The Calne Area Board meeting on 3 February 2026 addressed a range of community issues, including road safety, future Area Board models, and the allocation of grant funding. Key decisions included the approval of funding for several community projects and the addition of new schemes to the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group's priority list.

Road Safety and Infrastructure

Significant discussion centred on road safety and infrastructure improvements across the Calne area. The Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) recommended adding several new issues to its priority schemes list, including the installation of posts for Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) in Foxham (£507.50), bus stop poles and flags in Cherhill (£315.00), and new street nameplates for Calne's Woodland Park and The Woodlands (£599.00). Several existing issues were closed, including deer warning signs in Heddington, bus stops at Calne Beversbrook, and direction signs to the Calne scout hall.

Concerns were raised about the condition of roads in Bremhill Parish, exacerbated by winter weather and increased traffic from the closure of Lyneham Banks. Cllr Isabel McCord highlighted that the poor road surfaces had led to multiple tyre bursts, and expressed worry about the impact of heavy lorries using these roads following the closure of the Lower Compton household recycling centre.

The A4 at Cherhill was identified as a significant speeding issue, with traffic surveys revealing average speeds of 61mph in a 60mph zone, and 52.4% of vehicles exceeding the speed limit. The LHFIG noted that a 40mph limit was unlikely to be respected, and a proposal to narrow the running lanes was considered.

The Calne Town Council's request for parking reviews at various locations, including Station Road and Shelburne Road, was noted. Additionally, the need for improved signage to direct visitors to the Calne Scout Hall was addressed, with the Area Board noting that signs had already been installed centrally.

Future of Area Boards and Community Engagement

Cllr Mel Jacob, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Communities, Engagement, and Corporate Services, provided an update on the review of the Area Board model. The review aims to improve consistency across Wiltshire's Area Boards, with a focus on reducing the number of formal business meetings from four to three per year and reallocating resources to more informal community engagement and project support. Proposed name changes for Area Boards include Community Area Networks, Local Community Assemblies, and Community Action Partnerships. The review will also examine the grant funding model, potentially consolidating the three existing streams into a single, more versatile fund, and explore options like crowdfunding and a central Wiltshire Council Community Fund.

Grant Funding Allocations

The Area Board approved several grant applications:

• Older and Vulnerable Adult's Grants:
  • Wiltshire Community Care Calne User Involvement Network received £500 for administrative support for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Meetings and another £500 for administrative support for Calne Voices.
  • Calne Seniors Reconnecting Group was awarded £3,000 to support their activities aimed at reducing social isolation and improving the health and wellbeing of older residents.
• Young People's Grants:
  • Open Blue Trust received £3,550 for their Open Blue Calne Youth project, which provides a safe space for young people aged 11-13 to socialise and engage in activities.

Police and Crime Commissioner Update

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson OBE, MPhil delivered an update covering police funding, operational performance, and national policy changes. He highlighted Wiltshire Police's strong performance despite being one of the lowest-funded forces nationally, attributing this to efficiency improvements. Mr. Wilkinson expressed concerns about potential government funding cuts and the impact of national policing reforms on local policing. He also discussed the development of a new southern policing hub and the use of technology, including drones and an app for shops to report incidents directly to call handlers.

Other Matters

The Area Board noted information items including updates on the School Streets Programme, the reopening of Calne High Street, forthcoming traffic signal refurbishments, and opportunities from Wiltshire Money. The Children and Young People Health and Wellbeing Survey and Youth Council elections were also highlighted.

An extraordinary meeting was scheduled for 5 February to discuss the household recycling centre at Lower Compton, following a decision to keep it open beyond August 2026. Concerns were also raised about potential changes to three-weekly waste bin collections.

The Area Board also heard updates from various partner organisations, including the Neighbourhood Police Team, Calne Town Council, and several parish councils, covering a range of local issues from road conditions to community projects.