The Chippenham and Villages Area Board meeting scheduled for 1 June 2026 was set to cover a range of community funding applications, updates from local organisations, and discussions on highway improvements. A significant item on the agenda was the consideration of community asset transfer applications for the Walled Garden Open Space in Chippenham.

Community Asset Transfer for Walled Garden Open Space

The board was scheduled to consider multiple applications for the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) of the Walled Garden Open Space in Chippenham. These applications were from the 10th Chippenham Scout Group, proposing a Scout hut development; the Chippenham Borough Lands Charity (CBLC), aiming for a conservation-led community green space; Will Sinnott, a private individual with a proposal for youth and education use; and Bash and Paulette Robertson, private individuals with a conservation-led stewardship plan. An application from Diana Short had been withdrawn, and an expression of interest from Emma Walters and Miriam Dann-Gandy for an outdoor stay and play facility was also to be reviewed. Each application was to be assessed against the council's CAT policy, considering public benefit, deliverability, risk, and suitability for the site.

Funding Applications

The board was to review several applications for community grants, with remaining budgets of £34,104 for Community Area Grants, £29,553 for Young People grants, and £7,500 for Older and Vulnerable People grants.

Community Area Grants:

• Public Art Chippenham requested £1,270 for a doorway mural at the Citadel building.

Young People Grants:

• Youth Adventure Trust requested £4,000 to support disadvantaged young people in Chippenham through their programme.
• Kandu Arts Community Project CIC requested £5,000 for a weekly youth music group.
• CPM Sounds CIC requested £5,000 for new venue hire fees and youth clubs at Riverbank Studios.
• Rag and Bone Arts CIC requested £5,000 for improv and art sessions focused on confidence and careers.

Older and Vulnerable Grants:

• Wiltshire Scrapstore and Resource Centre requested £929 for a Craft and Chat initiative for older people from Chippenham.
• Chippenham Corsham and Box Primary Care Network had already received a delegated award of £1,000 for a Health and Wellbeing Community Event.

Written Updates and Information Items

The board was scheduled to note various written updates and information items, including:

• Updates from the Clinical Commissioning Group and BSW Together (Integrated Care Board), detailing their five-year strategic commissioning plan and neighbourhood health initiatives.
• An update from Community First, highlighting their work with young carers, youth clubs, village halls, and their Building Bridges programme.
• Information on Alcoholics Anonymous services in Wiltshire.
• Details of Wiltshire Money events and training opportunities.
• A briefing note on the Wiltshire Faith Communities Network, outlining objectives to increase participation and strengthen links with minority faith communities.
• A briefing note on the Connect to Work Programme and Skills Bootcamps, designed to help individuals with health conditions or other barriers return to work or retrain.
• A call to action from Wessex Community Action regarding the challenges facing the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in Wiltshire, highlighting financial strain and rising demand.
• Information on the launch of the Wiltshire Community Lottery, a fundraising initiative for local good causes.
• A report from Wiltshire Police on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), detailing progress on initiatives like Project Vigilant and efforts to tackle stalking.
• Notes from the Chippenham Community Area Parish Forum, including discussions on planning services, ANPR cameras, and the Wiltshire Local Plan.
• An update on Road Safety in Wiltshire, including information on speed enforcement and the consequences of uninsured driving.

Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG)

The board was to consider recommendations from the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG) meeting held on 31 March 2026. These included recommendations for:

• A420 The Shoe Speed Limit Reduction (£13,000)
• Dropped Kerbs in Chippenham (£9,000)
• Biddestone Lane junction, Yatton Keynell (£3,250)
• The Causeway, Chippenham (£8,000)
• Wood Lane, Chippenham ANPR survey (£1,750)
• Biddestone Church Road Road markings (£800)

Appointment of Representatives

The meeting was also scheduled to appoint lead members to outside bodies for the 2026-2027 period and note the Terms of Reference for the LHFIG.

Action Plan Updates

Updates were expected on the Area Board's priorities, which included co-ordinating and promoting local positive activity for young people, promoting sustainable transport, and facilitating social value opportunities.