The Salisbury Area Board met to discuss community grants, local highway improvements, and updates from partner organisations. The board approved funding for several community projects, including improvements to disabled access at the Bemerton Community Centre and a new lighting project for Salisbury Methodist Church. Councillors also discussed ongoing efforts to improve road safety and address traffic concerns in the area.

Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG)

The board discussed the recommendations arising from the last Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG) meeting held on 27 August 2025, as detailed in the Salisbury LHFIG - Note Tracker - August 2025 - Report Version report.

The board made the following decisions:

• Netherhampton Road Zebra Crossing: Approved £15,000 for a Modupost system on the A3094 Netherhampton Road, subject to the submission of a successful substantive LHFIG bid.
• Devizes Road Zebra Crossing: Approved the allocation of £9,453.33 from its 2026/2027 financial allocation, subject to the submission of a successful bid to the Substantive LHFIG fund, for improvements to the lower zebra crossing on Devizes Road.
• Lower Bemerton ANPR Survey: Approved the allocation of £1500.00 to allow an ANPR¹ survey to be undertaken in Lower Bemerton.
• Phillips Lane Horse Warning Signs: Approved the allocation of £850.00 for horse warning signs on Phillips Lane.
• London Road Speed Limit Assessment: Approved the allocation of £3750.00 for a speed limit assessment on London Road.
• Millbrook Junction Warning Signs: Approved the allocation of £1065.00 for Millbrook Junction Warning Signs.

Councillor Chris Taylor raised concerns about safety issues in his area that had not been funded through the LHFIG route. He asked who would be responsible if an accident occurred at a crossing or road that had been identified as having a safety issue but had not been funded. The chairman agreed to request a response from the relevant legal officer.

The board also discussed parking restrictions and the need for more enforcement. The chairman agreed to contact the relevant Parking Services Officer to request more focused coverage of problem areas.

Community Grant Funding

The board considered several applications for community grant funding, as detailed in the Grant Report - 11th September 2025.

The board made the following decisions:

• Salisbury Methodist Church: Deferred a decision on a £5,000 grant request for a new lighting project at the Salisbury Methodist Church to allow for further information to be gathered.
• Bemerton Community Limited: Deferred a decision on a £5,000 grant request for a disabled access project at Bemerton Community Limited to allow for further information to be gathered.
• Broken Bridges Nature Reserve CIO: Deferred a decision on a £5,000 grant request for restoring biodiversity to Broken Bridges Nature Reserve to allow for further information to be gathered.
• Wessex Archaeology Ltd: Deferred a decision on a £2,650 grant request for a Well City Salisbury Bemerton Heath course Colour and Light to allow for further information to be gathered.
• Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir: Deferred a decision on a £500 grant request for a Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir 2025 music project to allow for further information to be gathered.
• Rise 61: Deferred a decision on a £5,000 grant request for an after school drama club to allow for further information to be gathered.

Salisbury Area Board Action Plan

The board agreed to support the delivery of the actions identified in the Salisbury Area Board Action Plan 2025 - Final. The plan focuses on several key priorities:

• Food Poverty: Strengthening networking and raising awareness of local provisions to support residents in need.
• Youth Engagement: Supporting the Youth Provision Forum and the YOU network.
• Environmental Priorities: Strengthening local flood plans, tackling air pollution, and influencing new modal shift initiatives.
• Underpass Transformation: Facilitating improvements for active travel and accessibility, including street art.
• Digital Inclusion: Developing and implementing engaging digital inclusion initiatives for older people and vulnerable adults.

Partner Updates and Information Items

The board received written updates from partner organisations, including:

• Wiltshire Police: Inspector Laura Elliott provided updates on local priorities, including theft from motor vehicles, anti-social behaviour related to street drinking, business crime, and rural crime, as detailed in the NPT_ AUG 2025 report. The police have been conducting targeted patrols, providing crime prevention advice, and working with businesses to prevent shoplifting.
• Community First: The Community First update - September 2025 provided information on various programmes, including those for young carers, youth action, outdoor education, and community organising.
• Wiltshire Money: The Wiltshire Money - August 2025 update highlighted the organisation's work to support financial inclusion and address the cost of living crisis.
• Elections Update: The Elections update - September 2025 provided information on postal vote renewals and the annual canvass of electors.

Reinvigoration of Wiltshire Carers Champions

The board was briefed on the proposal to reinvigorate the Wiltshire Carers Champions initiative. The initiative aims to strengthen support for unpaid carers through improved visibility, engagement, and collaboration. Carers Champions will play a key role in helping Area Boards and Wiltshire Council identify and address the needs of unpaid carers within their communities. The board was asked to support the Commissioning team and Engagement and Partnership Team in raising the profile of Carers Champions, promoting vacant roles, and considering local people to fill them.