Have your say on proposed parish changes in North Devon

Aerial image of housing. A North Devon Council logo is overlaid with text reading Community Governance Review.

Communities in North Devon are being asked to have their say on proposed changes to some parish and town councils.

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.

Councillor Christopher Norman, Chair of North Devon Council's Governance Committee, said: "The Community Governance Review is a crucial opportunity for residents in North Devon to help shape the future of their local town or parish council and ensure they are representative of the developments that have taken place in the area in recent years.

"We encourage everyone in the affected areas to take part in the consultation, which will help ensure our local councils truly reflect the needs of our communities."

Residents can view the detailed proposals and take part in the consultation by visiting northdevon.gov.uk/lets-talk. Alternatively, you may also submit your comments using the following methods:

  • By email to consultation@northdevon.gov.uk
  • By post to North Devon Council, PO Box 379, Barnstaple, EX32 2GR
  • Completing a paper copy, which is available at 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.)

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.