Minutes
Annual Parish
14th May 2026

Whicham Parish Annual Parish Meeting Held on Thursday 14 May 2026 Commencing 7.00pm in Silecroft Village Hall

Present: Cllr A Fell (Chair), and 15 electors of the Parish.

Apologies: None received.

PM1/26: Mrs Lesley Cooper, Low Marshside, Underhill nr Millom Cumbria was elected as clerk to the meeting.

PM2/26: Minutes: It was RESOLVED that the minutes from the Annual Parish Meeting held on 26 April 2025 be signed as a true and correct record.

PM3/26: Chairman’s Report: The Chair gave a brief overview of the work the Parish Council had undertaken over the last 12 months.

Still struggling to get Cumberland Council to commit to a permanent lease for the land that the café sits on. Received £24k for last 2 years temporary licence.

Beach car park, introduction of overnight Motorhome/camper vans bringing in additional income, still learning and learning from mistakes. It is proving popular with motorhomes.

Play areas – looking to refurbish the tennis courts.

Old Phone box, had problems with the electricity supply but should have donated defib fitted soon.

Dog fouling, still a problem on lane to fell and path to beach.

Thanked the councillors and clerk for all their hard work.

PM4/26: Talk by David Savage, Chair of Millom Town Deal Board: Mr Savage gave some background to the deal and the receipt of funding of c.£30m to revitalise the economy of Millom, especially the visitor economy.

Millom has a declining population, falling working population and a rising aged population.

Funding restricted to Millom and Haverigg area, and projects identified in the bid.

• Iron Line – visitor experience, RSPB £10m. Summer 2026 contract to be awarded working closely with RSPB/Natural England. Focus on education, volunteering, as well as food/beverage. About offering an experience.
• Millom Park – regeneration (covid project).
• Millom Leisure Centre, running track, 3g pitch, sports centre, swimming pool £12.5m. New operator appointed.
• Old bank – regeneration of Market Square Bank finished July 2026 an operator has been appointed. Top level for creative arts, 2nd level space for start ups. Exhibition area for hire.
• Barrow to Esk active travel scheme connecting Millom/Haverigg to other communities.
• Old Library re-opening with space for 60+ Sellafield workers to work from.
• Looking for Community Engagement.

The Chair thanked Mr Savage for his talk.

PM5/26: Open Forum: Discussion took part regarding sources of additional funding for projects within the town deal. Some residents questioned whether spending money on improvements was a waste with possibility of a GDF within the community.

PM6/26: The Chair thanked the speaker and residents for attending the meeting. The meeting closed at 8.30pm.

PM7/26: Date of Next Meeting: The next Annual Parish meeting will be held between 1 March and 1 June 2027.

Signed: …………………………………………………….   Dated: ………………………………………