The Devizes Area Board met on Monday 06 October 2025, discussing a range of community issues and approving funding for several local projects. Key decisions included the proposed transfer of land to the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, recommendations from the Local Highways and Footpaths Improvements Group, and the allocation of Area Board funding to various community initiatives.

Area Board Priorities and Action Plan

Richard Rogers, Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager (SEPM), presented a proposal for the Area Board's priorities and action plan. The plan aligns with Wiltshire Council's core themes, focusing on cost-of-living support, the local youth offer, support for older and vulnerable adults, and the local environment. Councillors discussed their respective divisions, highlighting challenges and opportunities. Cllr Dominic Muns, representing The Lavingtons, emphasised the Area Board's role in advising community groups on funding. Cllr Tamara Reay, representing Devizes Rural West, expressed her commitment to supporting community organisations and addressing highway safety and active travel concerns. Cllr Laura Mayes, for Bromham, Rowde and Roundway, highlighted the need for additional funding for pavement maintenance. Cllr Taylor Wright, representing Devizes East, echoed concerns about highways and pavements and expressed a keen interest in supporting youth activities. The discussions will inform the Area Board's priorities for the forthcoming year.

Kennet and Avon Canal Trust - Community Asset Transfer

The Area Board considered an application from the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust (KACT) for the transfer of land they currently lease adjacent to Couch Lane, Devizes. The proposal, outlined in the Community Asset Transfer application, aims to allow KACT to refresh the Canal Museum, maintain a base for their trip boat, reintroduce a café facility, and develop their archive. The Trust also plans to make space available for small meetings, classes, exhibitions, and community events. Wiltshire Council's Estates and Development service noted that while there could be a potential loss of control for future regeneration of the Wharf site, the transfer would offer KACT long-term certainty and financial stability. They supported the application, recognising the community benefit and the importance of the canal-side heritage facility. The Area Board was recommended to approve the transfer, subject to the agreement of Heads of Terms for a 125-year lease, which would include KACT being responsible for repairs and insurance, restrictions on subletting, a peppercorn rent, and a clause for the building to revert to the Council if community use ceases.

Local Highways and Footpaths Improvements Group (LHFIG)

The Area Board noted the minutes and considered recommendations from the LHFIG. Funding was recommended for a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) consultation for a 40mph speed limit on West End, Bishops Cannings, costing £3,500 (£2,625 from LHFIG and £875 from BCPC). A further TRO consultation for a 20mph speed limit on Whistley Road, Potterne, was also recommended with a cost of £3,500 (£2,625 from LHFIG and £875 from PPC). An additional recommendation, subject to a 25% contribution from Devizes Town Council, was for a driven speed limit assessment on Dunkirk Hill, Devizes, to reduce the speed limit, costing £3,250 (£2,437.50 from LHFIG and £812.50 from DTC).

Air Quality and Sustainable Transport (AQST) Group

Cllr Tamara Reay provided an update from the AQST Group. The London Road maintenance project and cycling/walking route have been separated into distinct schemes. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels remain below the 40ug/m3 threshold, and the Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) will be reviewed. Applications are being sought from parish councils and other organisations to install smaller air quality monitoring units at pinch points. Wales & West will be undertaking work on North Street from 6 to 19 August, which is expected to cause some disruption. Information on cycling and walking initiatives is available on Devizes Town Council's website. Cllr Ben Reed noted that repairs to the kebab shop on Northgate Street would commence soon, potentially causing traffic disruption and affecting bus stop locations and routes. Cllr Tamara Reay also highlighted that the council's preferred option for the London Road Active Travel Scheme would be a segregated facility, but due to space constraints, a shared-use path is being considered. A feasibility study for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the canal will be commissioned. Concerns were raised about the width of the proposed shared-use path and the requirement for cyclists to dismount at the canal bridge. The consultation summary for the London Road Active Travel Proposal revealed that parking loss and the dismount requirement were significant concerns for respondents.

Area Board Funding

The Area Board considered several applications for funding. The following grants were awarded:

• Community Area Grants:
  • Bishops Cannings Village Hall received £3,000 towards Raising the Roof for the Next Generation .
  • West Lavington Youth Club was awarded £1,000 for extra storage space.
  • Devizes Bowls Club received £3,000 towards a replacement mower.
• Older and Vulnerable Adults Grants:
  • Wiltshire Rural Music was awarded £500 for Keep Music in Mind sessions for people living with dementia in Devizes.
• Youth Grants:
  • Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts (DOCA) received £4,800 towards Young Urban Digital .
  • Bromham Youth Club was awarded £3,778.64.

Partner and Community Updates

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service provided an online video update. The update highlighted significant incidents including heath and cliff fires, a fire at the former Eye Hospital in Weymouth, a thatched property fire in Durrington, a waste site fire in Wareham, a WWI hangar fire at Old Sarum Airfield, and a fire affecting beach huts in Bournemouth. The service has invested in a new Unimog appliance for tackling heat fires and is developing a video on the fire risks associated with e-bikes and mobility scooters. They also hosted webinars on fire risk assessments and are developing a business fire safety newsletter. Training exercises included a mass flooding water rescue, a response to a major terrorist incident, and a coordinated exercise with Great Western Hospital. New welfare units have been brought into service, and new day duty systems are in place at Christchurch and Dorchester fire stations. A Wareham firefighter raised over £6,400 for the Firefighters Charity through an endurance challenge, and station car washes raised around £4,000. New whole-time firefighters are joining the service this summer. The update also mentioned a Free the Night walk in Trowbridge for women's safety and gender equality, the retirement of two on-call firefighters with nearly 90 years of service between them, and the annual awards ceremony.

Wiltshire Police provided updates from the Devizes Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT). Inspector Simon Garrett reported on crime statistics, noting an increase in violence against the person, criminal damage, and drug offences, while theft, burglary, and vehicle offences saw a reduction. Wiltshire had the lowest number of burglaries per home in the country. The NPT is addressing financial pressures by reviewing fleet vehicles and the police estate. Community engagement activities included visits by the mobile police station and school visits. Speed enforcement activities led to eight people being sent on speed awareness courses. Concerns were raised about HGVs breaching weight restrictions, and the police are working with partners to address this. The team is aware of anti-social behaviour in Brickley Lane Park and is patrolling the area. The new Public Spaces Protection Order is seen as a useful tool, with several tickets issued for breaches. The Area Board will consider a future agenda item on the Public Spaces Protection Order. The police are also working with partner agencies to tackle perpetrators who pose the most risk to communities through a new police-led meeting called MATAC. Wiltshire Police are also working with Swindon to replicate a safe spaces scheme for women in the night-time economy.

Devizes Town Council reported on committee adjustments and upcoming co-options. Successful events included VE Day beacon lighting, the Devizes Art Festival, and Devizes Pride. A new Youth Space project, funded by the Area Board, was expected to open soon, and the bus shelter in the Market Place was due for repair.

Bishops Cannings Parish Council discussed planning approval for the village car park and the challenges of meeting Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements, highlighting significant costs. Cllr Philip Whitehead stated he would raise this issue with Wiltshire Council's Director of Planning.

OpenDoors highlighted their new data recording system and updated session hours to better target those in need.

Wiltshire Citizens Advice and the Wiltshire Council Engagement and Partnerships Team are working together to ensure local advice and support services are accessible. They are helping an average of 580 Wiltshire families per month with over 2000 issues, with average gains of over £5,000 in benefits or debt write-offs per client. Face-to-face drop-in advice is available in most community areas, often co-located with foodbanks and other charities.

The Elections Team provided an update on postal vote renewals, noting that postal votes applied for before 31 January 2024 must be renewed by 31 January 2026. They also reminded residents about the annual canvass of electors to update the electoral register. Young people aged 16 and 17 can register to vote online.

The Adults Commissioning team presented a proposal for the reinvigoration of the Wiltshire Carers Champions initiative, aiming to strengthen support for unpaid carers through improved visibility, engagement, and collaboration. The refreshed model includes a simplified role description, training, a clear support structure, and peer support groups. The aim is to recruit at least one Carers Champion per Area Board.

Other Discussions

London Road Active Travel Scheme: Spencer Drinkwater, Principal Transport and Delivery Manager, presented an update on the scheme, which aims to improve infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. Key elements include a shared-use path, new crossings, and potential canal bridge improvements. The scheme is supported by S106 funding and Active Travel England. Consultation feedback highlighted concerns about parking loss, the practicality of dismounting cyclists, and the need for a new bridge. The council will review nearby on-street parking and commission a feasibility study for a new bridge.

Shared Lives: A video was shown to raise awareness of the Shared Lives Service, which supports vulnerable adults to live as part of a family. The Area Board praised the scheme for integrating service users into the community and encouraged participation.

Open Floor: Iain Wallis from Devizes Town Council reported that the Northgate Street entrance to the Market Place would be closed for much of August and asked for commitment on the availability of Wiltshire Council's Bobcat Machine for road repairs in Kingsley Gardens. Cllr Taylor Wright, Portfolio Holder for Highways, stated he would make further enquiries.

Appointments: The Area Board resolved to appoint members as Lead representatives to Outside Bodies and Working Groups, including the Devizes Leisure Centre Group, the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG), and the Air Quality and Sustainable Transport Group (AQST). Cllr Dominic Muns was appointed Lead Member for the Area Board Environment Lead (ABEL).

Devizes Air Quality and Sustainable Transport (AQST) Group: Cllr Tamara Reay provided an update, noting that the London Road maintenance project and cycling/walking route have been separated. NO2 levels are below the threshold, and the AQMA will be reviewed. Applications are being sought for smaller air quality monitoring units. Concerns were raised about the width of the shared-use path and the dismount requirement at the canal bridge. The council will investigate a new bridge and consider alternative routes.

Local Highways and Footpaths Improvements Group (LHFIG): The Area Board noted that no LHFIG meeting had taken place, so no financial recommendations required approval. The next meeting was scheduled for 3 July 2025.

Urgent Items: There were no urgent items. Future meeting dates were confirmed as 1 December 2025 and 2 March 2026.