The Malmesbury Area Board met on Tuesday 17 February 2026, approving £13,000 in grant funding for various community projects and hearing updates on local highways, community safety, and council priorities. Key decisions included the allocation of funds to the Sherston Scout Group for solar panels, the Jubilee Playing Field Fundraising Group for a basketball hoop, Sherston Village Hall for audio-visual equipment, Malmesbury Table Tennis Club for new tables, The Last Baguette theatre company for a youth project, and The RISE Trust Youth for a youth club.

Area Board Funding

The Area Board considered and approved several applications for funding across different grant streams.

Community Area Grants:

• Sherston Scout Group was awarded £2,500 towards the installation of solar panels and a battery system at Sherston Scout Hut. This project aims to generate clean electricity, reduce running costs, and enable the hut to function as a community hub during power outages.
• Jubilee Playing Field Fundraising Group received £2,500 for a basketball hoop at Lea Jubilee Playing Field. This initiative aims to provide recreational facilities for older children and teenagers in the village.
• Sherston Village Hall was granted £2,500 for new visual and audio equipment, including a motorised screen, projector, speakers, and microphones. This will enhance the facilities for hirers, enabling presentations, talks, and film screenings.
• Malmesbury Table Tennis Club was awarded £2,000 to replace old tables with ten new ones, aiming to improve playing conditions for existing and new members.

Young People Grants:

• The Last Baguette theatre company CIC received £1,250 for a play-in-a-week theatre workshop project for young people aged 11-18 in Malmesbury during Summer 2026. The project will explore themes of rules and culminate in a performance for friends and family.
• The RISE Trust Youth was granted £3,900 to continue offering youth club sessions for young people in school years 7, 8, and 9 at Riverside, providing activities, crafts, and a safe space with youth worker support.

Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG)

The Area Board noted the minutes and recommendations from the LHFIG meeting held on 27 January 2026. Councillor Elizabeth Threlfall provided an update, noting that some road markings and projects had been delayed due to adverse weather. Discussions included addressing dangerous parking on Dark Lane in Malmesbury, with a solution identified. Crudwell Parish Council was considering extending its 30mph speed limit towards the farm shop. The board was asked to approve new items for progression, including various speed limit reviews, traffic calming measures, and parking restrictions across several villages.

Community Safety Forum

Councillor Gavin Grant provided an update on the Community Safety Forum meeting held on 8 December 2025. He described it as a useful discussion between Inspector Scott Anger and local parishes to share issues. Future meetings will be held quarterly, with parishes encouraged to appoint representatives. The discussion also touched upon the potential for identifying groups causing trouble and the possibility of safeguarding involvement in such processes.

Chairman's Announcements and Information Items

Several updates were provided:

• Community First: Councillor Elizabeth Threlfall highlighted the update from Community First, noting their valuable work, including the confirmation of funding for the Link Scheme for another year and information on activities for young carers and household support.
• Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service: Councillor Chuck Berry drew attention to the quarterly video update, which covered the service's processes and challenges.
• Support Governor Recruitment in Wiltshire Schools: Councillor Martin Smith emphasised the need for more school governors, highlighting it as a valuable volunteering opportunity to contribute to local communities.
• Wiltshire Money Events and Training: Councillor Gavin Grant noted that this project, managed by Citizens Advice Wiltshire, offers training and support for individuals facing financial difficulties.
• BSW Together (Integrated Care Board): Councillor Martin Smith reported that the BSW ICB, currently covering Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire, is set to expand and encompass Dorset and Somerset. A commissioning plan is in production, with priorities including neighbourhood-level services and a stronger focus on prevention. It was suggested this change could support the case for a GP surgery in Sherston.

Partner and Community Updates

• Wiltshire Police: Inspector Scott Anger provided an update on the Malmesbury Neighbourhood Policing Team's activities, including community engagement, use of the mobile police station, and enforcement actions. Road safety was highlighted, with 35 speeding tickets issued in the past three months and a joint operation with the road safety team. Future engagements were outlined, and the priorities for the area were identified as anti-social behaviour in Malmesbury town centre, road policing, and rural crime. Positive feedback was given regarding the team's handling of minor anti-social behaviour and their work on speeding. Discussions also covered cross-border liaison with Gloucestershire Police and the inclusion of hare coursing and theft from outbuildings within rural crime priorities.
• Town and Parish Councils: Councillor Peter Mason of Minety Parish Council raised concerns about the condition of local roads, despite recent repairs, attributing issues to clay foundations and recent weather. Councillor Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene and Flooding, assured that the report would be passed to the Head of Local Highways. Councillor Stephen James of Malmesbury Town Council highlighted issues with road repairs by third-party contractors, leading to a discussion on enforcement standards.

Area Board Priority Update

Andrew Jack, Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager, provided an update on the Area Board's priorities. Progress was noted on establishing a new Men's Shed, although some issues with the site position had arisen. The Malmesbury Public Living Room continues to be popular, with efforts to find a new lead volunteer. Work is ongoing to develop a more resilient food provision model, with funding available for community projects. The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) is progressing, with a draft document out for consultation. Actions related to employment opportunities and digital literacy through Techie Tea Parties are also moving forward.