ILAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday 10 September 2024 @7pm Ilam School

Present C Sellers, L Oulsnam, (Clerk) N Taylor, V Nottage, R Wain, C Hibbert -Foy, K Warrington

L Hayward, (NT), I Frith, G Nottage, K Whelan (YHA)

Apologies Cllr E Wain, A Chillingworth (NT), B Gorman (Staffs Police)

Minutes

• Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 9 July 2024 were read and signed as true and correct.

National Trust

• Dovedale Stepping Stones have been repaired – was a significant piece of work with lots of work involved in the preparation to help reduce the impact on visitors, glad to see it back in order.

• Incidents and antisocial behaviour – following what seemed to be a trend we meet with Police (at various levels) to ensure they are aware.  We are ensuring that we report all incidents to police.

• Litter has significantly reduced over the last three weeks, we have made some alterations to our services with some additional approaches by our teams, signage, and concerted cleaning by ranger team and perhaps news coverage may have helped, though the shift in weather is also likely to be a factor. Now looking to plan for improvements in 2025.

• Stone bollard and ironwork in village that was damaged by a car has been repaired.

• End of summer tasks being completed by the ranger/garden team e.g.: hay cuts in Ilam Park, garden pruning and hedge cutting will begin, tree safety inspections and planning enhancements to our Play Area.

• Fly fishing is being trialled this year over the length from the bridge in Ilam to St Bertram’s bridge.

• Weal Orchard - after considering the various merits and obstacles we have decided not to pursue additional parking on Weal Orchard for the foreseeable future.

• Ranger team reduced slightly with one Assistant Ranger coming to the end of their temporary contract.

• First theatre production took place, was well received – any feedback from the local community about the event welcomed

• Two fell runs have taken place – feedback from both has been positive and no negative disruption noticed.

• Noted the village has had some maintenance work caried out, the results look very good, well done all.

• G Nottage raised what precautions are being taken to remove Himalayan Balsam by river and paradise.

• L Hayward informed that volunteers have removed what they can in the area and have an ongoing program to remove it.

• G Nottage raised what are the plans with Thorpe Cloud as it looks untidy due to reduced stock, and the large number of thistles and ragwort and that it needs to be tidied up to maintain this area of beauty.

• L Hayward explained it is due to reduced stock and longer grass as part of stewardship scheme and he is keen to address how it looks and managed.

• L Oulsnam raised issues of visitors chasing sheep and could some signs be made to make visitors aware of not chasing sheep. They need to be put on the gates as visitors enter the park.

• C Sellers raised issue of the car park sign at the entrance to Dovedale. When the car park is full, and the Car Park Full sign is not manned by NT Staff to inform visitors, this impacts the Village and The Izaak Walton Hotel as staff and guests cannot get in or out of the road. .C Sellers suggested that it needs to manned to alert people when it is closed, not just a sign that says closed and

visitors ignore this sign. It needs a sign to inform visitors where the car park is in Ilam.

G Nottage suggested putting the signs at the entrance to the drive at Ilam Hall Car Park to say its full, so not to impact the village.

C Sellers suggested at busy times we could use Weal Orchard to park cars on to increase village funds.

• R Wain raised the issue of parking at the church for funerals /weddings and people having to pay to park up at the carpark due to unable to park on grass in bad weather / poor conditions. L Hayward to investigate and update.

National Trust

Hinckley Bridge Replacement

We have appointed Beaver Bridges who are an approved contractor and have delivered many projects of this scale.

They have produced the below draft design which we need to submit for planning approval (8 – 12 weeks for decision following submission). The bridge will have a bolted galvanised steel beam structure to span the river with hardwood stairs, balustrading, and platforms.  

The planning application process will be longer due to new legislation which has come into play called ‘biodiversity net gain’ (BNG). Due to the nature of the site and its multiple designations this part of the planning process will require more ecology input and surveys.

Following a successful planning decision approximate lead times are as follows.

• Full design - 8 weeks

• Manufacture - 8 weeks 

• On site duration – 2/3 weeks

Estimated start on site date Summer 2025

Accessible footpaths – Ilam Park – Phase 2

Phase 2 of the accessible paths at Ilam Park is due to start on site on the 9^th of September and will have a 7 week contract period. During this time some of the routes around Ilam Park will be limited, signage will be provided to alert visitors to this. The tearoom will also be relocated into the stableyard area for a short time to allow improved surfacing works to take place. The route from the main car park into the site for visitors will also be rerouted during the contract period to allow safe pedestrian/vehicle movements. The Oaks play area will also be out of use to allow contractors access for material and machinery.

• The project scope consists of new and upgraded path surfacing and associated drainage.  ​

• The route will link into the new paths constructed as part of Phase 1.​

• The path width shall be 1.8m where possible, and gradients will be minimised where feasible, and resting places will be incorporated where not.  ​

• Benches will be constructed to take in key views.

YHA Ilam Hall

• K Whelan updated that the Youth Hostel has had a busy summer and lots of school groups visiting throughout the year, enjoying visiting Ilam with small groups netting and river studies in the village.

Improving Village Environment

• Thank you to I Frith for organising a village working party to tidy up the village. The village looks beautiful and thank you to everyone who came to help.

• V Nottage to organise bulbs for planting throughout the village.

• L Oulsnam and R Wain will plant bulbs in the monument for spring.

Highways

• C Sellers and L Oulsnam sent letter to Highways about ongoing Highway Issues and issues are still ongoing A further email to be sent regarding these issues logged.

Finance

• Balance in account: £1628.66p

AOB

• C Hibbert -Foy suggested a community WhatsApp group. Update to follow

• Date of next meeting: Tuesday 12 November at Ilam School 7pm