A MELKSHAM councillor has strongly criticised his own parish council for trying to take on ‘white elephant’ sports fields and play areas as it raises its local precept by 6.8 per cent.

Cllr Terry Chivers, the ward member for Beanacre, Shaw and Whitley, says it’s time to stop the “eye-watering” increases in the council tax needed to maintain the leisure facilities.

On Monday, Melksham Without Parish Council set the precept at £190,091.74 for the 2018/19 financial year, which is a rise of £12,091.74 or 6.81 per cent on last year’s precept.

This means that the average Band D household will contribute £74.97 to the parish council for the year, a rise of £4.78 or 40p per month on last year.

Cllr Chivers said: “This is on top of the eye-watering increase from Wiltshire Council that will on average see residents paying around £100 per year more. On top of this we have an increase in the Police and Fire Service precepts. It really is time to call a halt to these massive increases unless they can be justified.

“For example, Melksham Without were at the front of the queue to take over the Jubilee Sports Field at Bowerhill, Melksham.

“They have new changing room facilities there but they have hardly ever been used as football teams in Melksham are playing on the sports pitches at the Melksham Town ground.

“Melksham Without are now considering taking joint ownership with Melksham Town Council of the playing fields to the West of Dunch Lane

“The owners, Persimmon Homes, are offering us the grand sum of £2,000 to take them on. It may be a good deal for town residents but not for those living in the parish.

“Maybe the way forward would be to hold a parish poll and allow the residents of Melksham Without decide just how much they are prepared to pay in council tax to fund white elephants like the Jubilee Sports Field.”

But parish council chairman, Cllr Richard Wood, defended the increase, saying the council has taken on additional responsibilities in the last two years, including former Wiltshire Council play areas, cleaning of bus shelters and paying to keep public toilets open.

Also, the council is to take on the former George Ward playing fields in a joint venture partnership with Melksham Town Council, which will also be funded by grants.

“Plans for expenditure next year also include the replacement of the safety surfacing at Hornchurch Road play area in Bowerhill, and a footpath extension in the public open space there.

“We are also doing flood alleviation work in Shaw and Whitley, play area equipment replacement in Beanacre, and additional street furniture and highway improvements.”