The Tidworth Area Board of Wiltshire Council met on Monday 26 October 2026 to discuss funding applications, local highway improvements, and receive updates from various partners. The Board considered several funding requests, with decisions made on awards for youth engagement projects and support for older and vulnerable residents. Significant discussion also took place regarding local highway and footway improvement schemes, with recommendations for funding approved for several projects.

Funding Applications

The Area Board considered applications for funding from various community groups.

• Tidworth Area Youth Committee Projects: An award of £1,000 was made to the Youth Council for small youth engagement projects. This award met the Youth Grant criteria for 2026/27.
• Age UK Wiltshire: An award of £170 was made to Age UK Wiltshire towards their Celebrating Age Wiltshire project, specifically for Daytime Disco events for individuals aged 55 and over. This award met the Older & Vulnerable Grant criteria for 2026/27.
• Army Welfare Service (AWS): The Army Welfare Service was awarded £1,500 towards their Tidworth Summer youth activities and residential project. This award met the Youth Grant criteria for 2026/27. The initial request was for £2,500, but this was reduced by £1,000 by the applicant to allow for other projects to be considered.
• Spurgeon's Children's Charity Wiltshire Family Hub: An award of £500 was made to Spurgeon's Children's Charity for their Street Sports project. This award met the Youth Grant criteria for 2026/27. The Board requested the applicant attend a future meeting to provide an update on the project's progress.
• Collingbourne Ducis Parish Council: An award of £5,000 was made to Collingbourne Ducis Parish Council towards the Saunders Meadow Community Area project. This award met the Youth Grant criteria for 2026/27.

The Board also noted delegated funding awards made between meetings:

• Stand Easy Veteran UK: £300 from the 2025/26 Community Area Grant budget for the provision of a tri-weekly hub in Tidworth.
• Age UK Wiltshire: £830 from the 2025/26 Older & Vulnerable budget for Daytime Disco events.
• Army Welfare Service: £2,500 from the 2025/26 Youth budget for Tidworth Summer youth activities and residential.

Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG)

The Board noted the minutes from the LHFIG meeting held on 9 September 2026 and considered funding recommendations.

• Tidworth Town Council - Additional waiting restrictions, Hill Top Avenue: The Board confirmed LHFIG funding of £885 for additional waiting restrictions on Hill Top Avenue. This project aims to prevent parking on a bend that causes an obstruction and limits visibility for oncoming traffic.
• Tidworth Town Council - Signage amendments Dingleys Promise: Funding of £2,000 was confirmed for signage amendments at Dingleys Promise, to update directional signage from the Sure Start centre to the Specialist SEND Nursery.
• Tidworth Town Council - SNP Zouch Farm Close & Sidbury Circular: Funding of £2,000 was confirmed for signage amendments at Zouch Farm Close and Sidbury Circular.

The Board also discussed several other highway and footway improvement matters:

