The Melksham Area Board met to discuss community engagement, funding for local projects, and various updates from partners and council services. The board was also scheduled to discuss appointments to outside bodies and working groups. Councillors were expected to discuss and agree on their priorities for the coming year.

Community Area Funding

The Melksham Area Board was scheduled to consider two applications for community area grants. The first, from the Steeple Ashton Recreation and Community Development Group, requested £5,000 towards the £10,281.60 Steeple Ashton Village Pond Creation project. According to the application, a village survey in 2019 showed support for improvements to St Mary's playing field, including planting and a nature area. The group planned to create a clay-lined pond, approximately 10m x 10m and a maximum of 1m deep, with native plants around the margins to create habitats.

The second application, from Melksham Cricket Club, requested £5,000 towards protective fencing to the pathway, with the total project costing £18,720. The application stated that the existing fencing along the perimeter of the ground was old and deteriorated, with parts being sharp and posing a risk to the public. The club planned to replace the fencing to provide a safety barrier against cricket balls.

The board was scheduled to note the remaining budgets for community area grants, youth grants, and older and vulnerable people grants.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

The Melksham Area Board was scheduled to receive an update on community engagement and partnership work in the area. The report provided an overview of the strategic work of the Engagement and Partnerships Service, key upcoming engagement work, and the role of the service with area boards. It also included additional resources for councillors, partners, and residents.

The Engagement and Partnerships service aims to connect the community with the council, strengthen joint working between Wiltshire Council, its partners, and residents.

Key workstreams for the service included:

• Supporting older and vulnerable adults through preventative work and community care.
• Supporting communities to move from food poverty relief to community resilience, working with the Melksham Foodbank, the larder, and other partners.
• Delivering the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector and Wiltshire Council framework[^1]. [^1]: The VCSE sector includes charities, social enterprises, and other organisations that work for social or environmental purposes.
• Delivering employment opportunities for residents with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Implementing the Wiltshire Youth Framework, including asset mapping of the local youth offer and undertaking a youth needs assessment.
• Maximising social value opportunities by capturing promises made in major contracts with Wiltshire Council to invest in communities.
• Working with communities to develop renewable energy community profiles through the Future Energy Landscapes (FEL) programme.

The Area Board was encouraged to work closely with the Engagement and Partnerships team and incorporate their work into local planning.

Appointments

The Melksham Area Board was scheduled to appoint councillor representatives to outside bodies and non-priority working groups. These appointments were set to continue for the duration of the councillors' terms of office and would be reviewed annually.

The board was also scheduled to note the terms of reference for the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG) and appoint a lead councillor to the LHFIG on an annual basis.

Partner Updates and Information Items

• SEND Fest 2025: The Area Board was asked to help deliver Wiltshire SEND Fest 2025, an inclusive event designed to celebrate and support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), along with their families and carers. The board was asked to identify and connect with local businesses or organisations who may be interested in sponsoring the event.
• Wiltshire Community Air Network: The Area Board was scheduled to receive information on the Wiltshire Community Air Network, a citizen science air quality monitoring project that will place more than one hundred low-cost air quality sensors in communities across Wiltshire for one year. The sensors will measure PM2.5 air pollution[^2], helping to identify trends and potential hotspots. [^2]: PM2.5 refers to airborne particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, which can increase the risk of health problems.
• Age UK Wiltshire Newsletter: The Area Board was scheduled to receive the April 2025 newsletter from Age UK Wiltshire. The newsletter included a message from the CEO, Sarah Cardy, highlighting the challenges faced by older people, such as changes to the Winter Fuel Payment and proposed changes within the NHS. It also featured articles on the KFR partnership for home clearance, updates from the Padwell Road Day Centre, and information on wellbeing checks with meals in Southampton.
• VCSE Framework: The Area Board was scheduled to receive a briefing note on the new strategic partnership framework between Wiltshire Council and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector. The framework aims to develop the strategic relationship between the VCSE and Wiltshire Council, facilitate open communication, and increase awareness of respective roles and contributions.
• Understanding Dementia Sessions: The Area Board was scheduled to receive information on Understanding Dementia workshops offered by Alzheimer's Support, Wiltshire's dementia charity. 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.
• BSW Together (Integrated Care System) Update: The Area Board was scheduled to receive an update from BSW Together (Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board) on various healthcare initiatives, including the Covid-19 spring booster vaccinations, drop-in sessions for the new Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre, and responses to the ICB's Big A&E Survey.
• Community First Briefing: The Area Board was scheduled to receive a briefing from Community First, a registered charity that supports communities across Wiltshire and Swindon. The briefing included updates on various programmes, such as Youth Action Wiltshire, Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre, Carers Together Wiltshire, and the Neighbourhood Collaborative project.
• Wiltshire Police VAWG Quarterly Update: The Area Board was scheduled to receive a quarterly report from Wiltshire Police on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The report provided progress updates on how the police are tackling VAWG, including work with the Ending VAWG Coalition Wiltshire (E-VAWG), support for Stalking Awareness Week, and the use of Project Vigilant to keep people safe in the nighttime economy.
• Melksham Neighbourhood Team Area Board Report: The Area Board was scheduled to receive a report from the Melksham Neighbourhood Team, providing crime data and updates on policing activities in the area. The report included information on the team's community commitment, policing priorities, and upcoming events.
• Melksham Without Parish Council Newsletter: The Area Board was scheduled to receive the spring 2025 newsletter from Melksham Without Parish Council. The newsletter introduced the new councillors, outlined the council's objectives and priorities for the term, and provided information on council meetings, grants, and village halls.
• Road Safety Update: The Area Board was scheduled to receive a road safety update from Wiltshire Police, including information on the Fatal 5 education campaign, traffic surveys, and the work of Community Speed Enforcement Officers (CSEOs). The update also included data on CSEO activity in the Melksham area.