The Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday 24 February 2026 was set to address the Wiltshire Council Budget for 2026/27 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2026/27-2028/29. This significant agenda item included consideration of various updates, amendments, and an alternative budget proposal. The meeting also included a section for public participation, where residents could raise questions and make statements on a range of council matters.

Petitions Update

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on petitions submitted to the council. This included a paper petition concerning Purton Household Recycling Centres, which had gathered approximately 96 unvalidated signatures. The response to this petition was expected to be the same as for others on the same subject.

Public Participation

A significant portion of the meeting was allocated to public participation, allowing residents to address the council. Several individuals and groups were scheduled to present questions or statements:

• Revd Dr Philip Ritcher was due to ask Councillor Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene and Flooding, for a categorical assurance that the outcomes of the Parking Tariff 2026-2028 Statutory TRO Consultation would be fully respected, even if it impacted the Council's pre-agreed budget. Councillor Smith's response indicated that all feedback would be carefully considered and that the council has a legal duty to deliver a balanced budget, with any changes to parking tariffs assumed to be cost-neutral.
• Councillor Debbie Savage, Chairman of Seend Parish Council, was scheduled to raise concerns with Councillor Martin Smith regarding the impact of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) on Seend High Street. The preamble to her question highlighted issues such as narrow footpaths, damage to listed buildings, and accident black spots. She intended to ask about the timeline for a detailed delivery plan to enforce HGV freight routing compliance and when residents could expect relief from the daily disruption. Councillor Smith's response outlined the forthcoming Freight Plan, expected in Spring 2026, which would include measures such as additional signage and engagement with freight operators.
• David Redgewell, representing the South West Transport Network and Railfuture, was scheduled to ask Councillor Martin Smith about the budget allocated for public transport, including buses, coach stations, and station improvements, under the Bus Services Act 2024. The response indicated that Wiltshire Council's revenue budget for public transport in 2026/27 would be £7.067m, with an additional £3.131m of Department for Transport (DfT) grant funding. Mr. Redgewell also planned to inquire about proposals for upgrading transport interchanges in various towns and the retention of integrated bus tickets. The response stated that a capital/bus infrastructure programme was being scoped for the next four years, with funding yet to be determined, and no proposals to withdraw integrated tickets were in place.
• Malcolm Exeter intended to question Councillor Adrian Foster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, and Housing, regarding a perceived lack of response from the Planning Enforcement Department concerning alleged breaches of planning control at a barn building associated with Application PL 2021 04663. He sought confirmation of whether there was an issue and a timeframe for receiving such statements. The response apologised for the lack of response, stating that an update had been provided and would continue, and that a retrospective planning application had been requested to regularise the unauthorised development.
• Steve Holt of Potterne Solar Action Group and Mary Gillmore of CPRE Wiltshire were scheduled to ask Councillor Adrian Foster about the council's approach to approving renewable energy schemes. They presented data suggesting Wiltshire was approving more solar and battery schemes than the grid could realistically deliver, potentially leading to land banking. They sought confirmation of the council's agreement with their data or clarification on any errors. The response indicated that in the time available, it was not possible to verify all the extensive supporting data, but the council recognised all listed schemes as approved, except for Hoopers Pool solar farm. They also planned to ask how the council ensured it did not approve schemes that were not realistically deliverable within a meaningful planning timeframe and if grid connection delays could result in long-term land banking. The response explained that connection issues were primarily a risk for development promoters and that planning inspectors took a flexible view of connection dates.
• Sue Gilbert was due to raise concerns with Councillor Martin Smith about proposed Sunday parking charges in Salisbury, arguing they would unfairly affect church attendees. She planned to ask if a park and walk car park or a Sunday Church Voucher Scheme had been considered. The response stated that no decision had been taken on parking tariff changes and that any proposals would undergo formal consultation.
• Chris Caswill intended to question Councillor Ian Thorn, Leader of the Council, regarding negotiations with Hills Waste concerning Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) and the discrepancy in extension periods for the Purton and Lower Compton HRCs. Councillor Thorn's response detailed Councillor Paul Sample's attendance at site visits and a public meeting, clarifying that contractual discussions were at officer level. He explained the differing extension periods based on the proximity of alternative HRCs for residents. Mr. Caswill also planned to ask Councillor Paul Sample, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate and Waste, about the relative costs of new HRC sites versus continuing with existing ones, and the cost-benefit analysis of a proposed booking system. Councillor Sample's response stated that cost information was commercially sensitive but provided an indicative cost for a new site. He also explained the benefits of a booking system, including demand management and reduced abuse, and estimated savings from its implementation.
• Peter Histed was scheduled to question Councillor Helen Belcher OBE, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Regeneration and Assets, regarding the withholding of important safety information related to the St Stephen's Place Multi-Storey Car Park. He also intended to ask for assurance regarding the financial capacity of Patet Ltd, the owners of Castle Place shopping centre, to execute proposed developments and their payment of business rates. The response stated that the information was commercially confidential but that works were undertaken to meet safety standards. The council was unable to comment on Patet Ltd's proposed development or confidential business rates matters. Mr. Histed also planned to question Councillor Mel Jacob, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Engagement, and Corporate Services, about the omission of a digital strategy from the budget and plan, despite its potential for significant savings. Councillor Jacob reassured that the council could set a balanced budget without an adopted digital strategy, but acknowledged its importance and confirmed work was underway to develop a new one.
• Andrew Nicolson of Wiltshire Climate Alliance intended to ask Councillor Paul Sample about the council's progress towards its net-zero carbon target and the impact of removing a green energy tariff. He also planned to inquire about the cost savings associated with removing the tariff. Verbal responses were expected for this question.

