections- but Marlborough’s new councillor has taken office already.

Calne, Chippenham, Melksham and Wootton Bassett Town Councils will each have elections for one seat on September 3rd. A by-election for the Southwick division of Wiltshire Council will be held on the same day. For more details see the Wiltshire Council Website.

The people of Marlborough will be spared a trip to the polling station, though, as Caroline Jackson was elected unopposed as the parish councillor for Marlborough and has already taken office.

Meanwhile Wiltshire Council will be sending forms to households this Autumn to compile a new electoral register that will be the basis for the forthcoming General Election which will take place between now and June 2010.

“It’s simple to register,” says John Watling, head of electoral services at Wiltshire Council. “All people have to do is complete the annual canvass form that will be coming through their letterbox over the coming months.”

Karen Quaintmere, head of electoral administration for the Electoral Commission said: “If people are not registered to vote, then they can’t make a decision about who represents them in Westminster. People should secure their voice on the issues that matter to them now: it only takes a few minutes.”

For more information visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or call the Electoral Services Team on 0300 456 0112.

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Comments

Absolutely!!! I couldn't agree more. I look forward to working with Caroline, she has been a fantastic help from the side lines since I was elected unopposed. Then we had just a enough people to fill all the vacancies, but it would be nice to know you have active support

I have projects on the go...but always want to hear peoples views and comments about how things can be improved.

By RichPitts at 22:45 on 23/08/09
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Caroline Jackson was not so much "elected unopposed" as actually the ONLY person who stood for election - so we didn't need to hold one! I think she's very brave and wish her all the luck in the world.

For all those people who are complaining that we didn't have an election - nothing to stop ANYONE from standing you know.......... it's a voluntary post - you can work very hard for very little thanks or work very little and achieve nothing.

BUT you have to be prepared to stand in the first place and only Caroline put her name forward. If more people were prepared to take an interest in how the Town Council works and how to push things forward - maybe more would happen.

However, there are those that only ever bother to take an interest when they are personally affected by something. It's no wonder that Councillors lose heart. Don't just "say" you live in Marlborough - become part of it - take an interest and you might find you will get a whole lot more out of living here! Make your voice heard ...... or just listen... but it would be really nice for a crowd of people to attend Town council meetings - just because they are interested.

By BusyBee2007 at 14:55 on 19/08/09
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