The Malmesbury Area Board met on Tuesday 30 June 2026 to discuss a range of community matters, including funding applications, local infrastructure improvements, and updates from key partners. The meeting also included a community spotlight presentation and opportunities for public participation.

Area Board Funding

The board was scheduled to consider several applications for funding. Under the Community Area Grants, applications included £5,000 for Malmesbury Cricket Club to upgrade changing rooms, £2,498 for Alderton Village Hall to update facilities, £855 for Minety Village Hall for a defibrillator, £2,500 for the Dauntsey Parochial Church Council's Bell and Clock Project, £2,000 for Malmesbury Abbey PCC for town clock chimes refurbishment, £900 for The Last Baguette Theatre Company CIC for lighting and craft equipment, and £1,600 for HEALS of Malmesbury for a new website.

For Young People Grants, applications included £1,487 for Wessex Archaeology Ltd for their Archaeology in Nature event and £2,000 for HEALS of Malmesbury's Summer Activity Programme. A delegated funding award of £1,000 to Age UK Wiltshire for a Malmesbury Daytime Disco for residents aged 55 and over was also noted. The remaining budgets were £17,069 for Community Area Grants, £6,500 for Older and Vulnerable People Grants, and £15,309 for Young People Grants.

Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG)

The board was to receive and consider recommendations from the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG) meeting held on 2 June 2026. The report detailed numerous ongoing and proposed schemes, including speed limit reviews and traffic calming measures in Sherston, Ashton Keynes, Leigh, Willesley, and Brinkworth. Other items included requests for new road markings, footpath improvements, and the installation of Speed Indication Devices (SIDs) in various locations across the Malmesbury area. The report also highlighted the financial position of the LHFIG, with a total budget of £43,204 for 2026-27 and a current balance of £30,134 after committed schemes.

Community Safety Forum

The notes from the Community Safety Forum meeting on 11 May 2026 were scheduled for review. Discussions were expected to cover topics such as new speed camera technology, differences in police speeding enforcement sessions, the use of social media by the Neighbourhood Policing Team, and issues related to rural crime, anti-social behaviour, and the effectiveness of CCTV.

Written Updates and Information Items

Several written updates were scheduled for noting by the board. These included the Spring 2026 update from Wiltshire Police concerning Violence Against Women and Girls, a monthly update from Community First for April 2026, a briefing note on the Connect to Work Programme and Skills Bootcamps, a call to action from Wessex Community Action regarding the pressures on the voluntary and community sector, a briefing note on the Wiltshire Faith Communities Network, information on the Wiltshire Community Lottery launch, and details of the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Key Partner Updates

Updates were expected from Wiltshire Police and various Town and Parish Councils.

Community Spotlight

A presentation was scheduled from Carers Together Wiltshire.

Appointments

The board was due to appoint lead members to Outside Bodies, working groups, and the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG) for the 2026/27 period. This included appointing a lead member to the role of Area Board Environment Lead and Youth Lead.

Area Board Funding Success Stories

A brief update on the success of previously awarded grant funding was to be presented.

Action Plan Updates

Updates were to be provided by Lead Councillors and Officers on the local Area Board action plan, covering priorities such as establishing a Men's Shed, developing the Public Living Room, addressing food poverty, and improving digital literacy.

Future Local Items for Discussion

An opportunity was scheduled for the identification of possible focused local items for discussion or resolution.

The meeting also included standard procedural items such as the election of a Chairman and Vice-Chairman, apologies for absence, confirmation of previous minutes, and declarations of interest.