A FORMER Salisbury district councillor has put forward proposals for a “ring of Salisbury parishes” which would work together to ensure a long-term strategy for development in the area.

John King, from Laverstock, presented his idea at a Wilton Town Council meeting.

He said he believed the parishes would get better outcomes if they worked together rather than as “a host of separated components”.

He said: “At the moment we have Salisbury Area Board made up of Wiltshire councillors and we have three area boards surrounding Salisbury.

“There is no need for them to talk to Salisbury [City Council] or for them to consult with each other so there’s no overview in what happens in the 20 miles surrounding Salisbury other than by Wiltshire Council themselves and I think that’s a potential defect.”

He added: “Salisbury has 43,000 inhabitants and 23 councillors. The parishes surrounding Salisbury have 20,000 inhabitants but over 100 councillors – that’s a fantastic resource and I think the overview project can also use the considerable skills of people who live in the area and who are not councillors.

“But in no way should Wilton, or for example Laverstock or any of the other peer parishes, serve Salisbury, we should work with Salisbury.”

Mr King was involved with the development plan for the city and surrounding area before 2009, when the unitary authority Wiltshire Council was created.

He said: “I’m well aware that every parish has its own desires, plans and ambitions which should be in the parish plan or neighbourhood plan but equally every parish has councillors and the knowledge or professionals around it.

“We need these people to become a team.”

Responding to the presentation, ward councillor Peter Edge said: “It’s an interesting concept but are we going to be a talking shop which has no power?”

Depending on the response from local parishes, Mr King plans to organise a meeting on the idea next month.