Wiltshire Conservatives secured a victory in the Melksham South by election, returning former Mayor Tom Price to Melksham Town Council.
Tom won the seat, comfortably beating Reform, following the resignation of Cllr Jon Hubbard.
Cllr Price previously served four years on the council as an independent, including a term as deputy mayor, and as mayor from May 2024 to May 2025, but waited until his previous term was up before joining the Conservatives.
“Being re-elected to the town council is a real honour,” said Cllr Price. “I stood on a platform of improving openness and transparency for the public and I am already working hard to deliver on that commitment. The people of Melksham South have always had a strong voice through their previous representatives, and I am determined to continue that tradition.”
“I encourage residents to contact to me with any issues or concerns; I’m here to listen, support and help signpost where needed. I am proud to serve Melksham South and look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Top of Tom's list of priorities will be tackling the outdated play park on Speedwell Close and addressing concerns over CCTV, including the mobile units which are not currently being deployed.
He will also be calling for a return to meetings being streamed on Facebook to ensure residents can keep up to date with what is being done in their name.
Annabelle Sanderson, Deputy Chairman (Political) for Melksham and Devizes Conservative Association welcomed Tom's victory.
"It is wonderful to welcome Cllr Price to the Conservative family and I have such respect for him not jumping ship mid term after he was elected as an independent, but waiting for an election so residents could have their say," she said.
"It is clear Tom is passionate about Melksham and will do his utmost for local residents and we are all behind him as he joins his fellow Conservatives on Melksham Town Council, holding the Lib Dems to account."
