The Calne Area Board met to discuss community issues, funding, and future plans, with a focus on collaboration and local engagement. The board approved funding for several community projects, discussed ongoing concerns such as the Calne smell, and planned for future initiatives. Councillor Ashley O'Neill, Calne Rural, was welcomed as the new Chairman, and the board agreed on a list of outside bodies to which they would appoint members.

Community Funding

The board approved several community area grants:

• Calne Town Football Club was awarded £5,000 for replacement LED floodlights.
• Calne Bike Meet received £962.88 for infrastructure improvements.
• Derry Hill and Studley Village Hall Trust was granted £5,000 for roof repairs at Lansdowne Hall.
• Alzheimer's Support was awarded £1,250 for the Calne Dementia Dome project, which aims to raise awareness of dementia among young people.

The board also noted a previously approved delegated funding award of £200 to the Calne Reconnecting Group for the Calne Voices Survey of Older People.

Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG)

The board approved recommendations from the LHFIG, including adding several issues to the priority schemes list:

• Cherhill Middle Lane road markings (£200)
• Heddington Church Road road markings (£100)
• Compton Bassett village gates and nameplates (£4,480)
• Heddington deer warning signs (£245)

The board also agreed to close several issues, including speed limits in A4 Studley, Foxham, and Calne Sandpit Road, as well as a road crossing at Calne School. Additionally, funding of £5,000 was uncommitted from the Derry Hill to Studley Shared Use Path Improvements project. The LHFIG Terms of Reference were noted.

Community Concerns and Updates

• Calne Smell: Councillor Sam Pearce-Kearney, Portfolio Holder for Safeguarding and Young People, reported on a public meeting addressing the ongoing odour issues related to the local landfill operated by The Hills Group. Residents voiced their concerns, and representatives from The Hills Group committed to capping landfill cells by the end of July to alleviate the odour. Residents were encouraged to report smells to the Environment Agency.
• Wiltshire Community Air Network: Councillor Ian Thorn, Leader of the Council, praised the Wiltshire Community Air Network trial at Holy Trinity CE Academy and encouraged community areas to participate in data collection. The Wiltshire Community Air Network May 2025 document outlined the citizen science air quality monitoring project that will place low-cost air quality sensors in communities across Wiltshire for one year.
• Violence Against Women and Girls: The board noted the written update on Violence Against Women and Girls, highlighting ongoing efforts to tackle violence against women and girls.
• Road Safety: The board noted the Road Safety Update June 2025, which included information on the Fatal 5 education campaign, community road safety team activities, and traffic survey results.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

The board received a report from Ros Griffiths, Strategic Engagement & Partnerships Manager, on strategic and local work, including the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector and Wiltshire Council framework, employment opportunities for residents with SEND¹, the Wiltshire Youth framework, tackling food insecurity, and social value opportunities.

Each councillor then highlighted key challenges and opportunities in their respective divisions:

• Councillor Augusta Urquhart-Nicholls, Calne Chilvester & Abberd, noted parking issues, low voter turnout, an ageing demographic, concerns about air quality, and a desire to revitalise the High Street.
• Councillor Mike Sankey, Calne North, praised councillor training, discussed using an empty caretakers bungalow for housing, and mentioned upcoming work on the A3102 bypass.
• Councillor Sam Pearce-Kearney, Calne South, raised concerns about protecting green spaces, traffic congestion, a lack of infrastructure with housing developments, and opportunities for young people.
• Councillor Ashley O'Neill, Calne Rural, highlighted rural speeding, drainage and flooding, access to rural bus services, and excessive housing developments.

Other Updates and Information

• Shared Lives: The board watched a video about the Shared Lives service and discussed recruitment efforts in the north of the county.
• Age UK: The board was provided with the Age UK April 2025 Newsletter, which contained information about the Big Knit campaign, wellbeing checks with meals, and other initiatives.
• Community First: The board was provided with the Community First Update June 2025, which included updates on youth action, outdoor education, carers together, community organising, and village halls.
• Calne Town Council: The board was provided with the Calne Town Council update, which included information on council leadership, community engagement, odour issues, community initiatives, upcoming events, floral planting, and volunteering opportunities.
• Derry Hill and Studley Parish Council: The board was provided with the Derry Hill and Studley Parish Council update, which included information on the Community Governance Review, new play equipment, traffic calming measures, and public rights of way improvements.
• Calne Community Safety Forum: The board was provided with the Calne Community Safety Forum minutes, which included updates from the police, CCTV team, Neighbourhood Watch, and other partners.

Future Actions

The board agreed to appoint members to outside bodies at the next meeting and encouraged councillors to work closely with the Engagement and Partnerships team on local planning.