The Conservatives appear to be in complete disarray.  At a meeting of the Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee last Friday at County Hall, chaos was erupting in their ranks.

Not only were their councillors questioning what is in place if “Area Boards” do not work (the Tory ‘flagship’ in their Unitary bid), but one even announced that he will be standing against an official Conservative Candidate in the forthcoming elections!  They seem to be split right down the middle about the Unitary Council.

Elections to the new City Council have been called and will take place on June 4th.  Voting will take place between 7am & 10pm.  For details, please click:  http://www.salisburycitycouncil.gov.uk/images/PDF/salisbury-city-counci-notice-of-election.pdf

Residents in Harnham will have 3 votes in the Parish election to the City.

Harnham will be a very clear contest between local Liberal Democrat candidates and the Conservatives.

More details will follow here over the next two weeks or so.

The next Planning Committee will meet on May 7th, 6pm in the City Hall. 

To see the Agenda click: http://194.72.162.210/documents/dscgi/ds.py/Get/File-21376/Agenda.doc

For the Planning Applications click:  http://194.72.162.210/documents/dscgi/ds.py/Get/File-21378/Item_No.06_-_Planning_Applications.pdf

Please click on this link, which will take you to the weekly Planning Applications:  http://www.salisbury.gov.uk/planning/development-control/weekly-planning-applications.htm

Wiltshire Council have approved just six additional Transport schemes ACROSS WILTSHIRE for 2009-10.  Please click on link to see the list in full.

http://194.72.162.210/documents/dscgi/ds.py/Get/File-21273/ETED-009-09_-_Local_Transport_Plan_Programme_-_Appendix_1.doc

 Click here to see those schemes that have been approved:

http://194.72.162.210/documents/dscgi/ds.py/Get/File-21274/ETED-009-09_-_Local_Transport_Plan_Programme_-_Appendix_2.doc

 Other schemes will, yet again, remain on the reassessment list, to be looked at in the next financial year.

In nearly 14 years, i have never had so many complaints over Council Tax.

The Conservatives allege that they are saving nearly £9million this year alone, by moving to a Unitary Council.

• Residents are rightly asking where are these savings being made?
• Have these figures been plucked out of the air?
• Why has my Bill gone up 6½% in the City?
• We are paying more in South Wiltshire and getting less?
• My Bill states a £53 saving per Band D house - where is my £53 reduction?

Savings or Pie in the Sky?  The electorate will decide on June 4th.

The first meeting of the Planning Committee will take place on:

Thursday 16th April, 6pm, at the City Hall.

This is an interim arrangemant until the June elections, made up of 15 former Salisbury District Councillors, who have had planning experience.  I am a member of this Committee, along with my former East Harnham councillor colleague, Cheryl Hill.

Click here for the Agenda and Planning Applications:

http://194.72.162.210/documents/dscgi/ds.py/View/Collection-1652

For the Minutes of this meeting, please click:  http://194.72.162.210/documents/dscgi/ds.py/Get/File-21383/Item_No.02_-_Minutes_of_the_Previous_Meeting.doc

Well the time has now come to say good-bye to Salisbury District Council, which has served South Wiltshire well since 1974.

Also to say good-bye to my colleague and friend, Murial Tomlinson, who, along with me, has now ceased to be a district councillor, since first being elected in 1995.  We’ve had 14 good years together.

I remain as a County Councillor until June 8th and all functions of SDC now ‘transfer’ to all County Councillors.

And now it’s hello to Wiltshire Council.