Melksham Without is the largest rural parish in Wiltshire and has a population of approximately 8,000. It covers an area of 2,904 hectares (7,173 acres). Parish Councils are democratically elected local authorities with duties, powers and privileges conferred by Acts of Parliament. They are privileged to be the local authority tier closest to ordinary people and they aim to serve the local community and reflect local views in a number of ways. Parish Councils are on a par with town councils and have the same legal powers.