Salisbury 'parish meeting' could lead to council tax referendum

A special meeting's to be held in Salisbury next week, which could lead to a referendum on how much council tax city residents could pay in the next financial year.

The 'parish meeting' on Wednesday 22nd February is not a City Council meeting, but instead called for by residents.

They can be arranged if six or more local electors ask for one.

In this case, the meeting at Salisbury Guildhall will ask two questions:

• Do Salisbury residents support a limit on any proposed increase to the parish precept by 5% per year?

• If an administration wants to increase the precept by more than 5% then a parish poll should be required?

Last month, Salisbury City Council agreed an increase in the Council Tax precept of an average 44%.

They said the rise was needed to cover things like energy bills, inflationary increases and as they take on more services from Wiltshire Council.

The parish meeting could mean a local vote has to be held into an increase in council tax above a 5% threshold.

Anyone's welcome to attend the meeting at Salisbury Guildhall, from 6.00pm, on Wednesday 22nd February.

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