Residents are being encouraged to attend tonight's Full Council meeting and share their views on proposals for a £40,000 town centre improvement project.
Calne Town Council received £60,000 through Wiltshire Council's Towns Programme, which aims to support and improve town centres across the county. The funding must be spent by the summer and a range of options were explored for how it could be used.
Ideas considered included a mobile bandstand, while businesses and members of the public were also invited to put forward their own suggestions for improving the town centre.
The council has now identified a preferred scheme for the High Street and Phelps Parade area, featuring new seating, planters and landscaping improvements designed to make the space more attractive and welcoming for residents and visitors.
The project was put out to tender through the contracts portal, with submissions assessed against criteria including value for money and how well they met the council's brief. The recommended design achieved the highest overall score and came in at around £40,000.
Ahead of tonight's vote, Cllr Bobby Seymour said: "I am pleased that the Council has been able to land on a proposed design for this project. I think the improvements will go a long way towards enhancing the space and making this part of the town centre more attractive for residents and visitors."
The proposed cost has already sparked debate on social media, with some residents questioning whether the money could be better spent elsewhere in the town, including community facilities, parks and initiatives aimed at attracting businesses to the High Street.
Addressing those concerns, Cllr Seymour said: "I am aware that many residents feel £40,000 is a lot of money to spend on a project like this. It is surprising how much things such as stone walls, seating and planters cost. While £60,000 does not go as far as many people would expect, I believe what is being proposed will make a tangible difference to the area and help support our town centre."
Additional funding has also been used to provide more Christmas lights in Church Street after concerns were raised that businesses there felt overlooked during the darker winter months.
The preferred scheme would leave around £19,000 of the Towns Programme funding unspent. Responding to questions online, Cllr Seymour said some of the remaining money may be required for legal and associated costs, although funding should remain available for further improvements.
Councillors will decide tonight whether to support the proposed design. Should the scheme be approved, it would still need to progress through any necessary permissions and approval processes before work could begin.
Cllr Seymour added: "I would encourage any residents who have concerns about the project, or who would like to support it, to attend Monday's Full Council meeting and share their views ahead of the vote."
The Full Council Meeting will take place tonight, 22 June at 7pm in the Town Hall.
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