The Marlborough Area Board meeting scheduled for 26 May 2026 was set to cover a range of community matters, including updates on local policing, road safety initiatives, and grant applications for various community groups. A significant portion of the agenda was dedicated to discussing the Local Action Plan and considering appointments to external committees.

Community Governance Review

A briefing note was presented regarding the ongoing Community Governance Review¹. This review aims to assess and potentially alter the governance arrangements for town and parish councils across Wiltshire to ensure they remain reflective of local communities and operate efficiently. The review encompasses changes such as altering, merging, or abolishing parishes, renaming parishes, and adjusting parish council sizes and warding arrangements. The Marlborough area is included in this review, alongside Devizes and Royal Wootton Bassett & Cricklade. Public surveys were being conducted as part of the consultation process for specific areas, including Purton and Lydiard Millicent, Royal Wootton Bassett, and Devizes. The Electoral Review Committee would analyse survey responses to prepare draft recommendations, which would then be considered by the Full Council. Any changes implemented would take effect at the May 2029 elections.

Partner and Community Updates

The meeting was scheduled to receive updates from various partners and community organisations. These included verbal updates from Wiltshire Police Sergeant Deborah Laycock and representatives from Town and Parish Councils. Written updates were also to be noted from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, Wiltshire Police's Violence Against Women and Girls initiative, the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Community First, Wessex Community Action, the Marlborough Community Support Forum, and the Marlborough Health and Wellbeing Group.

Carers Together Wiltshire

Kirsten Kerr from AGE UK was scheduled to give a presentation on Carers Together Wiltshire². This initiative focuses on providing tailored support to unpaid carers across Wiltshire. The presentation was expected to cover the partnership's efforts to offer support, including the transition of Carer Cafés and Mental Health Cafés, and plans to partner with Dorothy House to support bereavement help points.

Community Lottery

Andrew Jack, the Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager, was due to provide a verbal update on the Community Lottery³. This initiative aims to raise funds for local good causes.

Community Area Update and Discussion

A significant item on the agenda was the discussion of the Area Board's Local Action Plan for the forthcoming year. The plan is designed to deliver the Wiltshire Council Plan at a local level, focusing on key themes such as cost-of-living support, the local youth offer, support for older and vulnerable adults, and environmental initiatives. The plan outlines specific actions linked to Wiltshire Council's priorities, including supporting people throughout their lives, ensuring safe and resilient communities, providing opportunities for young people, and enhancing the environment.

Appointments and Terms of Reference

The meeting was scheduled to address appointments and terms of reference for various groups. This included appointing a lead member to the Avebury World Heritage Site Steering Committee and considering appointments for roles within the Local Action Plan. Additionally, the terms of reference for the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG)⁴ were to be noted.

Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG)

The Area Board was to consider the notes from the LHFIG meetings held on 5 February 2026 and 7 May 2026. The meeting was also to ratify funding recommendations from the 7 May LHFIG meeting. Two specific requests were listed for ratification: a request for a bollard to protect No. 42 on Kingsbury Street, Marlborough, at a cost estimate of £2,500, and an assessment for a 20 MPH limit in West Overton, with an estimated cost of £2,900. The LHFIG process involves making recommendations to the Area Board for approval, focusing on small-scale transport schemes that improve safety, accessibility, and sustainability.

Grant Applications

The meeting was to consider various applications for funding from the Area Board's remaining budgets. The available budgets were: £15,718 for Community Area Grants, £7,500 for Older and Vulnerable People Grants, and £16,453 for Young People Grants.

Area Board Initiatives:

• Marlborough Health and Wellbeing Group was seeking £1,000 for their Recharge Café and £416.50 for their summer networking event.

Community Area Grants:

• Greatwood Charity requested £2,429 for kitchen refurbishment.
• Kennet Valley Village Hall sought £3,000 for outside paving.
• Aldbourne Band applied for £3,000 towards a new trombone.

Older and Vulnerable Grants:

• The Jubilee Centre Marlborough requested £500 for attendance subsidy and musical activities.
• Marlborough Area Poverty Action Group applied for £1,500 to support summer outings.

Young People Grants:

• Our Free Minds CIO requested £500 for running costs and a hardship fund.

The report highlighted that if all recommended grants were awarded, the Community Area Grant budget would be overspent by £1,457, the Older and Vulnerable People's Grant budget by £2,666.50, and the Young People's Grant budget by £3,617.83.

Neighbourhood Policing Team Update

An update from the Neighbourhood Policing Team was provided, detailing crime summaries for Marlborough for March and April 2026. The report indicated a stable crime picture compared to the previous year, with a slight reduction in overall offences compared to January and February. There was a significant reduction in sexual offences, but an increase in public order and vehicle crimes. The update also highlighted local priorities, including ongoing focus on theft/burglary, shoplifting, and rural crime, with plans for a Shop Watch scheme in Marlborough and increased rural patrols. The team outlined their community commitment, including regular face-to-face engagement, online communication, and increased visibility.

Wiltshire Police Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)

Reports on Wiltshire Police's efforts to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls were included. This covered work with the Ending VAWG Coalition Wiltshire (E-VAWG), initiatives to address stalking, and plans for a domestic abuse intensification month in May. Project Vigilant, an initiative to identify predatory behaviours, was also highlighted as being embedded in core training for new officers and being shared with international police forces.

Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership

An update on road safety initiatives was provided, including information on #FATAL5 education, which covers offences such as careless driving. The update detailed the work of the Community Road Safety Team and Community Speed Enforcement Officers, with specific data on speed enforcement in the Marlborough area. It also outlined the consequences of uninsured driving and its economic impact.

Wessex Community Action

A briefing note from Wessex Community Action highlighted concerns about the pressures facing Wiltshire's voluntary and community sector (VCSE). It detailed the closure of three local charities and the financial strain on others, attributing these issues to mounting financial strain and an inability to secure sustainable funding. The note called for increased investment in local infrastructure support, full commitment to the Wiltshire Council and VCSE Sector Partnership Framework, ensuring full-cost recovery for grants and commissions, and multi-year funding commitments where possible.

Marlborough Community Support Forum

Notes from a meeting of the Marlborough Community Support Forum were included, detailing discussions on health and wellbeing events, provision updates, and the transition from the Household Support Fund to new Crisis and Resilience Funding programmes.

Marlborough Health and Wellbeing Group Report

A report from the Marlborough Health and Wellbeing Group outlined future plans, including a networking event on 16 June 2026 at Marlborough Tennis Club and a public-facing event at the Town Hall on 3 October 2026. The group also invited local organisations to participate in the Marlborough Festival weekend.

Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) Notes

The notes from the LHFIG meetings on 5 February 2026 and 7 May 2026 were presented. These detailed numerous requests for highway and footway improvements across various locations, including speed limit reviews, parking restrictions, footway enhancements, and the installation of bollards and signage. The reports indicated the progress of these requests, including cost estimates, contributions from town and parish councils, and the status of advertising and implementation.