Parish of North Molton NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that due to the resignation of Cllr Claire Barron, a vacancy has arisen in the Office of Councillor for the Parish Council. If by 14 August, 2025 (14 days excluding Dies Non, after the date of this notice) a request for an election to fill said vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer at the address below by TEN electors for the said Parish, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy, otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.

If an election is called, it will take place not later than 17 October, 2025. Dated 25 July, 2025 Ken Miles Returning Officer Lynton House Commercial Road Barnstaple Devon EX31 1DG

The Parish Council is considering application for 20 mph through the village, but any changes will depend upon several variables that are considered at County level: degree of local support, evidence of speeding, evidence of accidents, vulnerable road/footpath users, and level of local deprivation. 

Previous speed-checks have found no significant speeding issues, although anecdotal evidence suggests otherwise. In order to go forwards, two key elements need to be addressed - the first is local support, and Sarah Springett Spurr has created a petition at https://chng.it/ZVBLgvLr6J 

The second is the amount of speeding, and to address this there most likely needs to be a local Community Speedwatch Group - volunteers needed.

There will  be a public session on Speed Limits in the village at the September meeting (Weds 10th 7:30pm The Victory Hall) - you are encouraged to attend. Numbers will also be used to show support for any initiatives.

Please find attached the latest Griffiths Traffic Bulletin for the North Devon Link Road Project - A361 - (Portmore to Borners Bridge) or click HERE to view online at the Griffiths Community Website under Traffic Updates.This bulletin contains important Traffic Information regarding night closures and traffic management programme.For additional project information or to view all newsletters and traffic updates online, please visit the Griffiths in the Community North Devon Link Road website HERE

North Devon Council is reviewing the boundaries and electoral arrangements of some parishes within the council area as part of a Community Governance Review. 

A Community Governance Review is a way for district councils to make sure that, at parish level, governance arrangements are working as efficiently and effectively as they should be. They can be undertaken periodically and provide an opportunity to put in place strong, clearly defined boundaries which reflect local identities and facilitate effective and convenient local government. It considers the creation, merging and alteration of parishes, and their election arrangements.

A number of parishes have put forward proposals due to population changes and shifts in natural settlements caused by new development.

Barnstaple Town Council and Fremington and Tawstock parish councils are proposing reviews of their boundaries. 

Barnstaple and Ilfracombe town councils, and Fremington, North Molton and Tawstock parish councils have requested reviews of the number of wards or councillors they have.

Residents in the affected parishes are encouraged to have their say on the proposals that affect them by taking part in a consultation, which is open until 30 September 2025.

Residents can view the detailed proposals and take part in the consultation by visiting northdevon.gov.uk/lets-talk. The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and your views and feedback are valued.

The council will oversee the review and will produce draft and final recommendations following the consultation. The final recommendations will be approved by full council before a Community Governance Order is made.

Final recommendations are expected to be published in April 2026 and will come into effect the following year ahead of town and parish council elections in May 2027.

Residents in North Devon and Torridge are being invited to have their say on the future of local government in the county.

In December 2024 the Government announced plans to simplify the structure of local government across England. Areas such as Devon, which currently has a county council and district councils in a two-tier system, are being asked to develop plans to move to a single-tier unitary authority.

North Devon and Torridge district councils have been working with councils across Devon to work up proposals, and in March 2025 an interim plan was submitted on behalf of all Devon's district councils, except Exeter.

The proposal, known as the '1-4-5 Plan', includes: 

• Creating a new unitary authority combining East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, Torridge and Exeter
• Forming another unitary authority covering South Hams, Teignbridge, West Devon and Torbay
• Keeping Plymouth as a standalone unitary authority 

Final proposals will be submitted to the Government in November 2025. Before then, the council would like to hear from residents, businesses and groups about what matters to them. 

A survey will run until 11 August 2025. Responses will help shape the final proposal and ensure it reflects the needs of the communities of northern Devon.

Councillor David Clayton, Leader of North Devon Council, said: "This is the biggest change to local government in North Devon for more than 50 years, and we are determined to ensure our proposals take into account the needs and aspirations of our communities.

"We want to hear from as many of our residents, businesses and local groups as possible. Your answers and insights will play a vital role in this change, and help us ensure North Devon and its communities are well represented and get the services they deserve for generations to come."

Councillor Ken James, Leader of Torridge District Council, said: “Services provided by the council, affect each and every one of us. If you want to have an input on what this will look like in the future, I would strongly urge you to make your voice heard and complete the questionnaire. These changes will affect many generations to come, so we are determined that our final proposals take into account as many, and as wide varying views as possible.”

Residents in the North Devon district can take part in the survey by visiting the Lets Talk North Devon website.

Paper copies are available for completion from the Town Centre Hub in Barnstaple's Green Lanes Shopping Centre, the Ilfracombe Centre, and the Amory Centre, South Molton. Opening hours are available on the council's website. Paper copies or large print copies of the survey are also available on request by emailing the council's Corporate and Community Services team. 

Torridge residents can complete the survey online on the Let's Talk website. 

If you need this survey as a paper version or large print you can request this by emailing customer.services@torridge.gov.uk or by calling 01237 428700 option 9. Paper copies are available at Riverbank House, Bideford, EX39 2QG.

Notification of Road Closure on FORE STREET, NORTH MOLTON

We are writing to inform you that South West Water has applied for a road closure to complete utility works outside Red Lion Cottage to near 1 New Oaks. These works, subject to approval from Devon Highways, will take place between 07/07/2025 and 11/07/2025. All efforts will be made to maintain access to properties within the area of the closure and minimise disruption.

If you require further information, please contact the Helpline on 0344 346 2020.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, we’ll make sure the work is completed as quickly as possible to minimise any disruption.  

South West Water

Please find attached the latest Griffiths Newsletter for the North Devon Link Road Project - A361 - (Portmore to Borners Bridge) or click HERE to view online at the Griffiths Community Website under Newsletters.

For additional project information or to view all newsletters and traffic updates online, please visit the Griffiths in the Community North Devon Link Road website HERE

Please find attached the latest Griffiths Traffic Bulletin for the North Devon Link Road Project - A361 - (Portmore to Borners Bridge) or click HERE to view online at the Griffiths Community Website under Traffic Updates. This bulletin contains important Traffic Information regarding night closures and traffic management programme. For additional project information or to view all newsletters and traffic updates online, please visit the Griffiths in the Community North Devon Link Road website HERE.

The Parish Council's contractor will be spraying weeds along the roads and pavements in the village next Tuesday (17th June), weather permitting.  The spray is safe to use in public areas. Anyone who has not previously notified Liz Bulled that you don't want the plants sprayed outside your house, please get in touch with her (details under Parish Council).

Please find attached the Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Annual Governance & Accountability Return (Exempt Authority) that relates to the 2024/25 audit of the Parish Council.  Audit documents can be found under Parish Council, Legal Documents - 2025 Audit - after the 12th of June.