On Thursday, 1st May 2025, elections will take place for 98 Unitary Wiltshire Councillors and across the Parish and Town Councils in Wiltshire. We take a closer look at the candidates who will be vying for your votes in Calne.
Sam Pearce-Kearney, 32, is vying for re-election as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Calne South, bringing a wealth of experience gained from six years serving as a Calne Town Councillor and four years as a Wiltshire Councillor.
Driven by a commitment to listening to the community, Sam recently conducted his bi-annual survey, gathering 479 responses that highlighted key concerns amongst residents.
The results overwhelmingly pointed to the NHS with 90% of respondents identifying it as the top priority, with concerns ranging from GP appointment wait times and access to NHS dentists to ambulance response times.
The rising cost of living (58%) also emerged as a significant issue, followed closely by the importance of protecting Calne's green spaces (56%) and maintaining Calne's market town character.
The condition of local roads and pavements (48%) also ranked high on the list of concerns, an issue Sam has already been actively addressing by collaborating with the Highways department and Greensquare to resolve numerous issues.
"I believe you should know what your councillors are doing for you," Sam stated, emphasising his commitment to transparent communication.
He actively engages with residents through monthly email newsletters, quarterly focus newsletters, monthly surgeries, and regular social media interaction.
Sam advocates for stronger partnerships between the council and key stakeholders. "We need to work closer with our partners rather than fighting against them," he explained. He is dedicated to championing Calne's interests at Wiltshire Council and has a proven track record of resolving roadwork and traffic issues through collaboration with organisations like Wessex Water, Greensquare, Stagecoach, and the Environment Agency.
Beyond his council duties, Sam works for the NHS as an Engagement Lead for mental health services across West London. This role allows him to share best practices and innovative ideas, working closely with three London boroughs and exploring how their different approaches could benefit Calne.
"Outside of work and the council I'm a big fan of nature, cooking, photography and exploring museums," Sam added.
Residents wishing to contact Sam can reach him via email at
Want to know what’s on in Calne? Visit our local events page for listings and to find out how to add your own events for free. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news. Have you got a story for us? Email editor@calnenews.com.