Wiltshire Council Budget 2026/27 and Medium Term Financial Strategy Update 2026/27-2028/29

This was the central item on the agenda, involving a comprehensive review of the council's financial plans. The discussion was scheduled to cover:

• Budget Addendum: Updates to the main budget report.
• Budget 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2026/27-2028/29 Report and Appendices: The core financial documents outlining the council's income and expenditure plans over the next three years.
• Report of the Finance and Procurement Select Committee: Consideration of the draft budget from a previous meeting on 27 January 2025.
• Notes from Budget Briefings: Summaries of discussions with trade union representatives and non-domestic ratepayers.
• Extract of Cabinet Minutes: Details of decisions made by the Cabinet on 3 February 2026 regarding budget updates.
• Report to Scrutiny: Updates to the budget agreed by Cabinet.
• Proposed Amendments/Alternatives to the Budget:
  • Amendment A: St Stephen's Multi-Storey Car Park proposed by Councillor Stewart Palmén, suggesting a capital budget allocation for the freehold transfer of the car park instead of a larger scheme for property investment and operations.
  • Amendment B: Council Tax Premium: Second Homes proposed by Councillor Nick Baker, suggesting the introduction of a 100% council tax premium on second homes.
  • Amendment C: Council Tax Premium: Empty Homes proposed by Councillor Nick Baker, suggesting a 100% council tax premium on properties empty for one year.
  • Alternative Budget Proposals from Councillor Richard Clewer, presented under Notice of Motion No.26-01.
  • Amendment D: Green Energy Tariff from Councillor Mike Sankey, proposed under Notice of Motion No.26-01, suggesting the removal of the green energy tariff on purchased energy.
  • Amendment E: Three Weekly Waste Collection from Councillor Ed Rimmer, proposed under Notice of Motion No.26-01, suggesting the removal of a saving related to three-weekly residual waste collections.
• Reports of the Finance and Procurement Select Committee: Consideration of draft budget updates, amendments, and alternative budget proposals from meetings held on 11 and 18 February 2026.

The Finance and Procurement Select Committee's reports detailed discussions on these updates and amendments. Key points included the decision to keep Lower Compton and Purton Household Recycling Centres open, funded by Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) funding and savings in Adult Social Care budgets. Amendments discussed included a proposal to transfer the freehold of St Stephen's Multi-Storey Car Park, the introduction of council tax premiums on second homes and empty homes, and an alternative budget proposed by Councillor Richard Clewer, which included significant savings and changes to revenue and expenditure.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget Setting 2026/27

This item involved receiving a report on the setting of the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2026/27, including dwelling rent setting and a review of the 30-year business plan.

Council Tax Setting 2026/27

The council was scheduled to receive a report on the setting of the Council Tax for the 2026/27 financial year.

Pay Policy Statement 2026/27

A report on the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 was to be received.

Notice of Motion No.26-01 – Consideration of Alternative Budget

This item was to consider an alternative budget proposal put forward by Councillors Richard Clewer and Dominic Muns. The associated documents included the alternative budget report, and amendments D (Green Energy Tariff) and E (Three Weekly Waste Collection).

Notice of Motion No.26-02 - Removal of Leader of the Council

A motion to consider the removal of the Leader of the Council, proposed by Councillors Richard Clewer and Dominic Muns, was on the agenda.

Questions from Members of the Council

The meeting was scheduled to address questions submitted by members of the council. Councillor Phil Alford intended to ask Councillor Adrian Foster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, and Housing, for an apology regarding the use of inaccurate details about the housing register in a previous announcement and a subsequent clarification. Councillor Foster's response apologised for the error in quoting the number of people on the housing register and for any offence caused.