The Westbury Area Board meeting scheduled for 3 June 2026 was set to cover a range of community matters, including the allocation of funding to local projects, updates from key partners, and discussions on local highways and footpath improvements. The agenda also included the election of a new Chair and Vice-Chair for the upcoming year.

Area Board Funding

The board was scheduled to consider applications for funding across several streams: Community Area Grants, Youth Grants, and Older and Vulnerable People Grants. The remaining budgets for these streams were £15,984.00 for Community Area Grants, £13,726.00 for Young People, and £7,500.00 for Older and Vulnerable.

Several Area Board Initiatives were proposed:

• Future Sound of Westbury requested £2,500.00 for a youth music event programme in partnership with the Future Sound of Trowbridge project.
• Westbury Town Sustainability Fete requested £2,000.00 for an event aimed at educating residents on environmental projects and providing a social event for older and vulnerable adults.

Community Area Grant applications included:

• Westbury United Youth and Development FC requested £5,000.00 for a changing facility for their new girls' football programme.
• The Laverton Institute Trust requested £1,401.00 for the refurbishment of the William Room, a community space used for various events and support groups.
• Westbury Yarn Bombers requested £2,149.00 for a community art installation of an overhead canopy and a Poppy Veil for Remembrance commemorations.

A Youth Grant application was received from:

• Westbury Youth Club requesting £5,000.00 for core costs to support their weekly youth club for ages 11-19 (up to 25 with SEND).

Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG)

The board was to consider recommendations from the LHFIG meeting held on 30 April 2026. The minutes from this meeting detailed numerous highway and footpath improvement requests across the Westbury area, including issues related to parking, pedestrian safety, speed limits, and junction visibility.

Several specific sites were scheduled for discussion:

• Westbury Frogmore Road/Slag Lane/Hawkeridge Road: Concerns about speeding led to a recommendation for the installation of Speed Indication Devices (SIDs).
• Bratton, Court Lane: Issues regarding the structural damage to a retaining wall and HGV traffic using the road as a rat run were to be reviewed, with a CCTV survey proposed.
• Edington, Tinhead Road/B3098 junction: Visibility concerns at this junction were discussed, with ongoing efforts to improve vegetation management.
• Westbury Lanhams Close/The Butts: Parking issues leading to visibility concerns were to be addressed through a waiting restrictions review.
• Westbury Station Approach/Station Road: Pedestrian safety concerns following a serious incident were to be reviewed, with a pedestrian crossing assessment planned.
• Edington, B3098/Lower Road: Following traffic surveys indicating speeding, the installation of SIDs was recommended.
• Westbury Oldfield Road/Oldfield Park: A review of traffic calming measures, cycle lanes, and parking was to be pursued, potentially through Section 106 agreements with developers.
• Dilton Marsh High Street/Clay Close: Pedestrian safety issues due to a narrowing footway were to be addressed, with options including vegetation management or a footway link being considered.

Key Partner Updates

Updates were scheduled from Wiltshire Police, providing information on their activities and local priorities. Updates were also expected from Town and Parish Councils within the Westbury area, offering insights into local matters and concerns.

Written Updates and Information Items

The board was also to note several written updates:

• Wiltshire Police Violence Against Women and Girls quarterly report (Spring 2026): This report would detail the ongoing efforts to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
• Community First monthly update (April 2026): This would provide information on the activities and services offered by Community First.
• Briefing Note – Connect to Work Programme and Skills Bootcamps: This note would outline programmes designed to help individuals return to work or upskill.
• Briefing Note/Call to Action from Wessex Community Action: This would highlight concerns about the pressures facing Wiltshire's voluntary and community sector and propose actions to support it.
• Briefing Note - Wiltshire Faith Communities Network: This would provide information on the network's role in fostering collaboration and community cohesion.
• Wiltshire Community Lottery Launch: This item would introduce a new initiative to generate revenue for local good causes.

Community Spotlight

An opportunity was scheduled to highlight positive community initiatives, with specific mention of the Future Sound of Westbury project and the Digital Literacy Project.

Appointments

The board was to consider appointing lead members to various Outside Bodies and working groups, including an Environment Lead, Youth Lead, and a Lead Member for the LHFIG.

Action Plan Updates

Updates were to be provided on the progress of the Area Board's local action plan themes, which included supporting health and wellbeing for older and vulnerable adults, harnessing the benefits of local assets like the White Horse, a Dyslexia Awareness Raising Campaign, creating a local sports clubs network, and continuing support for positive youth activities. Recent progress on the Techy-Tea-Parties initiative and the Future Sound of Westbury project were to be discussed.