The Salisbury Bemerton Community Board has been successfully established, marking another important milestone in the delivery of the government’s Pride in Place programme and its long-term vision for the area. The programme could bring up to £20 million of investment to Salisbury Bemerton over the next decade, supporting community-led regeneration and improvements that matter most to local people.

Following a recruitment process, the Community Board has now been appointed and comprises 13 members in total. The Board is chaired by Tom Belshaw, who is independent of Wiltshire Council and was appointed at the end of May to lead the partnership and help ensure local people remain at the heart of decision-making.

The Chair has co-opted The Rt Hon John Glen MP and Cllr Ricky Rogers, Wiltshire Council’s Salisbury Fisherton & Bemerton Village Ward councillor onto the Board to support its work and strengthen links with the local communities. The remaining members are made up of local residents, businesses, community organisations and public sector partners to help shape the future of Salisbury Bemerton. The Board will play a central role in developing a shared 10-year vision for the area, setting priorities and overseeing investment that supports the Pride in Place programme aims of stronger communities, thriving places and greater local empowerment.

The Board held its inaugural meeting on 9 July, during which members approved the Board’s Terms of Reference and agreed to extend the investment boundary to include local primary schools (Bemerton St John’s and Pembroke Park), Salisbury and South Wiltshire Sports Club, additional recreational and associated community assets including Pembroke Garden and Lower Bemerton Recreational Ground. Since its first meeting the Board have been developing plans to engage with the community around development priorities.

Cllr Mel Jacob, Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “The establishment of the Community Board is a significant milestone for Pride in Place Salisbury Bemerton. I am pleased to see such a strong mix of local residents, community representatives and partners coming together to help guide this great opportunity for the area.

“The Pride in Place programme is all about putting communities at the centre of decision-making and I look forward to seeing the Board lead the development of a shared vision and investment plan that delivers meaningful and lasting improvements for local people.”

The Board’s next steps include issuing a residents’ survey designed to capture a broad and representative range of views, with particular efforts to engage groups that have historically been less involved in local engagement activities. The feedback will help establish an evidence base to inform future priorities, alongside a series of community engagement activities planned for the summer.

Tom Belshaw, Independent Chair, added: “Speaking with and listening to what local residents need and want is central to developing our priorities. That’s why we’re working with our partners at Wiltshire Council to run a series of community activities over the summer. Some of this activity is designed to hear from people and groups who often get overlooked. Our survey is a great chance for all local residents, and others with a connection to the area, to have their say about what matters to them.”

The survey can be access via https://tinyurl.com/SBPiP and is live until 13 September. A flyer promoting the survey will be posted to the local community and posters will also be on display in the area reminding people to take part.