The Chippenham and Villages Area Board were scheduled to meet to discuss community grants, partnership updates, and various local initiatives. The agenda included updates from partners such as Wiltshire Police and Community First, as well as consideration of grant applications for community projects. Councillors were also expected to make appointments to outside bodies and discuss the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG).

Area Board Funding

The Area Board was scheduled to consider several grant applications from different organisations. The total remaining budget for community area grants was £34,104, for youth grants £29,553, and for older and vulnerable people grants £7,700.

The applications included:

• Zero North Wiltshire: A request for £5,000 towards a community energy website and promotional equipment. Zero North Wiltshire (ZNW) is a volunteer-run Community Benefit Society aiming to generate renewable electricity locally and support community environmental and climate change projects. The funding would support ZNW's communications and engagement efforts related to a ground mounted solar PV scheme at Forest Gate, near Chippenham. According to the report pack, the solar project is due to be completed in the summer of 2026. Additional information from Councillor Dr Nick Murry stated that Zero North Wiltshire may apply to the Calne Area Board for funding, as the Forest Gate project is located just outside Chippenham and in the Calne area.
• Wilts and Berks Canal Trust: A request for £3,947 for a sewage treatment plant for the Carpenters Workshop at Pewsham Locks. The Wilts and Berks Canal Trust is restoring the Carpenters Workshop, a heritage building at Pewsham Locks in Chippenham. The sewage treatment plant is required to process liquid kitchen and toilet waste from modern toilets that will be installed in the building for use by schools, youth groups, and community groups.
• Sheldon Student Opportunity Fund: A request for £4,305 for the development of outdoor seating areas for local clubs and the school community at Sheldon School. The funding would be used to purchase five picnic-style tables with benches made from 100% recycled plastic. These tables would be placed in areas of the school grounds used by community groups and organisations.
• Sheldon Road Methodist Church: A request for £1,850 for a Disadvantaged Youth Support Programme. The program provides a residential holiday for 25 youngsters and group activities with their siblings and parents throughout the year in conjunction with Heals of Malmesbury.
• Public Art Chippenham: A request for £447.55 for a Pride Pavement Rainbow. Public Art Chippenham requested funding for materials to temporarily chalk the wide kerbstones along Chippenham High Street in rainbow colours during the Pride parade.
• Teen Takeover 2025: A request for £5,000 for the Teen Takeover 2025 event. Following the success of the first Teen Takeover event in April 2024, the Area Board was scheduled to consider funding for a second event on the weekend of 18th and 19th October 2025. The event aims to showcase opportunities available to young people in the community and introduce new activities.

Appointments

The Area Board was scheduled to appoint councillor representatives to outside bodies, including the Chippenham Multi-Agency Forum, Chippenham Town Team, Chippenham Arts Team, Chippenham Pride, Chippenham Climate Forum, Chippenham Parish Forum, and Community Safety Forum.

The Board was also scheduled to note the terms of reference for the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG) and consider appointing a lead member to the group.

Community Engagement and Partnership Update

The Engagement and Partnerships service was scheduled to provide an update on its strategic and local work. According to the report pack, the service aims to connect the community with the council, strengthen joint working between Wiltshire Council, its partners, and residents.

Key workstreams mentioned in the report include:

• Delivering the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector and Wiltshire Council framework¹.
• Delivering employment opportunities for residents with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Implementing the Wiltshire Youth Framework action plan.
• Tackling food insecurity and other cost of living effects.
• Facilitating Social Value opportunities.

Partner Updates

The Area Board was scheduled to receive written updates from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, Wiltshire Age UK, and Parish Forum Notes. Verbal updates from representatives of other community groups were also expected.

The Wiltshire Police update included information on the Ending VAWG Coalition Wiltshire, Stalking Awareness Week, Project Vigilant, and stalking training. According to the report, Wiltshire Police has invested in further training and awareness with all officers and staff to improve their understanding of how a victim of stalking can be best supported.

The Age UK Wiltshire newsletter included information on a new partnership with KFR offering home clearance services, updates on the Padwell Road Day Centre, and the Big Knit campaign.

Wiltshire Community Air Network

The Environmental Control & Protection team were scheduled to provide an update on the Wiltshire Community Air Network, a citizen science air quality monitoring project. The project involves placing more than one hundred low-cost air quality sensors in communities across Wiltshire for one year to measure PM2.5 air pollution².

Understanding Dementia Sessions

Alzheimer’s Support was scheduled to provide information on their Understanding Dementia workshops. The one-hour sessions are designed to help people find out more about dementia, how it can affect people, and the small things people can do to help.