Does Poverty Exist in Marlborough?

This is the question being asked at the next Marlborough Area Board meeting on the 24th January.  Whilst the thriving town and its rural surrounding countryside might seem idyllic, we know there are pockets of deprivation, sometimes significant, often hidden.

The meeting will be hearing from Marlborough Area Poverty Action Group about it’s work on tackling this situation and the projects it wishes to take forward.  Last summer, the group helped to fund children and young people to take part in leisure activities that they would otherwise not had the chance to enjoy and this year they want to build on that.

We’ll also be hearing about the extent of fuel poverty in the area with a presentation from the Centre for Sustainable Energy.  With a large number of older properties, often with poor insulation and off the gas-grid, it can be expensive and sometimes difficult to heat homes to the healthy minimum.

Finally, the FoodCloud programme will be introduced.  This is a scheme, run by Tesco’s Marlborough where surplus food is made available to different local charities and community groups on different nights to help feed people.  There are evening slots still available and Tesco’s are keen to fill them.  If you are interested in this, come along to find out more.

As well as the poverty theme, the area board meeting will also be taking the usual items including:

• Partner Updates
• Community Area Transport Group project updates
• Grant applications

This meeting takes place on Tuesday 24th January in Marlborough Town Hall.  There’s coffee and networking from 6.30pm with the meeting starting at 7.00.  For more information, please contact Andrew Jack, Community Engagement Manager on 01225 713109 or andrew.jack@wiltshire.gov.uk