The Bradford on Avon Area Board met on Wednesday 18 February 2026, approving funding for several community projects and hearing updates on policing and local highways. Key decisions included awarding grants for tree replacement, food insecurity initiatives, village hall redecoration, youth skills development, a summer holiday club, and a scout sailing expedition.

Policing Update

Catherine Roper, Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police, and Inspector Andy Lemon provided an update on policing in the Bradford on Avon area. Inspector Lemon, who has served in Bradford on Avon for four years, detailed the work of the Neighbourhood Policing Team, highlighting the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee and the Home Officer winter initiative. He presented crime data, outlined sector priorities for 2026 including retail crime, anti-social behaviour, road safety, and rural crime, and discussed upcoming team activities. The Area Board was informed that Wiltshire is considered one of the safest counties in the UK, with Bradford on Avon being particularly safe.

During the discussion, members raised concerns about the increase in hare coursing and how to report it, police funding in light of potential force mergers and the upcoming abolition of the Police and Crime Commissioner role, the availability of 'bleed kits', and the role of Parish Councils in engaging with the police. Chief Constable Roper commented on the government's white paper From Local to National: A New Model for Policing and the potential for improved funding for rural areas through force mergers. The Area Board noted that Wiltshire Police had increased the council tax precept by £15 per year, but still needed to make significant savings.

Boaters Consultation

An update was provided on the consultation regarding boaters on the Kennet and Avon Canal. Jassy from Floaty Boat, a volunteer organisation supporting the boating community, was unable to attend due to illness but submitted an update. This highlighted concerns about media articles and potential changes to the boat licensing structure, which could disproportionately affect vulnerable boaters and lead to financial hardship. Floaty Boat is actively engaging with the Canal & River Trust and attending stakeholder meetings to ensure proper representation for boaters. A meeting with a member of the review board was scheduled for 27 February, and a meeting with the CEO of Canal & River Trust was planned for early March. Councillor Nigel White confirmed he would be attending the meeting on 27 February.

Partner Updates

Written Updates: The Area Board noted written updates from Community First, the BSW Integrated Care Board's Five Year Strategic Commissioning Plan, the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service's quarterly video, Wiltshire Money's events and training opportunities, the HWB survey, and the initiative to support governor recruitment in Wiltshire schools.

Verbal Updates:

• Parish and Town Councils: No updates were provided.
• Climate Friendly Bradford: No update was provided.
• Wiltshire Music Centre: Councillor Nigel White reported on a meeting he attended at the Centre on 3 December 2025 and encouraged attendance at future events.
• Health and Wellbeing: The Engagement and Partnership Lead reported on a Celebration of Kindness weekend planned for 14-15 March 2026, featuring activities for all ages.
• Local Youth Network: Councillor George Simmonds mentioned discussions with Bradford on Avon Town Council to organise summer youth events. Marsha Mars commented on the importance of local groups collaborating to support each other, especially during times of reduced team numbers due to illness or absence.

Area Board Funding

The Area Board considered and approved several funding applications:

• Area Board Initiatives:
  • £100 was awarded to The Slipway trees for Staverton Trees replacement.
  • £4,216 was awarded to BOA Area Board for a project focused on food insecurity and community resilience.
• Community Area Grant:
  • £3,250 was awarded to Winsley Village Hall for redecoration.
• Young People Grants:
  • £2,790 was awarded to Mighty Girls CIC for their Study Skills 26 programme.
  • £2,000 was awarded to Bradford on Avon Town Council for the BoA Summer Holiday Club 2026 .
  • £400 was awarded to 1st Bradford on Avon Scout Troop for their Bradford on Avon Scouts Sailing Expedition 2026 .

Area Board Priority and Action Plan

The Strategic Engagement & Partnerships Manager and Engagement and Partnerships Lead provided an update on the progress of the Area Board's current priorities. The Board noted the update and agreed that work on these priorities would continue.

Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG)

The Area Board received and approved the minutes and recommendations from the LHFIG meeting held on 2 February 2026. A significant portion of the meeting's documentation detailed numerous highway and footpath improvement proposals across various locations, including Bradford on Avon, Winsley, Holt, South Wraxall, and Westwood. These proposals covered a range of issues such as speed limit reductions, pedestrian safety improvements, footway widening, junction enhancements, and street lighting.

Several specific schemes were discussed and recommendations made:

• Wine Street, Bradford on Avon: A decision was made to proceed with a prohibition of motor vehicles, except for access, following a cabinet member decision. Works are to be programmed for the early part of the 2026/27 financial year.
• B3109 Lower South Wraxall Junction Visibility Improvements: Works were underway, with fencing delays expected to be resolved by the end of February. Legal processes for land purchase were ongoing, with expected construction in Summer 2025.
• A363 adjacent to Cumberwell Golf Club: The review of signing was to be undertaken outside of the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) process.
• Westwood Park, Westwood – Street Light Request: Investigations into the feasibility and cost of installing a new street light, potentially using solar power, were ongoing.
• Bradford on Avon, Winsley Road – between Grove Leaze and Downs View: A pedestrian crossing survey was completed, with results being finalised. Initial findings suggested that the pedestrian numbers did not meet the criteria for a formal crossing.
• Bradford on Avon, Bath Road – Speed Limit Reduction: The cost of an assessment for a speed limit reduction was £3,250, with the LHFIG agreeing a contribution of £1,625. A decision on Town Council support and contribution was needed.
• Bradford on Avon, Budbury Close – steps between 32 and 34: The steps were confirmed not to be adopted highway or owned by Wiltshire Council, meaning LHFIG funds could not be used for improvements. The Town Council was to consider writing to adjacent landowners.
• Forewoods Common, Holt: The LHFIG agreed to support a substantive bid for improvements with a £3,000 contribution, seeking a minimum contribution of £7,000 from Holt Parish Council.
• Elms Cross, Westwood: A proposal for a modal filter to restrict through traffic, allowing cyclists and pedestrians access, was being investigated for feasibility and cost.
• Ham Green, Holt – handrail request: The land ownership for the proposed handrail location was being investigated, with potential for the church to install the handrail.
• BoA Sladesbrook – Speed Limit Reduction: This was being progressed to a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) with a 50/50 funding split between LHFIG and the Town Council.

The Area Board noted that if all recommended grants and contributions were confirmed, the remaining Highways funding balance for Bradford on Avon Area Board would be £0.