The Warminster Area Board met to discuss community issues, funding requests, and local priorities. The board approved several grants for local initiatives, discussed concerns about speeding and anti-social driving, and received updates from community partners such as the Warminster Health and Wellbeing Forum and Wiltshire Police.

Area Board Funding

The board approved several community area grants, older and vulnerable people grants and young people grants:

• Sutton Veny Village Hall was awarded £5,000 towards solar PV panels and a battery to support the venue as a warm space, on the condition that the funding would be returned if the project secured full funding from other sources.
• Warminster Cricket Club received £2,150 for facia and soffit refurbishment.
• Alzheimer's Support was granted £2,500 for the Old Silk Works Dementia Day Club.
• The Warminster Area Health and Wellbeing Forum was awarded £1,650 for the Warminster Area Health and Wellbeing Fair 2026 and a wellbeing booklet.
• Maiden Bradley Memorial Hall received £500 for community Friday coffee mornings.
• Maiden Bradley Parish News was granted £500 for the parish newsletter.
• HomeStart South Wiltshire was awarded £1,200 to support families.
• Warminster Youth Club received £5,000 for core costs.
• The Youth Adventure Trust was granted £4,000 to support disadvantaged young people in Warminster.

Wiltshire Police Update

Inspector Lou Oakley of Wiltshire Police provided an update on local policing priorities, including retail crime, anti-social behaviour, theft from vehicles, organised crime, and road safety.

A discussion was held regarding concerns about dangerous driving and modified loud exhausts in Warminster and surrounding areas. Inspector Oakley addressed residents' frustrations, explaining that while speeding had not been a priority due to a lack of data, the police were aware of the issues and had taken action against a driver causing anti-social behaviour. She encouraged residents to report incidents and footage to the police, either online, by calling 101, or by contacting the Neighbourhood Policing Team directly.

Community Engagement and Partnership Update

Liam Cripps, Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager (SEPM), presented a report on the strategic and local work of the Engagement and Partnerships team. The report highlighted the team's role in delivering the council's business plan at a local level, including work related to the voluntary sector, employment opportunities for residents with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the cost-of-living crisis, and environmental initiatives. The team is also developing an engagement toolkit to improve community engagement and decision-making.

Local Highway and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG)

Councillor Bill Parks introduced the minutes and recommendations from the LHFIG meeting held on 16 June 2025. The board approved the minutes and spending recommendations.

Partner Updates

• David Reeves from the Warminster Health and Wellbeing Forum reported on a volunteering event planned for 2 September 2025, and the forum's ongoing efforts to restore a third pharmacy to Warminster.
• A representative from Heytesbury Parish Council sought clarity on the process for setting up a speed indication device (SID).
• Chapmanslade Footpath Volunteers provided an update on their work to improve rights of way, including challenges related to a lack of response from council officers.
• The Area Board noted a written update from Spurgeon's.

Other Business

The board appointed Councillor Christopher Newbury as the Area Board Environment Lead and Councillor Andrew Davis as the Area Board Youth Lead. Councillor Bill Parks was appointed to the Warminster & Villages Community Area Partnership, and Councillor Andrew Davis to the Warminster and Westbury CCTV Committee and the Warminster Local Youth Network (LYN).

The board deferred the Community Area Update and Discussion - Part II item to the next meeting.

Wiltshire Community Air Network

The Wiltshire Community Air Network is a citizen science project that will place over 100 low-cost air quality sensors in communities across Wiltshire for a year, measuring PM2.5¹ air pollution. The council will allocate sensors based on population size, prioritising schools, NHS medical settings, supported housing, and locations near known or suspected PM2.5 sources. Data from the sensors will be publicly available online.

Age UK Wiltshire Newsletter

The board received the April 2025 newsletter from Age UK Wiltshire, which included a message from the CEO, news and updates, and information on how to help the organisation.

VCSE and Wiltshire Council Framework

The board received a briefing note on the new strategic partnership framework between Wiltshire Council and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector. The framework aims to improve engagement and communication, increase understanding of roles, and identify areas for collaboration.

Community First Update

The board received a monthly update from Community First, covering various programmes and services, including Youth Action Wiltshire, outdoor education, Carers Together Wiltshire, and community organising.

Understanding Dementia Sessions

The board was informed about Alzheimer's Support's dementia awareness programme, which offers one-hour workshops to community groups and businesses to help people understand dementia and how to support those affected.

BSW Together (Integrated Care System) Update

The board received an update from BSW Together (Integrated Care System), covering the spring booster vaccination programme and drop-in sessions for the new Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre.

Wiltshire Police VAWG Quarterly Update

The board received a quarterly report on Wiltshire Police's efforts to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), including work with the Ending VAWG Coalition Wiltshire (E-VAWG), Stalking Awareness Week, and Project Vigilant.

Local Sponsorship Request for SEND Fest 2025

The board was informed about a local sponsorship request for SEND Fest 2025.