The Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Area Board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 28 October 2026. The meeting agenda includes discussions on funding applications for local projects, updates on highway improvements, and new funding opportunities for community initiatives. There will also be an opportunity for public questions and updates from local partners.

Funding Applications and Community Grants

The board is set to consider several applications for funding. These include requests for playground markings at Broad Hinton Primary School (ABG3017), a PA system upgrade for the Royal Wootton Bassett Sports Association (ABG3031), and support for the Boyz 2 Men and Digital Empowerment Programme by The Stay Safe Initiative CIC (ABG3030). Funding is also being sought by Age UK Wiltshire for their Celebrating Age Wiltshire project (ABG3041) and by the Friends of Broad Hinton Primary School for playground markings.

The board will also review remaining budgets for Community Area Grants, Youth Grants, and Older and Vulnerable People Grants. The current financial position shows a remaining balance of £3,489.00 for Community Area Grants, £22,114.50 for Youth Grants, and £7,300.00 for Older and Vulnerable People Grants. If all recommended grants are approved, the Community Area Grant budget would be in deficit by £1,004.00.

Further details on the grant funding system and criteria can be found on the Wiltshire Council website.

Local Highway and Footway Improvements

The board will consider recommendations from the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) meeting held on 7 October 2026. Key recommendations include allocating £5,125.25 for signs and road markings in Clyffe Pypard, with a 25% contribution from Clyffe Pypard and Bushton Parish Council. Additionally, an 'H' bar request at The Rosary is proposed to be included on the order for ad-hoc road markings for Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade for 2026/27, with no contribution required from Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council.

The LHFIG meeting minutes, available in the public reports pack, detail the progress of various highway schemes across the area, including updates on speed limit reviews, road markings, and pedestrian safety measures in locations such as Lydiard Millicent, Purton, Cricklade, and Royal Wootton Bassett.

Further information on the LHFIG process is available on the Wiltshire Council website.

New Funding Opportunities and Community Initiatives

Several new funding opportunities and initiatives linked to Area Boards are scheduled for discussion. These include updates on the Wiltshire Community Lottery, the Community Wellbeing Fund delivered via Crowdfunder, Community Resilience Hubs, and the Levy Locally Identified Infrastructure Projects (LIIPs) funding bids. The Wiltshire Voluntary Organisation of the Month award will also be discussed.

The Community Wellbeing Fund aims to support local organisations in developing community-led projects that improve wellbeing and reduce isolation. The LIIPs Fund will support capital infrastructure projects that accommodate growth and address development impacts, with bids expected to be between £50,000 and £75,000.

Briefing notes on these initiatives are available in Agenda Supplement 1 and Agenda Supplement 2.

Policing Update and Community Spotlight

An update from the Neighbourhood Policing Team is scheduled, providing information on local policing activity and priorities. This will include crime statistics for Royal Wootton Bassett, Cricklade, and Purton, as well as an update on Wiltshire Police's work regarding Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

A Community Spotlight segment will feature feedback on the Royal Wootton Bassett Skate Park Day, an event part-funded by the Area Board. Updates from Cricklade Town Council, including details on youth activities, small grants, and the refurbished phone box book exchange, will also be presented.

Other Information Items

The board will receive a written update on the proposed future Northern Household Recycling Centre, with a potential site identified south of the salt depot on Marlborough Road in Royal Wootton Bassett. The update outlines the progress of feasibility studies and the indicative timeline for the new facility, which is expected to be operational by Autumn 2029. Information on the ongoing pilot booking system at the Lower Compton and Purton Household Recycling Centres will also be provided.

Additional information items include updates on winter resilience and community emergency preparedness, the annual review of Wiltshire Highways contracts for 2025-26, and the development of the Wiltshire Faith Communities Network. An update on the Wiltshire Working Well initiative, offering mental health training for workplaces, will also be presented.

The meeting will conclude with an Ask Your Area Board session, providing an open forum for public questions and discussion.

The full agenda and supporting documents can be found on the Wiltshire Council website.