The Salisbury Area Board met to elect a chair and vice-chair, and to appoint a representative to the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG). Councillor Paul Sample JP was elected as Chairman and Councillor Ricky Rogers was elected as Vice Chairman. Councillor Brian Dalton was appointed as the lead member for the LHFIG for 2025/26.

Appointment of LHFIG Representative

Councillor Brian Dalton was appointed as the lead member for the Salisbury LHFIG for 2025/26. Councillor Ricky Rogers moved the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Alan Bayliss.

Councillor Rogers commented that in previous years it had been better when a representative remained in role for a period of 4 years, rather than being replaced each year. The Board noted that the Terms of Reference of the LHFIG state that the Lead Representative is an annual appointment and that all Area Boards must therefore reappoint to the position each year.

Councillor Dalton noted that the budget available to all LHFIG’s for 2025/26 was currently half of the previous year’s allocation, due to half of the funding stream not having been confirmed. The Board agreed to seek further information on budget allocations ahead of the next meeting on 3 July 2025 and report back with an update to confirm the funding situation.

The LHFIG operates as an informal working group making recommendations to the Area Board for approval. According to the LHFIG terms of reference:

The LHFIGs have no formal decision-making authority on operational matters or budget expenditure but act as an informal discussion forum making recommendations to the Area Board.

Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman

Councillor Paul Sample JP was elected as Chairman of Salisbury Area Board for 2025/26. Councillor Brian Dalton moved the motion to nominate Councillor Sample, and Councillor Ricky Rogers seconded it.

Councillor Ricky Rogers was elected as Vice Chairman of Salisbury Area Board for 2025/26. Councillor Brian Dalton moved the motion to nominate Councillor Rogers, and Councillor John Wells seconded it.

The Election of Area Board Chairs Procedure 2025 states that:

In the event of only one valid nomination being received the person presiding will declare the nominated Member elected.