Salisbury City Council to hold consultations throughout August
Have your say on what's important in Salisbury
Consultations are being held by Salisbury City Council to find out what we think their priorities should be.
It follows the uproar caused by precept in the City rising by 49% in this year’s budget, which led to a parish poll in April.
The consultations are part of the City Council’s efforts to ensure they continue to represent the views of those who elected them.
City Council Leader Annie Riddle told us it was clear people wanted more of a say.
“The idea is that we will make sure that we are what we're doing is in line with people's priorities and of course with our own as elected Members.”
The consultations are to be held across several dates through the summer and there will be an online survey we can complete.
There are six opportunities to meet with the Councillors to discuss what you think is important.
You'll be able to speak to them at Salisbury Market Place or in the Guildhall at the following dates and times:
Saturday 5th August: 10.00am – 2.00pm
Tuesday 8th August: 10.00am - 2.00pm and 5.30pm - 7.00pm
Tuesday 15th August: 10.00am - 2.00pm and 5.30pm – 7.00pm
Saturday 19th August: 10.00am - 2.00pm
City Council acting in 'good faith'
Cllr Riddle said it never hurts to check with people to make sure they think the right things are being done but admitted it’s not possible to please everyone.
“The danger with the consultation like this is that is that everybody could think that they're going to get everything they want.”
She also stressed that the City Council are acting in good faith and wanted to remove as much party politicking from the City Council.
“We won't be able to do everything that every individual thinks we should be doing. People have to take a grown-up attitude towards this and realise that we are doing our best.
“We don't need party politics in getting in the way of administering basic local functions. So, I do hope that people will understand that we're doing this thing in good faith and that they will respond in that spirit."
We're getting a leaflet that we shouldn't throw away
Cllr Riddle also hopes the consultation clear up confusion over what the City Council can and can’t do.
“We will be sending out a leaflet that tells people exactly what our powers are and those of Wiltshire Council are. I think there's still a great deal of confusion in the public mind about what the City Council can and can't do.”
“There are expectations of us which we can't fulfil because they don't necessarily fall within our legal remit.”