Cllr Stewart Palmén

Western Area Planning Committee - Wednesday 11 June 2025 3.00 pm

The Western Area Planning Committee met to discuss planning appeals and applications in the western region of Wiltshire. The committee approved an outline application for an indoor training facility at Bradford Rubin Football Club in Winsley, and deferred a decision regarding the retrospective change of use of the George Hotel in Codford to allow for further discussion with the applicant. A decision on a retrospective application for a summer house/shed in Melksham was also deferred pending a site visit.

Strategic Planning Committee - Wednesday 4 June 2025 10.30 am

At a meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee, chaired by Councillor Ernie Clark, Independent Group Leader, an outline planning application for residential development on land off Freestone Grove, Westbury was approved, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement[^2]. The committee also received an update on planning appeals, including one relating to land west of Westbury Road in Warminster.

Application for a Time Limited Premises Licence - Wiltshire Throwback Festival, Melksham Football and Rugby Club, Eastern Way, Melksham, Western Area Licensing Sub Committee - Wednesday 28 May 2025 11.30 am

The Western Area Licensing Sub Committee met to consider an application from Jarboom Limited for a time-limited premises licence for the Wiltshire Throwback Festival, scheduled to take place at Melksham Football and Rugby Club on Eastern Way, Melksham. Ultimately, the committee resolved to grant the licence for live music, recorded music, and the sale of alcohol, subject to a condition that the event adheres fully to the finalised Event Management Plan (EMP). This decision came after representations from Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council Highways Team, and Melksham Town Council were withdrawn, as their concerns had been addressed.

Extraordinary - On the rising of Full Council, not before 11am, Trowbridge Area Board - Tuesday 20 May 2025 11.00 am

The Trowbridge Area Board met to elect a new chair and vice-chair, and to appoint representatives to the Local Highways and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG). Councillor Stewart Palmén was elected as Chair and Councillor Denise Bates was elected as Vice-Chair. The Area Board also appointed its representatives to the LHFIG.

Council - Tuesday 20 May 2025 10.30 am

The annual meeting of Wiltshire Council saw Councillor Laura Mayes elected as the new chairman, and Councillor Ruth Hopkinson elected as vice-chairman. Councillor Ian Thorne was appointed leader of the council for 2025-2029, and he announced his cabinet. Councillors also voted to delegate decisions on committee appointments to a later meeting, and to authorise work to establish a new financial scrutiny committee.