Who Does What? – Your Guide to Council Responsibilities

Here’s a quick breakdown of the duties of North Devon District Council, Devon County Council and Town/Parish Councils.

North Devon Council Responsibilities

For more information, see all of our services.

Devon County Council Responsibilities

The County Council has responsibilities for the wider infrastructure and services across Devon, including:

  • Education: Schools, admissions, school transport, and special educational needs
  • Highways and Transport: Roads maintenance, potholes, street lighting (in some areas), footpaths, and public transport services
  • Libraries and Archives
  • Public Health: Health improvement programmes and health protection
  • Social Care: Support for children and adults, including elderly care, fostering and adoption
  • Strategic Planning: Overseeing transport and infrastructure planning for the county
  • Trading Standards: Consumer protection and business advice
  • Waste Disposal: Managing recycling centres and waste disposal (but not collection)

For more information, visit Devon County Council’s website.

Town/Parish Council Responsibilities 

  • Allotments
  • Bus shelters
  • Community centres and village halls
  • Footpaths and bridleways
  • Local events and festivals
  • Maintenance of some open spaces
  • Street lighting (in some areas)
  • War memorials

For more information about your specific Town or Parish Council, please visit their website. To find out your local council, please use our mapping tool.