The Melksham Area Board is scheduled to convene on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, to discuss a range of community matters. Key agenda items include updates from partner organisations, progress on local priorities, and consideration of funding applications.

Area Board Priority Updates

The meeting will review progress on the Area Board's six key priorities. These include improving provision for young people, creating a youth network, and running street art workshops with local schools in conjunction with the Youth Offending Team. Councillor Charlie Stokes is the Lead Member for the youth network initiative, while Councillor Jennie Westbrook is the Lead Member for the street art workshops.

Another priority is to maximise open space within the community area, with Councillor Jon Hubbard leading efforts to identify and enhance specific locations. The board will also examine ways to move food poverty from relief to community resilience by mapping provision and identifying areas for increased support, a task led by the Melksham Health and Wellbeing Group.

Furthermore, the Area Board will explore the establishment of a local housing management group, with Councillor Phil Alford and Councillor Nick Holder leading this initiative. Finally, efforts to help more people with complex or special needs gain employment will be discussed, involving collaboration with Wiltshire Council Adult Care Services to identify opportunities for employment, voluntary work, work experience, or training. All Melksham Area Board Councillors are listed as lead members for this priority.

Partner and Community Updates

Updates are scheduled from various partner organisations. These include Wiltshire Police, providing information on their activities and road safety initiatives. Representatives from Town and Parish Councils will also offer their insights.

Community First will present its monthly briefing for February 2026, which includes appendices detailing their Splash Information Leaflet, a case study titled From Hidden Carer to Community Volunteer - Cyrilla's Story, and another case study on Building Bridges. ¹ BSW Together, the Integrated Care Board, will also provide an update for February 2026. Additionally, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service will present their quarterly video update.

Sub-Group Reports

The meeting will receive reports from several sub-groups. The Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG) will present its minutes and any recommendations from its meeting on 5 February 2026, including an update on expenditure for 2025-26. The Melksham Health & Wellbeing Group will also provide an update, with their notes from 5 February 2026 available. Finally, an update from the Melksham Local Youth Network is expected.

Area Board Funding

Consideration will be given to funding applications, with remaining budgets detailed for Community Area Grants (£8,212.00), Older and Vulnerable grants (£5,232.50), and Young People's grants (£8,616.00).

Several Area Board Initiatives are seeking funding: Melksham Area Board - Melksham Teen Takeover (£5000.00) and Melksham Area Board – Tackling Transportation Obstacles to Accessing Local Support Services (£2730.00).

Community Area Grant applications include Corsham Cricket Club for a new sports pavilion (£4000.00), Melksham Amateur Boxing Club for new equipment (£500.00), Bowerhill Baby and Toddler Group for cleaning and play resources (£419.99), Steeple Ashton Guides Brownies and Rainbows for damp and mould prevention at their storage facility (£120.00), 4Youth South West for roof repairs at the Canberra Centre (£5000.00), and Bowerhill Village Hall Trust for air conditioning installation (£5000.00).

For Older and Vulnerable grants, Age UK Wiltshire is seeking £2500.00 for Melksham Daytime Discos. The 1st Bowerhill Scout Group has applied for £491.00 for Bushcraft Knife and Tomahawk Axe Equipment. 4Youth South West has also applied for £5000.00 for their No Limits Inclusive Youth Club for Young People with SEND. Melksham Town Council is requesting £1760.00 for the Bath Road Toilets Art Project at KGV.