The Salisbury Area Board is holding an extraordinary meeting to elect a chair and vice-chair, and to appoint a representative to the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG).

Appointment of LHFIG Representative

The Area Board is expected to appoint a lead councillor to the LHFIG. The LHFIG operates as an informal working group that makes recommendations to the Area Board for approval.

The terms of reference for the LHFIG state that the group will normally be made up of:

• Members of the Area Board
• Town and Parish Council representatives
• Community / Stakeholder representatives

The LHFIG's terms of reference are:

1. Small-scaletransport schemes – discretionary funding To makerecommendations to the Area Board to determine priorities and levels of expenditure required for small-scale transport schemes in the community area.
2. Small scale transport schemes– substantive funding To submit bids for funding from the centrally held substantive funds.

The LHFIG can fund pedestrian and cycle improvements, bus infrastructure, traffic signage, new road markings, speed limits, waiting restrictions, footpath improvements, drainage and street lighting. It cannot fund routine maintenance, service subsidies, promotional campaigns, SID equipment¹ or improvements for individuals and properties.

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

The meeting will include the election of a chairman and vice-chairman for the forthcoming year. According to the constitution, the Democratic Services representative will call for nominations for the position of chairman and preside over the election. A member's nomination must be seconded to be valid, and a member cannot be nominated in their absence without their written consent.

In the event of only one valid nomination being received, the person presiding will declare the nominated member elected. If there are two valid nominations, the Democratic Services representative will ask for a show of hands and declare the candidate receiving the majority of votes the winner. In the case of an equality of votes, the Democratic Services representative will draw lots to break the tie.

If there are three or more valid nominations, the Democratic Services Representative will call for a show of hands for each of the candidates. The candidate with the least number of votes will be eliminated, and a further vote will be taken for the remaining candidates. This process will continue until only two candidates remain, and a final vote is taken.

The newly elected chairman will then preside over the election of the vice-chairman in the same manner.