ILAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday 09 September 2025 @7pm Ilam School
At the Extraordinary Meeting, Chair Carolyn Wilderspin, on behalf of the committee, expressed thanks to the outgoing councillors Caroline Sellers, Lindsay Oulsnam, Nigel Taylor, and Paul Watson.
Present C Wilderspin, R Wain, K Warrington, Cllr E Wain, A Chillingworth, (NT) A Linnet (NT), J Moffatt (Staffs Police), I Frith, H Allen, C Andrews, A Andrews, K Tipper.
Apologies V Nottage, L Oulsnam (Clerk)
Minutes
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 15 July 2025 were read and signed as true and correct.
National Trust
Our expression of interest in Heritage Lottery funding has been accepted. This means that we have been invited to submit a development bid application in May next year. If we are successful, the funding we receive will help us develop our infrastructure and resources at both Ilam Park and Dovedale, enabling us to better connect people, nature and heritage across the White Peak, and support delivery of our new strategy. We will be seeking input from a variety of stakeholders including the local community throughout the development of the project.
We are currently working up a planning application for an accessible route into the Italianate gardens which we aim to submit to the PDNPA in November following the outcome of ecological surveys.
We are looking at resurfacing existing sections of path within Ilam Park (these are exempt from planning permission) including from Battle Stone to the gate past the bridge, and from St Bertram’s bridge to the steps leading into Hinkley Wood. This will make the routes smoother and easier for all users of the site to access.
Alongside our daily litter picks we have organised a couple of group picks to enable us to cover more of the area in and around Dovedale after busy periods. We have a further group pick planned for Wednesday 29th October. A big thank you to residents for their support with keeping the area free from litter.
Improving Village Environment
Not discussed.
Highways
Not discussed.
Finance
Balance in account: £1,271.89
AOB
New councilors have been co-opted to fill four vacancies, and a new Clerk has been appointed.
New councilors appointed: I Frith, H Allen, K Tipper, C Andrews (Clerk).
J. Moffatt from Staffordshire Police took contact details for Staffordshire Smart Alerts. If you’d like to receive local updates, please visit the Staffordshire Police website to register.
Date of next meeting: Tuesday 11 November 2025 @ Ilam School 7pm