• Collingbourne Kingston Parish Council - Footway resurfacing along A338: The group agreed to support this in principle, with officers to undertake a site visit to determine if it can be added to the maintenance list or proceed via the LHFIG process.
• Collingbourne Ducis Parish Council - Church Street / High Street Junction Alteration (A338 / A346): The substantive bid for this junction alteration was reviewed and unfortunately deemed unsuccessful due to a higher cost-to-benefit ratio compared to other schemes. The group was advised to review successful schemes and determine potential contributions.
• Ludgershall Town Council - Collision reduction measures, Butt Street / Castle Street: This issue is being addressed through the major maintenance programme, not LHFIG. Atkins is looking at an improvement scheme, likely patching, to reduce disruption.
• Ludgershall Town Council - Pedestrian safety, Andover Road: Local councillors are conducting a consultation with residents regarding pedestrian safety and the potential for a crossing.
• Collingbourne Ducis Parish Council - Footway from Bourne Works to Tipple Inn: The group agreed to proceed with improvements to the footway, kerbing, and surfacing at this location, with a contribution expected from Collingbourne Ducis Parish Council.
• Tidworth Town Council - Removal of Taxi parking, Station Road: The Taxi Licensing department is conducting an internal review of taxi ranks across Wiltshire. Tidworth Town Council will consult with taxi companies and the public regarding the potential change of use of the Station Road taxi rank to public short-term parking.
• Tidworth Town Council - Pedestrian barrier, Wellington Lions Primary School: Following a site visit, it was determined that the footway at this location is not suitable for a barrier or bollards. The council will investigate school keep clear markings.
• Ludgershall Town Council - No stopping markings, Deweys Lane: The group agreed to proceed with exploring a 20mph zone, pending updated policy from the Department for Transport.
• Tidworth Town Council - Various signage amendments, Dingleys Promise: Designs for signage amendments are ready for submission.
• Ludgershall Town Council - Lining improvements and traffic calming, St James Street: Maintenance has confirmed the carriageway is scheduled for resurfacing, and the project submission will proceed once a date is confirmed.
• Ludgershall Town Council - Parking restrictions, Graspan and Pretoria Road: An informal consultation with residents will be carried out to gauge support for parking restrictions and a residents' parking permit scheme.
• Tidworth Town Council - Merrington Way with Zouch Farm Tidworth Waiting restrictions: Waiting restrictions will be applied to Merrington Way and Arnott Road as part of a wider Traffic Regulation Order.
• Tidworth Town Council - Pedestrian barrier, Wellington Lions Primary School: The council will investigate school keep clear markings.
• Ludgershall Town Council - 20mph zone/restriction, Deweys Lane: Traffic surveys have been requested to explore the potential for a 20mph zone.
• Tidworth Town Council - Various signage amendments, Dingleys Promise: Designs for signage amendments are ready for submission.
• Ludgershall Town Council - Lining improvements and traffic calming, St James Street: Maintenance has confirmed the carriageway is scheduled for resurfacing, and the project submission will proceed once a date is confirmed.
• Ludgershall Town Council - Parking restrictions, Graspan and Pretoria Road: An informal consultation with residents will be carried out to gauge support for parking restrictions and a residents' parking permit scheme.
• Tidworth Town Council - Merrington Way with Zouch Farm Tidworth Waiting restrictions: Waiting restrictions will be applied to Merrington Way and Arnott Road as part of a wider Traffic Regulation Order.
• Tidworth Town Council - Pedestrian barrier, Wellington Lions Primary School: The council will investigate school keep clear markings.
• Ludgershall Town Council - 20mph zone/restriction, Deweys Lane: Traffic surveys have been requested to explore the potential for a 20mph zone.

Partner Updates

• Fire & Rescue: A quarterly video update was noted.
• Wiltshire Police: An update on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) initiatives was provided, highlighting operational priorities, the Ending VAWG Coalition, domestic abuse work, stalking initiatives, and Project Vigilant.
• Wessex Community Action: An announcement was made regarding the launch of their refreshed brand identity and new website.
• Wiltshire Money: An update was provided on the Community Financial Resilience & Practitioner Support Programme, seeking Area Board support in promoting funded training opportunities.
• Wiltshire Working Well: Information was shared about fully funded, short, and practical training sessions designed to support wellbeing in the workplace.
• Area Boards: Updates were provided on the development of the Faith Communities Network, winter resilience and community emergency preparedness, and the role of Area Boards in supporting these initiatives.
• Parish Council Updates: Written updates were received from Everleigh Parish Council, Chute Forest Parish Council, and Collingbourne Kingston Parish Council, detailing local successes, projects, and forthcoming events.

Other Matters

• Community Spotlight - Detached Youth Work Project: An update was provided on this project.
• New Funding Streams Update: Graeme Morrison, Strategic Engagement & Partnerships Manager, provided an update on new funding streams, including the Wellbeing Fund, Crisis and Resilience Fund, Locally Identified Infrastructure Projects, and the Community Lottery.
• Ask Your Area Board: An opportunity for public questions was scheduled.
• Priorities Update: Lead members provided updates on Youth, Health & Wellbeing, and Community Safety.

The meeting concluded with information on future meeting dates and contact details for grant applications.