The Stonehenge Area Board meeting scheduled for Thursday 25 September 2025 was set to cover a range of community matters, including updates from local partners, consideration of highway and footpath improvements, and decisions on grant applications. The meeting also included discussions on the reinvigoration of Carers Champions and updates on local policing and road safety initiatives.

Information Items

The Board was scheduled to receive several information items, including an update from Community First, an organisation celebrating its 60th anniversary, which supports communities across Wiltshire and Swindon. This update was expected to cover various programmes such as Youth Action Wiltshire, which runs outdoor activity clubs, and initiatives supporting young carers and those facing challenges. Age UK Wiltshire was also due to provide an update on its services, which include wellbeing checks with meals, fitness and friendship clubs, and information and advice services for older people.

BSW Together (Integrated Care System) was scheduled to provide an update on the future of integrated care boards in England, noting the formal approval of new cluster organisations across the South West of England. This included the announcement of Rob Whiteman as the new Chair of the Dorset, Somerset, and BSW integrated care board cluster. The update also mentioned the departure of the ICB's Chief Executive Officer, Sue Harriman, and provided further details on the new Trowbridge Integrated Care Centre.

Wiltshire Money, a project managed by Wiltshire Citizens Advice, was set to provide an update on its work in supporting financial inclusion and addressing the cost of living crisis across Wiltshire. They were seeking Area Board support to connect with local groups and individuals affected by financial inclusion issues. Community Money Advice South Wiltshire was also expected to provide information on their free and confidential budgeting and debt advice services.

An update on the Wiltshire Council Consultation Portal was listed, alongside an Elections Update detailing changes to postal vote renewals and the annual canvass of electors. The Reinvigoration of Wiltshire Carers Champions initiative was to be discussed, outlining a proposal to strengthen support for unpaid carers through improved visibility, engagement, and collaboration, with a pilot phase planned in areas with higher levels of deprivation. Finally, an update from Wiltshire Citizens Advice and the Wiltshire Council Engagement and Partnerships Team was scheduled, highlighting their work in providing accessible advice and support services across Wiltshire, particularly concerning debt and benefits.

Partner Updates

Updates were expected from Wiltshire Police, with Inspector Gavin Brewster of the Amesbury Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) providing verbal and written updates. The NPT's focus areas were to include burglary, retail and business crime, anti-social behaviour (ASB) and criminality in public spaces, and rural crime. The report highlighted stable burglary numbers but noted an emerging issue with rogue traders targeting vulnerable people. It also detailed efforts to tackle shoplifting and ASB, with a problem-solving plan in place for the Archers Gate area. Rural crime efforts included joint operations with the MOD.

A Road Safety update from Wiltshire Police was also scheduled, focusing on education around the FATAL5 driving offences, which include careless or inconsiderate driving. The update was to include data from traffic surveys conducted in the Stonehenge Area between January 2024 and August 2025, detailing results such as speed education or no further action. The Roads Policing Unit's enforcement activities were also to be highlighted, with over 725 tickets issued in the last quarter for various road-related offences.

The Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) quarterly report from Wiltshire Police was to provide progress updates on tackling VAWG. This included work with the Ending VAWG Coalition Wiltshire, efforts to address stalking through increased reporting and Project Vigilant, and investment in further training for officers. The report was also to cover the Swindon Safe Spaces initiative and national recognition for Project Vigilant.

Stonehenge Area Board Priorities, Actions and Lead Cllrs

The Board was scheduled to discuss and agree to support the delivery of the Area Board Action Plan. This plan outlines priorities linked to the Council Plan, including community cohesion, community safety, local environment action, health and wellbeing, and youth engagement. Specific actions included encouraging collaboration between Parish and Town Councils, delivering a system of recognition for community service, establishing a working group to tackle ASB, supporting the Great Bustard Project, creating a database of local environment projects, and running community events to target isolated individuals. Youth engagement actions focused on improving opportunities and accessibility of services, strengthening the Local Youth Network, and increasing young people's awareness of careers pathways within the military community. The plan also included actions to support Operation Lazurite, help people with complex needs gain employment, and move food poverty from relief to community resilience.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

The Board was to consider appointing Councillor representatives to Outside Bodies for the 2025/26 term. The guiding principles for these roles include being the main point of contact for the bodies, working collaboratively with local partners, and providing regular updates to the Area Board. The specific appointments to be considered were to the A303 Stonehenge Steering Group and the Stonehenge & Avebury World Heritage Site Steering Group, with Cllr Kevin Daley proposed as the representative for both.

Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG)

The Board was asked to note the minutes from the LHFIG meeting held on 2 July 2025 and consider any recommendations. Key items included the financial position of the LHFIG, with an allocation of £16,803.00 for 2025-26 and a remaining budget of £33,494.06 at the start of the meeting. Several highway improvement requests were scheduled for consideration, including:

• Shrewton: Requests for H-bar marking at Zion House driveway, a 20mph speed limit assessment for the village, footpath and footway improvements on the High Street, safety surveys for junctions including Furlong Way, Nett Road, Chalk Hill, and the junction of The Common and B3083, and a safety review for the A345 to Enford Hill.
• Durrington: Proposals for bollards on Bulford Road to prevent pavement parking, and a review of the Hackthorne Road junction.
• Amesbury: Requests for double yellow lines outside the rear gate of Amesbury Archer Primary School, improvements to the Boscombe Down pedestrian crossing, and traffic calming measures on Antrobus Road. A request for a speed limit reduction on Countess Road was also listed.
• Netheravon: A topographical survey for a bus stop was recommended for approval.
• Woodford Valley: A request for a weight limit on the C42 was noted, with a traffic survey ordered.
• Fittleton cum Haxton: A request for a kissing gate to replace a rotten stile was noted, with ongoing discussions regarding its status as a public right of way.

The LHFIG also discussed the process for speed limit reviews and the suggestion to batch road marking requests for cost efficiency.

Area Board Funding

The Board was scheduled to consider various grant applications across three funding streams: Community Area Grants, Youth Grants, and Older and Vulnerable People Grants.

Community Area Grants:

• Figheldean Village Hall: £3,297.00 requested towards stage lights.
• Shrewton United Football Club: £5,000.00 requested towards changing facility refurbishment.
• Durrington Walls Wind Band: £460.00 requested for standard attire for concerts and events.
• Great Wishford Oak Apple Club: £2,991.11 requested towards Oak Apple event equipment.
• Great Bustard Group: £5,000.00 requested towards Great Bustard monitoring.

Older and Vulnerable Grants:

• Silver Salisbury Group: £1,000.00 requested towards reaching out to more isolated older people.
• Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir: £500.00 requested towards their music project 2025.
• HomeStart South Wiltshire: £3,000.00 requested towards supporting families.
• A previously approved delegated funding award of £500.00 to Silver Salisbury Group for printing their annual directory was also to be noted.

Open Floor

An opportunity was scheduled for attendees to ask questions of the Area Board.

Stonehenge Area Board Priorities, Actions and Lead Cllrs

The Board was to discuss and agree to support the delivery of the Area Board Action Plan, which outlines local priorities and actions aligned with the Council Plan.

Chairman's Updates

The Chairman was scheduled to provide any updates or announcements.

Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 June 2025 were to be confirmed.

Declarations of Interest

Any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee were to be received.

Welcome and Introductions

The meeting was scheduled to begin with a welcome and introductions.