Tempers flare at second Salisbury City parish meeting

Thursday, 16 March 2023 00:00

The second parish meeting arranged to discuss the Salisbury City Council precept and limits on future increases had to be paused after arguments broke out and tempers flared.

The 43.8% increase in the City Councils' council tax precept (on a Band D property) has led to two parish meetings being called with the aim of residents putting a limit on future increases.

It was felt that there was still confusion and no satisfactory outcome following the first meeting in February, so a second meeting was convened and took place last night in the Guildhall.

After the meeting had been restarted, it was decided that a poll should take place, and the question would be:

Do you support a five per cent cap on future increases to the Salisbury City Council precept and a parish consultation if any proposed increase is larger than five per cent?

The poll will cost around £18,000 to administer and will be held like a regular election or referendum with polling stations. Everyone on the electoral roll in the Salisbury Parish will be eligible to vote and will be advised of the poll via the post.

It is expected the poll will take place within the next two to three weeks.

The result of the poll, though, is not legally binding and will not affect the 43.8% increase on this year's council tax bills, as that has already been approved by the council - with objection from Conservative councillors.

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