Decision details

This report sets out decisions requested from Salisbury Area Board on 10 March 2022.

Online Area Board meetings have been accessible to the public via Microsoft Teams for those wishing to take part and contribute to discussions on grant funding, decisions on delegations and key priorities. In addition, meeting recordings could be viewed through a link provided on the agenda and meeting page from the council website (published 5 clear days in advance).

This report seeks a decision from the Leader of the Council to confirm decisions, following the discussions and recommendations at the Area Board meetings held online. It has not been possible for all Area Boards to formally make the decisions at this time, as they have not met in person based on public-health advice relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I approve that all funding decisions, decisions on delegations, and key priorities taken at Salisbury Area Board on 10 March 2022 be approved, up to a limit of £5,000 per application.

Details of all funding applications considered by the Area Board are available via the links to supporting documents below.

If you would like to make any representations to me on this issue please do so by 27 April 2022 via the relevant Area Board or c/o Democratic Services Officer matthew.hitch@wiltshire.gov.uk.

To ensure community priorities are met by the projects identified by allowing determination of Area Board funding decisions in a timely manner.

Since not all formal (in-person) Area Board meetings have been taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic it is considered that determination by the Leader (following recommendation from the Area Board) ensures timely and transparent decision-making with local area input.

An alternative option would be for the Leader to make the decisions following recommendation from the local members, however the proposed process is preferred as it also allows for discussion with the public about grant applications at online meetings. 

Salisbury Area Board’s funding decisions were considered on their merits and in light of representations received from Area Board members and the public during the 5-day consultation period ahead of the meeting, and any raised during the meeting. The Leader has also taken constitutional advice since the meeting to ensure that all recommendations meet the relevant grant criteria.

Upon receipt of the recommendations from the Area Board it has been found that three Community Area Grant recommendations fall outside of capital grant criteria:

• Families Out Loud, grant value of £2,905

• Salisbury City Boxing, grant value of £996.47

• Salisbury Pride UK, grant value of £3,400

In addition, the Area Board initiative recommendation for £7,085.41, towards a street name repair programme, has been found not to meet the required threshold to receive funding in excess of the £5,000 as outlined in grant spending criteria.

As there were no further meetings of Salisbury Area Board before the end of the financial year at which to determine the allocation of the remaining funding, the Leader intends to honour the recommended grants up to a limit of £5,000 per grant application. To ensure compliance with grant criteria, the three grant recommendations listed above that fall outside of the capital grant criteria will be awarded using revenue funding.

The Leader will make funding decisions, delegations and agreed priorities following discussion and reflecting subsequent questions of the Area Board members, members of the public and after taking constitutional advice from officers.

All items will be detailed within the agenda packs for the relevant Area Board and available to view online (available 5 days prior to the meeting). Members of the public wishing to make representations on the decisions should feed this in at the relevant Area Board meeting to be factored into the Board’s recommendation to the Leader. An account of any feedback and recommendations made at each Area Board will be presented to the Leader.