Salisbury District Council operates an area committee system, intended to give local people a voice in the decisions that affect them.
The Area Committees were set up in 1997 following a successful pilot in the Amesbury Area. Many lessons were learned before the area committee system that is operating today, emerged.
They are responsible for amongst other matters regulatory functions (Development control / licensing), the development of the community strategy and the allocation of the South Wiltshire Community Grants. The City Area has specific powers as it acts in the capacity of a parish council eg levies its own precept. All four involve councillors for each particular area (are Ward based) and meetings are held in public.
The membership of each Area Committee is geographically governed; comprised of the District Ward Councillors representing each Ward in that Area. Hence the Area Committees are not politically balanced; indicative of the fact that one role of the Area Committee is as a community forum.
To enhance this further, both the relevant Parish Councils and County Councillors are invited to sit and take part in the Area Committee's deliberations and, with the exception of regulatory items (for example planning applications), may at the Chairman's discretion, vote on some issues.
Salisbury District Council has allocated an officer to undertake the administration of each Area Committee. This officer has special responsibility for dealing with the interests of the area.
The Area Committee Co-ordinator is there to help you. Please contact the relevant co-odinators if you require further information.They are:
Telephone:
01722 434408
Fax:
01722 434478
email:
dsumail@salisbury.gov.uk
Postal address:
Democratic Services
Salisbury
District Council
PO Box 2117
Salisbury
SP2 2DF