The Chippenham and Villages Area Board met on Monday 1 June 2026 to discuss a range of community funding applications, local highways improvements, and a significant community asset transfer request. The meeting also included updates from various partner organisations and a review of ongoing action plans.

Funding Applications

The Area Board was scheduled to consider several applications for funding from its Community Area Grant, Young People, and Older & Vulnerable People grant streams.

• Public Art Chippenham – Doorway Mural at the Citadel Building: An application for £1,270 was listed for a public art project involving a doorway mural at the Citadel building, working with local charity Doorway.
• Youth Adventure Trust – Supporting Disadvantaged Young People in Chippenham: An application for £4,000 was to be considered to support programme costs for young people on the Youth Adventure Programme, including residential camps and mentoring.
• Kandu Arts Community Project CIC – Youth Music Group: A request for £5,000 was scheduled for a weekly youth music group for secondary school pupils, providing a safe space for musical exploration and rehearsal.
• CPM Sounds CIC – Riverbank Studios New Venue Hire Fees and Youth Clubs: An application for £5,000 was to be reviewed to cover rent and staff costs for music-focused youth clubs and rehearsal spaces at a new venue.
• Rag and Bone Arts CIC – Improv and Art for Confidence and Careers: A request for £5,000 was listed to continue improvisation and art sessions, integrating them into live community projects and local events.
• Chippenham Corsham and Box Primary Care Network – Health and Wellbeing Community Event: An application for £1,000 was to be considered for a Health & Wellbeing Event aimed at promoting health awareness and community support.
• Wiltshire Scrapstore and Resource Centre – Craft and Chat at Wiltshire Scrapstore for Older People from Chippenham: An application for £929 was scheduled for a pilot series of Craft and Chat sessions for older people from Chippenham, focusing on company, mental wellness, and physical health.

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

Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG) Recommendations

The meeting agenda included a review of recommendations from the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG) meeting held on 31 March 2026. The following proposals were scheduled for consideration:

• A420 The Shoe Speed Limit Reduction: A recommendation for a speed limit reduction, with a total cost of £13,000 (£9,000 from LHFIG and £4,000 from Parish Council).
• Dropped Kerbs, Chippenham: A proposal for dropped kerbs with a total cost of £9,000 (£4,500 from LHFIG and £4,500 from Chippenham Town Council, subject to confirmation).
• Biddestone Lane junction, Yatton Keynell: A recommendation for junction improvements costing £3,250 (£1,950 from LHFIG and £1,300 from Parish Council, subject to confirmation).
• The Causeway, Chippenham: A proposal for improvements with a total cost of £8,000 (£4,800 from LHFIG and £3,200 from Chippenham Town Council, subject to confirmation).
• Wood Lane, Chippenham ANPR survey: A recommendation for an ANPR survey with a total cost of £1,750 (£1,050 from LHFIG and £700 from Chippenham Town Council, subject to confirmation).
• Biddestone Church Road Road markings: A proposal for road markings costing £800 (£480 from LHFIG and £320 from Parish Council, subject to confirmation).

Community Asset Transfer – Chippenham Walled Garden Open Space

A significant item on the agenda was the consideration of a request for a Community Asset Transfer for the Walled Garden Open Space, located at Charter Road, Chippenham. Presentations were scheduled from several applicants:

• 10th Chippenham Scout Group: Proposed the development of a purpose-built Scout hut.
• Will Sinnott: Applied as a private individual with a proposal for youth and education-focused use.
• Mr and Mrs Robertson: Applied as private individuals with a proposal for conservation-led stewardship.
• Mrs Walters and Mrs Dann-Gandy: Proposed to form a Community Interest Company (CIC) for an outdoor stay and play facility.
• Chippenham Borough Lands Charity (CBLC): Proposed the creation of a conservation-led community green space.

An officer review had assessed each application against the Council's Community Asset Transfer policy, considering public purpose, deliverability, risk, and suitability.

Written Updates and Information Items

The Area Board was scheduled to note several written updates and information items, including:

• Clinical Commissioning Group
• Update from BSW Together (Integrated Care Board): This update detailed the BSW Integrated Care Board's Five Year Strategic Commissioning Plan, focusing on neighbourhood-level health services, a review of urgent and emergency care, and improvements in planned care. It also highlighted the development of a Wiltshire Neighbourhood Health Plan and a blood pressure roadshow visiting Chippenham.
• Community First April 2026 Update: This provided organisational news, including vacancies and the achievement of Disability Confident Employer status. It also detailed service updates on Youth Action Wiltshire's Young Carers Service, Youth Club Support, Village Halls Week, Voice It, Hear It engagement project, Wiltshire Association of Local Councils (WALC) initiatives, community engagement through the Neighbourhood Collaborative project, community transport and link schemes, and the Building Bridges Programme.
• Alcoholics Anonymous Update: This provided an overview of AA services across Wiltshire, including weekly meetings, online and telephone support, and community engagement efforts.
• Wiltshire Money Events and Training Opportunities: This highlighted Wiltshire Money's role as the lead body for financial inclusion activity in Wiltshire and its provision of events and training opportunities for member organisations.
• Wiltshire Council Information Items:
  • Wiltshire Faith Communities Network Briefing Note: This outlined the value of the network in fostering collaboration, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and detailed objectives for strengthening its impact.
  • Wiltshire Community Lottery Launch Press Release: This announced the launch of a new initiative to generate revenue and support local good causes, with 60% of ticket sales going to good causes.
  • Connect to Work Programme and Skills Bootcamp Briefing Note: This provided information on the Connect to Work programme, designed to help individuals with health conditions or disabilities return to work, and Skills Bootcamps, short courses for retraining or upskilling.
  • Call to Action from Wessex Community Action Briefing Note: This highlighted concerns about the pressures facing Wiltshire's voluntary and community sector, including financial strain, rising demand, and reduced capacity, and outlined necessary actions to protect the sector's sustainability.
  • Wiltshire Police Violence against Women and Girls: This provided quarterly reports on the police's efforts to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), including work with the E-VAWG coalition, initiatives on stalking, and domestic abuse intensification months.

Partner Updates

The board was also scheduled to receive updates from various partners, including the Neighbourhood Policing Team, a Road Safety Update, and notes from the Parish Forum.

Appointment of Representatives 2026-2027

The meeting included a discussion on appointing lead members to outside bodies and noting the Terms of Reference for the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG).

Action Plan Updates

Updates were expected on the Area Board's priorities and action plans, focusing on local youth networks, the environment, active travel, and support for older and vulnerable adults.

The meeting also included opportunities for public questions and a Community Spotlight to highlight positive community initiatives or feedback from previous grant awards.