Andy Munns
Salisbury City Council has voted to open negotiations with Wiltshire Council to take over Salisbury City Hall.
The decision was made on the evening of Monday, 4th September, after a 3-hour meeting at Salisbury Guildhall.
The popular venue has been closed since being used by the NHS as a vaccination centre because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are multiple issues with the building, including the ceiling in the main auditorium, which has been deemed unsafe following a survey. It is thought it will cost around £2m to return the building to a safe state ready to reopen.
The decision does not commit Salisbury City Council to taking ownership or operation of the building, but will allow a fact-finding exercise to be undertaken and begin discussions around a possible take over.
The meeting agreed to a motion from Cllr Paul Sample JP, as follows: “The Council requests that the Officers now open negotiations with Wiltshire Council to ascertain the proposed terms and conditions upon which a transfer of Salisbury City Hall from Wiltshire Council to Salisbury City Council could be achieved and to report back to members.”
All of the Lib Dem, Labour and Independent Councillors supported the motion.
The Conservative Group were split in their voting. Several of them had reservations about the motion and either voted against it or abstained, with one voting in favour.
The motion was passed with the majority of councillors voting in favour.
After the meeting, Cllr Sample said: “I am really pleased with the support from Salisbury City Council. Councillors from all of the political groups – including an Independent and a Conservative.
“Those people who listen to the arguments tend to think that Wiltshire Council should be talking to Salisbury City Council about re-opening the City Hall.
“I think we are now one step closer to re-opening it. Lots of local residents support this campaign, and I’m sure a deal is possible if Wiltshire Council behave sensibly.”
Wiltshire Council have confirmed they remain committed to reopening City Hall as an entertainment venue.
