ILAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday 11 March 2025 @7pm Ilam School

Present C Sellers, L Oulsnam, (Clerk) N Taylor, V Nottage, R Wain, K Warrington, Cllr G Heath,

I Banks, I Frith

Apologies C Hibbert-Foy, Cllr E Wain, A Chillingworth, L Hayward

Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 21 January 2025 were read and signed as true and correct.

National Trust

Planning for the reinstatement of the fountain in the Italian gardens at Ilam has now been approved; installation by June at the latest – many thanks again to the PC for their support
Planning application will soon be going in for the infrastructure needed to install ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) in the car park at Dovedale – we hope this will increase car park compliance and reduce out of hours anti-social behavior
Ranger team investigating matting to be used in the overflow car park at Dovedale, which would enable it to be used for more of the year – ground is currently too wet, despite a fairly dry period
Natural England have informed us that they would not support a planning application for the replacement Hinkley Bridge due to the potential impact on Hinkley Wood, which is classed as a Special Area of Conservation. This makes approval from PDNPA unlikely. We are exploring alternative options that may be more likely to secure support from NE.
We are working with the YHA to instate level access into the Italian gardens at Ilam, which would enable people with access needs, pushchairs, wheelchairs etc. to access the gardens – this will likely be the next planning application that gets submitted.

Improving Village Environment

The Monument will be planted up in May for summer with Geraniums. L Oulsnam to organise with help from the monument team.
We have received a grant from Cllr E Wain for £125.00p for the monument planting project for summer bedding plants and future monument projects.
I Frith to organise a village working party to clean and tidy the village. update to follow.

Highways

Cllr G Heath updated that they will do maintenance and patchwork outside the school in 2025 and full resurfacing and yellow lines in 2026. C Sellers and L Oulsnam to chase up this work with the new county councillor in May.
C Sellers asked about 30 signs in the village and if any faded yellow lines can be repainted if required- Cllr G Heath will investigate this for the village.
K Warrington asked for the culvert by Plantation Garage to be reported. It has been previously reported and Oulsnam will report again.

Finance

AOB

VE 80 Commerative event will be organised. update and invites to follow.
As we get busier with visitors and increased car parking issues - C Sellers has asked if we can take pictures of any illegally parked vehicles and send to Parking@stoke.gov.uk where they will return an email and tell you what to do next.
Planning application NP/SM/0325/0199 was discussed.
K Whelen sent an update from YHA Ilam Hall. Monday Winter socials had 1 regular in attendance, further feedback for next winter and a later time of 3 pm so more people could attend a warm space / social drop in for local residents. YHA to continue with river dipping as an activity for children staying at the youth Hostel. Kelly is reviewing funding options for pond dipping.