The Devizes Area Board met to discuss winter preparedness, community governance, and grant applications. The board approved funding for several community projects, including support for vulnerable adults, a Christmas carol service, and youth programs. Councillors also received updates on highway maintenance, police activities, and various community initiatives.

Community Grants

The board approved several grant applications:

• Yoga in Healthcare Alliance: £2,000 was awarded towards a Yoga 4 Health social prescribing protocol to support vulnerable and elderly people in the community. The original request was for £2,356.55, but the board reduced the amount awarded. The Yoga4Health programme is an NHS-commissioned and Personalised Care Institute (PCI) accredited early-intervention programme for individuals who would benefit from support in developing healthier habits[^2]. [^2]: Social prescribing is a non-medical approach to healthcare that connects patients with non-clinical services and activities to improve their health and wellbeing.
• Devizes Christmas Carol Service 2025: £500 was approved for the Devizes Christmas Carol Service 2025, which will be the third year that the Wyvern Club has held the service for the local community.
• Age UK Wiltshire: £2,000 was granted to Age UK Wiltshire for their Arts and Friendship Clubs, which aim to reduce isolation and promote creativity among older people in rural areas. The funding will specifically support the Devizes Arts and Friendship club.
• Wiltshire Football Association: £4,507.50 was approved for the Wiltshire Football Association's Roots and Shoots project, a crime prevention and safeguarding programme targeting young people at risk of involvement in anti-social behaviour or the criminal justice system.

Community Governance Review

The board discussed the ongoing Community Governance Review (CGR) for the Devizes, Marlborough, and Royal Wootton Bassett & Cricklade Area Boards. The review, which began on 19 November 2025, will consider the internal and external boundaries of the parishes, as well as other electoral arrangements, such as councillor numbers, grouping, merging, abolishing, or creating parishes. According to the Devizes Community Governance Review 2025.26 - Briefing note, the statutory criteria for the review are to ensure that the arrangements:

• Reflect the identity and interests of local communities
• Ensure effective and convenient local governance

Highways and Winter Preparedness

Simon Rowe, Operations Resilience Manager, Highways, presented the council's winter preparedness plans. The presentation covered statutory duties, Wiltshire Council policy, weather forecasting, salting routes, and communication strategies during severe weather. The Area Board noted that not all bus routes were covered by the salting routes if they were part of a secondary salting route, blocked gullies by leaves can be reported to highways on the MyWilts App, although it was noted that there was no statutory responsibility on councils to clear leaves, the need to be flexible during weather events and the use of alternative routes, and Parish Stewards placing flooding signs where excessive surface water is causing an issue and highways crews attempt to clear any blockages.

Police Update

Inspector Simon Garrett of the Devizes Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) provided an update on police activities in the area. The Police - Devizes NPT update - Dec 2025 noted a slight reduction in crime figures overall, with an increase in theft offences and a reduction in violence, arson/damage, burglary, and other offences. Positive team detection rates were reported at 32.5%.

Northgate Street, Devizes

The board received an update on the situation in Northgate Street, Devizes, following a fire. A Listed Building Consent (LBC) application to demolish the building (PL/2025/06228) has been received, but the planning case officer is awaiting more specific details from third parties on how the demolition will proceed and how the buildings on either side will be safeguarded. The situation structurally is very complex and Historic England's specialist structural engineers are also providing advice. There is no timeline for when the LBC application will be completed due to the reliance on third parties. Following approval of the LBC application, the building would need to be demolished, and another application would need to be submitted addressing the re-building of the property.

Area Board Priorities and Action Plan

Updates were given on the Area Board priorities and actions:

• Joint working with Parish Council work is increased: Councillor Philip Whitehead expressed his desire to see all Parish Councils represented at Area Board meetings.
• More people facing food poverty: The Engagement and Partnership Lead discussed the food ladder and food insecurity within the Devizes community.
• More people with complex or special needs are assisted to gain employment: An update will be provided at the next Area Board meeting.
• To improve the emotional Resilience and Wellbeing in Devizes community area Young People: Sessions being held at the Devizes Area Youth Lounge are inclusive, but young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) have asked for separate sessions, which are in the final stages of organisation.
• To enable the youth space to be vibrant hub for young people: Councillor Maria Hoult reported that the art workshops funded by the Area Board should be happening soon.

Other Items

• The board received the Age UK - Wiltshire Newsletter - News and Views.
• The board received the Family and Community Learning Impact Report 2024-2025.
• The board received a briefing note on the Children and Young People Health and Wellbeing Survey 2026.
• The board received a briefing note on the Youth Council Elections 2026.
• The board received the Police - Road Safety UpdateDevizes01122025.
• Councillor Philip Whitehead provided an update on the Air Quality and Sustainable Transport group (AQST).