The Malmesbury Area Board met to discuss local priorities, receive updates from partners including the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable for Wiltshire, and to approve recommendations from the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG). The board agreed to adopt the priorities outlined in the Area Board Priorities & Action Plan, and approved the recommendations from the LHFIG meeting held on 15 July 2025. The Board also noted a grant awarded under delegated authority of £205 for a Malmesbury Community Day.

Police and Crime Update

The Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Philip Wilkinson, and Chief Constable, Catherine Roper, attended the meeting to provide an update on policing in the area.

The PCC reported a reduction in several categories of crime compared to the previous year, with improved response times, and that Wiltshire is now statistically the safest county in the UK. He noted that Wiltshire Police is currently ranked within the top third of forces nationally, but that public perception remains a key focus, with 58% of residents rating the force's performance as good or above, while 42% did not.

The PCC also raised concerns regarding the force's financial position, highlighting a £6.8 million budget shortfall and stating that Wiltshire Police operates with proportionally less funding than many neighbouring forces. He warned that further cuts could affect service delivery, as all feasible reform and efficiency measures had already been implemented.

The Chief Constable reported continued progress since Wiltshire Police's removal from special measures in 2024, with further improvements year on year and an upcoming inspection scheduled for November. She reaffirmed a focus on supporting the most vulnerable, with particular attention to victims of stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, and highlighted ongoing work to strengthen the quality of service provided.

Councillors encouraged closer collaboration between Wiltshire Police and the Area Board, particularly on local issues, to support more effective joint working. Councillors also referenced Gloucestershire's use of the Auto Speedwatch system as a potential model, although the PCC noted that such systems are not currently admissible for prosecution purposes. It was further noted that Wiltshire Police has seen a significant increase in speed enforcement activity and the number of tickets issued in recent years.

Concerns were raised by residents regarding speeding and enforcement in Malmesbury and surrounding villages. Perry Payne, from the Wiltshire & Swindon Road Safety Partnership, said he would review these concerns and provide feedback to the Board at a future meeting.

Area Board Priorities and Action Plan

The board considered a report from Andrew Jack, Strategic Engagement & Partnerships Manager, setting out the Area Board's priorities for the upcoming year, as detailed in the Priorities Action Plan Malmesbury - Oct_25. The board agreed to adopt the following priorities:

• To improve the availability / accessibility of community information and support for vulnerable families and individuals
• To help move food poverty from relief to community resilience
• To improve active travel options throughout the community area by participation in the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) process¹

The plan included several actions to support these priorities, such as:

• Helping to establish a new Men's Shed for the Malmesbury area and promoting it as a supportive environment to share and learn new skills.
• Developing Malmesbury's Public Living Room to provide more support, information, and a social environment.
• Working with food providers and other partners to map provision, identify where more support should be given, and create a new Food Ladder to move from short-term relief to long-term sustainability.
• Working more closely with local organisations on the design and delivery of new active travel routes.
• Working with the Wiltshire Council WEST Team to identify opportunities for possible employment, voluntary work, work experience, or training for people with complex or special needs.
• Refreshing the contents of Malmesbury's Cost of Living support leaflet and distributing it where needed.
• Delivering Techie Tea Parties throughout the community area to increase digital literacy and recruiting volunteers to support learners.

Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG)

The Board considered the notes and recommendations from the recent meeting of the LHFIG which took place on 15 July 2025, as detailed in the Malmesbury LHFIG Note Tracker 150725 FINAL. Councillor Elizabeth Threlfall proposed, and Councillor Gavin Grant seconded, a motion to approve the recommendations, which was carried.

The LHFIG had reviewed a number of schemes, and agreed to prioritise the following:

• 7-23-07 Easton Grey, road bridge across River Avon: Widen and improve the carriageway.
• 7-22-02 Sherston: Implement a 20mph speed limit.
• 7-24-15 Ashton Keynes, footpath AKEY 11,13, 15A: Install four kissing gates.
• 7-24-24 Leigh, B4040 and B4696: Undertake a speed limit review.
• 7-24-21 Little Somerford, Dauntsey Road: Relocate the village sign to the south of the railway bridge.
• 7-24-26 Willesley: Undertake a speed limit review.
• 7-24-33 Ashton Keynes: Install traffic calming gates on the B4696.
• 7-24-22 Charlton B4040: Install horse warning signs.
• 7-24-23 Charlton: Repair drainage issues on bridleway CHAR7.
• 7-24-25 B4040 Pinkney: Install speed repeaters and warning signs.
• 7-24-29 Malmesbury: Implement 'No Waiting At Any Time' restrictions on Horsefair.
• 7-24-46 Ashton Keynes: Implement 'No Waiting At Any Time' restrictions on the B4696 near the Thames Path crossing.
• 7-25-13 Brinkworth: Install a gate on Footpath BRIN26.
• 7-24-26 Willesley: Advertise and implement a speed limit.
• 7-24-43 Sherston, Brook Hill: Implement traffic calming and pedestrian safety measures.
• 7-25-14 Brinkworth – Callow Hill crossroads: Implement safety concerns.
• 7-25-16 Brinkworth- Callow Hill: Implement safety concerns

The LHFIG also discussed a number of new issues, including:

• 7-25-01 Malmesbury Market Cross: Unblocking gullies.
• 7-25-02 Crudwell – approach to school: Taking action on school journeys.
• 7-25-03 Hankerton: Request for a new bus stop sign.
• 7-25-05 Charlton – B4040/ C81: Visibility concern.
• 7-25-09 Malmesbury- Park Road: Park Rd/Old Alexander Rd cossing safety Taking Action on School Journeys.
• 7-25-10 Malmesbury – Dark Lane: Width restriction/ wall damage.
• 7-25-11 Malmesbury – Glovers Court: Access issues.
• 7-25-15 Oaksey: Request for pedestrians in road signs.
• 7-25-17 Oaksey – school warning lights: Taking action on school journeys if school travel plan is updated.
• 7-25-18 Malmesbury – Athelstan Road: Blocked driveway access.
• 7-25-19 Malmesbury – Foundry Road
• 7-25-20 Malmesbury- Holloway: School crossing issue.
• 7-25-21 Malmesbury – Silk Mills: Footway safety.

Chairman's Announcements

Councillor Chuck Berry, Chair of the Malmesbury Area Board, provided updates on several local initiatives:

• Wiltshire Money: Councillor Chuck Berry highlighted the work of Wiltshire Money, a project managed by Wiltshire Citizens Advice, which aims to provide a network and strategic framework for organisations to coordinate, collaborate, and share knowledge on financial inclusion issues.
• Elections Update: Councillor Chuck Berry shared updates from the Elections Team regarding postal vote renewals and the annual canvass of electors.
• Sherston GP: Councillor Chuck Berry provided an update on the Sherston GP surgery.
• Wiltshire Carer's Champion: Councillor Chuck Berry spoke about the reinvigoration of the Wiltshire Carers Champions initiative, which aims to strengthen support for unpaid carers through improved visibility, engagement, and collaboration.
• Men's Shed: Councillor Chuck Berry mentioned the ongoing efforts to establish a new Men's Shed for the Malmesbury area, which would provide a supportive environment for men to share and learn new skills.

Information Items

The board noted several information items attached to the agenda, including updates from:

• Community First, a charity supporting communities in Wiltshire and Swindon.
• BSW Together (Integrated Care Board).
• Age UK
• Wiltshire Citizens Advice & Engagement and Partnership Team.
• Wiltshire Police VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls).
• Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue.