Westbury Area Board granted seven funding requests at the first area board meeting to be held at Leigh Park Community Centre last week.

The meeting also included a presentation from Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angus MacPherson on the draft Police and Crime Plan.

Three of the projects were area board led, with a grant of £235 to fund a publicity campaign to raise awareness of the Westbury Weaver bus service.

The board also granted funding of £3,758 for the design, purchase and installation of five information display boards at the White Horse viewing area on the B3098 and at the Mead.

While a further £991 will be spent on installing kissing gates and horse stiles on rights of way throughout the Westbury community area to address concerns raised by dog walkers, pedestrians and horse riders about quad bikers using them inappropriately.

Grants were also given to Westbury Area Wellbeing Group for £350 to set up Tai Chi classes for the elderly, £650 for Extended Services’ Pupils Voice project and £210 for embroidered sweatshirts for Westbury Guides.

The BA13+ Community Area Partnership was also granted £3,711 to fund the running costs and activities of the partnership.