STEPS are being taken to bring Malmesbury Town Council closer to the community they serve, after a councillor raised concerns it could become a “peripheral body” in the town.

Councillor Steve Cox, who was mayor in 2011/12, produced a report for the town council arguing that more could be done to promote what the organisation does.

“It was highlighted at the start of this council that one of the ten principles that are important are relations and communications with the local community,” said Cllr Cox.

“I believe it is worthwhile thinking sometimes about this relationship and see if it could be sometimes strengthened, otherwise there is a danger of the town council just being a peripheral body in the lives of the community.

“I believe it should be more than that.

“Communications with the local community are very important, thus it would be a good idea to occasionally hire an outside body to tell us how we are doing with this process.”

Cllr Cox has proposed a number of measures to encourage engagement between community and council.

These include improving the council’s website and increasing social media presence from the mayor.

“The town council website should be informative and attractive,” said Cllr Cox. “At present there are some parts that do not work.

“A councillor or mayor should frequently check it out to ensure it is satisfactory, after all it is our major portal to the community.

“The mayor should have some presence on social media, if used positively it is an excellent way of making the community aware of the profile of the mayor and the hard work they do.”

The council are currently reviewing Cllr Cox’s proposals and actions will be taken on them in due course if members see fit.

Cllr Fran Vandelli, chairman of the community and town promotions committee, said Cllr Cox had some “great ideas”.

“There are a number of things we can do to improve communication,” she said.

“The website has had its hiccups and could be better and we can look to places like Tetbury council who use their town magazine for their communications.”

Cllr Vandelli said respective committees on the council will now look at how they can implement Cllr Cox’s suggestions.

She insisted however costs will need to be addressed, adding: “Media can cost a lot or it can cost a little.”

Anyone with suggestions on how the town council could better communicate with the community is urged to drop letters into the town hall or call 01666 822143.