The Chippenham and Villages Area Board meeting scheduled for 1 June 2026 was set to cover a range of community funding applications, updates from local organisations, and discussions on highway improvements. A significant item on the agenda was the consideration of a Community Asset Transfer request for the Chippenham Walled Garden Open Space.

Community Funding Applications

The board was scheduled to consider several applications for funding from various community groups. These included:

• Public Art Chippenham requested £1,270 for a doorway mural at the Citadel building.
• Youth Adventure Trust sought £4,000 to support disadvantaged young people in Chippenham through their programme of camps and activity days.
• Kandu Arts Community Project CIC applied for £5,000 to run a weekly youth music group for secondary school pupils.
• CPM Sounds CIC requested £5,000 to cover new venue hire fees and youth club costs for their Riverbank Studios project.
• Rag and Bone Arts CIC applied for £5,000 to fund their Improv and Art sessions, aimed at building confidence and career prospects for young people.
• Chippenham Corsham and Box Primary Care Network requested £1,000 towards a Health and Wellbeing Community Event.
• Wiltshire Scrapstore and Resource Centre applied for £929 for a Craft and Chat initiative for older people from Chippenham.

The board was also to note any funding awards made under the Delegated Funding Process, including an award of £1,000 to the Chippenham Corsham and Box Primary Care Network for a Health and Wellbeing Community Event.

Community Asset Transfer: Chippenham Walled Garden Open Space

A key item on the agenda was the consideration of a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) application for the Walled Garden Open Space on Charter Road, Chippenham. Presentations were scheduled from several applicants, including the 10th Chippenham Scout Group, Will Sinnott, Mr and Mrs Robertson, Mrs Walters and Mrs Dann-Gandy, and the Chippenham Borough Lands Charity. An officer review had assessed these applications against the council's CAT policy, considering public benefit, deliverability, risk, and suitability.

Updates and Information Items

The board was scheduled to receive a variety of written updates and information items, including:

• An update from the Clinical Commissioning Group and BSW Together (Integrated Care Board), detailing their five-year strategic commissioning plan and the development of Neighbourhood Health in Wiltshire. This included information on blood pressure roadshows, progress on mobile dental clinics, and the Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre.
• An update from Community First, highlighting their work with young carers, youth clubs, village halls, and initiatives like Voice It, Hear It and Building Bridges . They also provided a ten-year review of their Link Schemes, titled One Million Miles: The Link Story (2015–2025) .
• An update from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), outlining their services and activities across Wiltshire.
• Information on Wiltshire Money Events and Training Opportunities, managed by Wiltshire Citizens Advice, aimed at supporting financial inclusion.
• A briefing note on the Wiltshire Faith Communities Network, focusing on strengthening its impact and engagement.
• Information on the Connect to Work Programme and Skills Bootcamps, designed to help individuals with health conditions or other barriers return to work or retrain.
• A call to action from Wessex Community Action regarding the challenges facing Wiltshire's voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, highlighting financial strain and rising demand.
• A quarterly report from Wiltshire Police on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), detailing efforts in tackling stalking and domestic abuse, and the evolution of Project Vigilant .
• Notes from the Parish Forum and updates from Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG)

The board was asked to note the minutes and consider any recommendations from the last LHFIG meeting. Several recommendations for highway improvements were listed, including:

• A proposed speed limit reduction on the A420 The Shoe (£13,000).
• Proposals for Dropped Kerbs in Chippenham (£9,000).
• Improvements at the Biddestone Lane junction, Yatton Keynell (£3,250).
• Works on The Causeway, Chippenham (£8,000).
• An ANPR survey for Wood Lane, Chippenham (£1,750).
• New Road markings on Biddestone Church Road (£800).

Other Business

The agenda also included the election of a Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the upcoming year, receiving apologies, confirming minutes of the previous meeting, and an opportunity for public questions. The board was also to consider the appointment of representatives to outside bodies for 2026-2027 and review the Terms of Reference for the LHFIG. Updates on the Area Board's Action Plan were also scheduled.