The Marlborough Area Board met on Tuesday 26 May 2026 to discuss a range of community matters, including local highway improvements, grant applications, and updates from partner organisations. The meeting's agenda also included discussions on the Area Board's Local Action Plan and appointments to various committees.

Community Governance Review

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the ongoing Community Governance Review (CGR). This review, initiated by Wiltshire Council, aims to examine and potentially alter the governance arrangements for town and parish councils. The process can lead to changes such as the alteration, merger, or abolition of parishes, as well as adjustments to parish council size and electoral arrangements. The report pack indicated that a public survey was being undertaken as part of this review, with specific areas including Devizes, Marlborough, and Royal Wootton Bassett & Cricklade identified for consideration. The review process involves information gathering, public consultation, and the eventual submission of recommendations to Full Council, with any changes taking effect at the next elections in May 2029.

Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) Recommendations

The Area Board was scheduled to consider the notes from recent Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) meetings held on 5 February and 7 May 2026. The meeting agenda included a request to ratify funding recommendations from the 7 May LHFIG meeting. Two specific items were highlighted for consideration: a request for a bollard to protect No. 42 on Kingsbury Street, Marlborough, at the corner of Silverless Street, with an estimated cost of £2,500, and an assessment for a 20mph limit in West Overton, estimated at £2,900. The report pack detailed numerous other highway improvement requests that had been discussed by the LHFIG, covering a wide range of locations within the Marlborough area, including proposals for speed limit changes, new footways, parking restrictions, and traffic calming measures.

Grant Applications

The Area Board was asked to consider several applications for funding across different grant streams. The remaining budgets for Community Area Grants stood at £15,718, for Older and Vulnerable People Grants at £7,500, and for Young People Grants at £16,453.

Area Board Initiatives:

• Marlborough Health and Wellbeing Group had two applications: one for £1,000 towards their Recharge Café and another for £416.50 for their Summer Networking 2026 event.

Community Area Grants:

• Greatwood Charity requested £2,429 for kitchen refurbishment.
• Kennet Valley Village Hall sought £3,000 for the replacement of outside paving.
• Aldbourne Band applied for £3,000 towards the purchase of a new trombone.

Older and Vulnerable People Grants:

• The Jubilee Centre Marlborough requested £500 for attendance subsidy and musical activities.
• Marlborough Area Poverty Action Group applied for £1,500 to support their summer outings programme.

Young People Grants:

• Our Free Minds CIO requested £500 towards their running costs and hardship fund.

Partner and Community Updates

The meeting was scheduled to receive updates from various partner organisations. These included written updates from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, Wiltshire Police Violence Against Women and Girls initiative, the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership, Community First, Wessex Community Action, the Marlborough Community Support Forum, and the Marlborough Health and Wellbeing Group. Verbal updates were also expected from Wiltshire Police Sergeant Deborah Laycock and representatives from Town and Parish Councils.

Community Lottery

A verbal update was scheduled from Andrew Jack, the Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager, regarding the Community Lottery.

Community Area Update and Discussion

The Area Board was set to discuss its Local Action Plan for the forthcoming year. The plan outlines priorities aligned with the Wiltshire Plan, focusing on areas such as supporting people throughout their lives, ensuring safe and resilient communities, providing opportunities for young people, and enhancing the environment.

Appointments and Terms of Reference

The agenda included the appointment of a lead member to the Avebury World Heritage Site Steering Committee and consideration of appointing lead members to roles within the Local Action Plan. Additionally, the terms of reference for the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) were to be noted.

Information Items

The Area Board was asked to note several information items, including updates on the Wiltshire Council Consultation Portal, the Connect to Work Programme and Skills Bootcamps, Alcoholics Anonymous services in Wiltshire, and the Wiltshire Faith Communities Network.

Carers Together Wiltshire

Kirsten Kerr from AGE UK was scheduled to give a presentation about Carers Together Wiltshire.

Other Scheduled Discussions

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as the election of a Chairman and Vice-Chairman, apologies for absence, confirmation of previous minutes, and declarations of interest. An opportunity for Any Other Questions from the public was also allocated.