The Chippenham and Villages Area Board meeting scheduled for Monday 09 February 2026 was set to discuss a range of community matters, including grant applications for local organisations and updates from various partners. A significant portion of the agenda was dedicated to considering applications for Area Board grants, with a total of £34,104 available for Community Area grants, £7,500 for Older and Vulnerable grants, and £29,553 for Young People grants.

Chippenham Area Board Grants

The board was scheduled to consider several applications for funding. These included:

• Chippenham Cricket Club requested £1,648 towards the purchase of a new outfield mower, as their current one is beyond economic repair.
• The Wilts and Berks Canal Trust applied for £1,440 to fund a durable roadway surface for CWS and Pewsham Locks, aiming to improve accessibility and safety, particularly in wet weather.
• Community First Splash sought £4,000 for their Splash Positive Activity Days, which aim to empower young people through confidence and skill development, peer support, and positive activities.
• The Chippenham Sports Partnership requested £2,500 for the Chippenham and Para Games, an annual event that provides leadership opportunities for young people and inclusive sports activities for SEND pupils.
• Doorway Wiltshire Ltd. applied for £5,000 for their Doorstep Youth Club, which offers free weekly sessions with games, sports, and activities designed to build confidence, teamwork, and a sense of community for young people in the Queens East area.
• The RISE Trust requested £2,213.46 for their Wellbeing RISE Youth sessions, which run alongside their Wednesday night youth club, providing a supportive environment for young people who may find larger sessions overwhelming.
• The Chippenham Community Eco Hub applied for £1,250 towards their Chippenham Community Health and Wellbeing project, which aims to bring together statutory and voluntary health and wellbeing groups to address community issues.
• Chippenham Collective requested £500 for insurance cover and essential expenses for 2026 to 2027, supporting their work providing opportunities for people with mental ill-health, neurodivergence, and other disabilities through social gardening, conservation, and arts and crafts.

Information Items

The board was also scheduled to note several information items:

• An update from Community First, a charity that supports people, places, and communities in Wiltshire and Swindon.
• A quarterly video update from the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, summarising major incidents and achievements.
• Information on Wiltshire Money Events and Training Opportunities, managed by Wiltshire Citizens Advice to support financial inclusion.
• Details of the HWB survey, which aims to gather insights into the health and wellbeing of school-aged children and young people in Wiltshire.
• Information regarding Youth Council Elections for February 2026, encouraging young people aged 11-17 to participate in local democracy.

Policing and Road Safety Updates

A key item on the agenda was an update from Catherine Roper, Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police, providing information on local policing matters. Additionally, a road safety update was scheduled, likely covering initiatives such as the #FATAL5 education campaign, which focuses on the five main causes of road deaths and serious injuries: speeding, drink and drug driving, seatbelt use, mobile phone use, and careless driving.

20's Plenty for Us

A presentation was scheduled from Adrian Berendt, Director of 20's Plenty for Us, an organisation that campaigns for lower speed limits in communities.

Partner Updates

The board was also set to receive updates from various partners, including written updates from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, a Road Safety Update, and notes from the Parish Forum held on 25 November 2025.

Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group

The minutes and any recommendations from the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG) meeting held on 8 January 2026 were to be considered. This group typically discusses local infrastructure projects, traffic calming measures, and footpath improvements.

The meeting was scheduled to take place at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, Cocklebury Road, Chippenham, SN15 3QN. The Area Board welcomes public participation, and the Chairman endeavours to ensure everyone who wishes to speak has the opportunity to do so.