A POLL is going to be held on whether or not the city council can increase its share of the council tax by more than five per cent in the future. 

It comes after an ill-tempered second parish meeting was held in the Guildhall. 

The first meeting in February ended in confusion, when the requirements for a poll were not met. 

This is all because of the 43.8 per cent precept increase for Band D properties in Salisbury. 

The question on the poll will be: 

Do you support a five per cent cap on future increases to the Salisbury City Council precept and a parish consultation if any proposed increase is larger than five per cent?

It will be held like a regular election, with polling stations and an official count. Everyone on the electoral roll in Salisbury will be eligible to vote. 

The results of the poll will not be legally binding, and the administration can decide to ignore them, if it wants. 

It will cost around £17,500 to hold but it's the first of its kind so this number is an estimate.

The poll will be held within 14-25 days of the meeting tonight, March 15.

Cllr Charles McGrath said this cost could be covered by all city councillors waiving their yearly allowance.

"There is a moral obligation for us as councillors to put democracy before lining our own pockets", he said. 

"All councillors should refrain from taking their allowance this year and use that £17,500 to contribute towards a parish poll."