Well - I decided NOT to stand for the parish council in the ward in which I live - reasons and details previously blogged
http://www.wellho.net/mouth/4734_Thoughts-on-the-new-Blackmore-Ward-of-Melksham-Without-Parish.htmlhttp://www.wellho.net/mouth/4735_Revisiting-should-I-stand-for-Melksham-Without-Parish-Council-in-May-.htmlNominations closed yesterday, and it turns out that only one candidate is standing for the two seats in the ward, so had I stood I would automatically have become a parish councillor.
<rant>But ... oh dear ... our one councillor, with 40 years experience (he describes himself as "independent councillor for 40 years") is Mr Negative; formerly chair of the Melksham Rail Development Group when it wasn't developing at all, and very much in my memory as the person who made public inputs to a consultation when I was new to this game, suggesting that a train be withdrawn from another (specific) line so that it could be used for Melksham instead. Made us a number of rather powerful opponents, and helped fuel a lack of trust that has taken years to rebuild. He's attended a couple of things over the past year or two, and remains an expert at telling us what can't be done (or rather couldn't be done when he was younger); I dread to think how he'll be representing our somewhat off ward at parish.</rant> Perhaps I should let it be known that I might be open to co-option ...
