Source: https://darleydale.gov.uk/meet-your-councillors/
Read: 2026-11-04
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Staff & Town Councillors – Darley Dale Town Council
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Staff & Town Councillors
Key Personnel
Jason Hedley
Town Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer (RFO)
Jason was formerly a member of the Diplomatic Service, serving in the UK and overseas for a number of years. He was promoted from Assistant Town Clerk to Town Clerk in March 2025 and in August 2026 he also became RFO.
His Environmental Management degree has been very beneficial to the Town Council when discussing environmental and planning issues in Darley Dale.
Jason grew up in the Peak District and now lives in Bakewell.
Call Jason: 01629 735248
Send an email to Jason
Sarah Rivett
Community Engagement Officer
Sarah joined Darley Dale Town Council in November 2022 taking on the newly created role as Community Engagement Officer. The purpose of Sarah’s role is to forge connections with residents, groups and businesses, enabling them to have more of an influence and say in Darley Dale.
Sarah previously worked as a Community Development Manager for a property management firm. Prior to that, she worked in marketing for a London-based investment management company.
Call Sarah: 01629 735248
Send an email to Sarah
Antony Crowder
Footpath Warden
Antony has been working for Darley Dale Town Council for 19 years. He is local to Darley Dale and takes great pride in helping maintain the footpaths and is appreciated by many in the community.
Councillors
Cllr Jason Farmer
Chair of the Council
Jason spent many years in retail and now runs a family business which owns a large portfolio of properties.
He was co-opted onto the Council in 2021 and was elected as Vice-Chair in October of that year and became Chair in January 2024.
He
is also a member of the Planning Committee and Finance Advisory Committee. Jason is also one of the lead councillors for Darley Dale Twinning.
Jason
represents the South Ward and
joined the Council to make a difference and give something back to his local community, where he has lived all his life.
Call Jason: 07711 650304
Send an email to Jason
Cllr Ian Adkin
Ian joined the council as Assistant Clerk in early 2020, just a week before the national lockdown. He became Town Clerk later that year, in December, and served in the role until March 2025, when he handed over to Jason Hedley and moved into the position of RFO. After stepping down from his officer duties, Ian returned to public service in a new capacity, becoming a Councillor in July 2026.
Ian is Chair of the Finance Advisory Committee and a lead councillor for the allotments in Darley Dale.
What has remained constant throughout is his deep commitment to the town and its environment. Ian is driven by a genuine passion for making Darley Dale a better, greener place in any way he can.
Send an email to Ian
Cllr Dave Chapman
David is a retired engineering business owner. He was co-opted onto the Town Council in May 2024 to represent the South Ward. David is Chair of the Planning Committee.
David’s main interests are sustainable energy solutions for the local community and supporting residents in their views of planning applications. He is a former Director of Derbyshire Dales Community Energy which helps identify suitable local businesses for free solar installations offset by long term energy purchase agreements.
Send an email to Dave
Cllr David Hood
David was co‑opted onto the Council in May 2026. He previously worked internationally in the textile industry from 1966 to 1999 before joining the UK Chambers of Commerce, retiring in 2013 as Head of International Trade for the East Midlands Chamber.
David is a member of the Finance Advisory Committee and Planning Committee. He is also lead councillor for Darley Dale in Bloom.
A Darley Dale resident since 1994, he has long been involved in community groups including Rotary, Matlock 41 Club and Aquabox, where he has served as a Trustee and Ambassador since 1996. He has also been a youth and Scout leader, and later a junior rugby coach with Matlock Rugby Club.
David brings extensive experience in fundraising for community and charity projects and is committed to using his skills and connections to support and strengthen the Darley Dale community.
Send an email to David
Cllr John Mordue
John Mordue worked for the local authority adult social care services sector for 30 years before retiring.
He was co-opted onto the Council in June 2021 and represents the South Ward. John is a lead councillor for the allotments in Darley Dale.
John has lived in Darley Dale since 1992 and his interests include allotments, the environment and promoting local community activity.
Send an email to John
Cllr Dave Oakley
Dave worked in the motor industry most of his working life before retiring. His first stint as Councillor was back in 2008-2011 and he was co-opted back onto the Council in December 2019, before becoming Mayor in 2020. He left the Town Council in 2024 and returned in 2026.
He is a member of the Finance Advisory Committee and Planning Committee. He is also lead councillor for Platform Housing.
Dave joined the Council to be able to help, guide and support the local community as well as helping influence decisions that best benefit the people of Darley Dale. You will often see Dave at The Whitworth, with his dog Pacher, catching up with the Town Clerk team and he is always on hand to catch up with residents and local businesses.
Call David: 07414 274245
Send an email to Dave
Cllr Carol Taylor
Carol was co-opted to the Council in April 2026. She lives in Hackney and was previously a Town Councillor. She is active locally including setting up the Speedwatch on Old Hackney Lane, chairing the Wirksworth Festival and is currently part of the Friends of Matlock Forest campaigning group.
Before retirement she worked in education at local and national level.
Send an email to Carol
Cllr David Wheeler
Vice Chair of the Council
David has lived in Darley Dale since 1977 and previously worked at HJ Enthoven & Sons before retiring in 2012.
He was a founder member of Matlock Canoe Club and is a keen skier and fell walker. Also for a number of years David was Chair of Trustees for Friends of Blencathra Ltd and Trustee at the LEVEL Centre in Rowsley. Since October 2024 David became a
member of The Whitworth Trust. He is also a member of both the Planning Committee and the Finance Advisory Committee for the Town Council. Having previously worked at Ecobat he is also lead councillor for Ecobat.
David has a plethora of experience organising events and is keen to put that experience to hand when helping the Town Council organise events in Darley Dale.
Call David: 07936 138563
Send an email to David
Cllr James Wilson
James moved to Darley Dale in 2019 after being a regular visitor to the area for work. He has worked in the brewing industry for the last 14 years, with community playing a big role in his work. He is lead councillor for Darley Dale’s Speedwatch Group and Twinning.
He wanted to join the Town Council to make sure that the local community had a voice and to improve the area for everyone.
In particular, he wants to make sure that young people in the area get the help and support they need, and that the local environment is cared for and improved.
James joined the Council in May 2023 and is a member of the Planning Committee. He is also one of the lead councillors for Speedwatch and the lead councillor for Darley Dale in Bloom.
Call James: 07470 713067
Send an email to James
We currently have three vacancies to become a Town Councillor, if you’re a resident or work in the town and you want to make a real difference locally we’d love to add you to our waiting list, please contact 01629 735248 or email: townclerk@darleydale.gov.uk
Other Local Elected Representatives
Derbyshire Dales District Council
District Cllr David Burton
T: 01629 734072
E:
david.burton@derbyshiredales.gov.uk
District Cllr Marilyn Franks
E:
marilyn.franks@derbyshiredales.gov.uk
District Cllr Roger Shelley
E:
roger.shelley@derbyshiredales.gov.uk
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