North Molton Parish News

There’s been plenty to discuss at Parish Council, so here’s a little round-up of the latest news, updates and a few things to keep on our radar.

● Footpath to Limeslake (Footpath 2): the bridge is still closed for repairs, with a new expected completion date of 4th December 2026.

● Back Lane to Oakford Villas: the weeds have been cleared by North Devon Homes, but the gullies still need attention. Cllr Darley is also arranging for overhanging vegetation from neighbouring land to be cut back. 

● Northland Cross: concerns about the placement of the sign have been reported to Highways, who are investigating.

● Hollywell Meadows: good news! The street lights are now working. The interactive speed sign is being a little temperamental, though, and this has been reported.

● Heasley Mill: the missing village sign will be raised with County at the next Highways team meeting.

Defibrillator update - There’s currently a global shortage of pads for certain defibrillator models. The paediatric pads for The Poltimore are on back order, and the adult pads expire in December. Council discussed purchasing two replacement sets of pads at around £140 each — one ready for December and another spare in case the shortage continues. Better to be prepared! 

Dog poo bins & village tidiness

We know this topic gets people talking! Council discussed dog waste bins and agreed that, given the cost of installing and regularly emptying them, they aren’t justified at present. The expectation is that dog owners take their poo bags home and dispose of them in their black bin. Please do your bit to keep our village looking lovely. Village tidiness and general maintenance were also discussed as part of the budget conversations.

A footpath request. The possibility of a footpath between the top of Broad Close and Jubilee Gardens was raised by a parishioner. Unfortunately, the land is privately owned and, even if that weren’t an issue, the cost would be beyond the Parish Council’s budget.

A big thank you. At the meeting, the Chair thanked Sir Richard Peek, who is standing down after many years of service to the Parish in various roles, most recently as Chairman. We’re grateful for the time, commitment and hard work he has given to our community. Thank you, Richard! 

The latest Parish Forum attended by the Chair, Innes Milne, covered Community Emergency Hubs and the Local Government Review — important topics as we look at how our communities can be supported in the future.

That’s the latest from your Parish Council. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to raise concerns, share ideas and help make our parish a better place to live. Don't forget, we are always looking for volunteers to help with various activities.

Have a question or something you’d like the Council to know? Please get in touch — we’re always keen to hear from residents. Why not come along to one of the Meet Your Council events in the Community Shop?

Many thanks

Cllr Rachel Beaman

Dear residents

Please be advised of two road closures coming up in North Molton Parish.

ROAD FROM BARTON CROSS TO COMBESHEAD CROSS for works that is required to provide fibre to the premise on this street. Dates: 23/11 - 27/11.See attached notice for Barton Cross, which also has a map and details of diversion.

ROAD FROM BAMPFYLDE CROSS TO CROSS LANE CROSS, ROAD FROM BAMPFYLDE CROSS TO GREAT HEASLEY & ROAD FROM HEASLEY MILL CROSS TO BAMFYLDE CROSS for works that is required to provide fibre to the premise on this street. Dates 30/11 - 4/12See attached notice for Honeywins Cross, which also has a map and details of diversion.

My name is Andrew Darley and I am a member of North Molton Parish Council. I have just recently taken over the job of snow Warden from Bill Geen.

The job of snow warden is not to clear snow, but make sure there is a supply of salt available for people to use on the public highway. To this end, I will be able to get a limited supplies of salt bags which I and other volunteers will put in certain key locations where it may be needed. CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS - if you would like to take on putting out bags at key sites in your neighbourhood (usually only once at the start of the cold season), please get in touch. Note, the salt/grit is for use on the public highways, and if parishioners want to grit their drives etc, then they need to buy their own supplies.

As well as managing the salt bags from County, I will be communicating with Highways to make sure that all of the salt bins are in good order and have a supply of salt in them. There are 15 bins in the parish and I’m also asking if any members of the public would like to adopt a bin near them or one that they pass regularly - to keep an eye on salt levels and let me know when they require more so that I can arrange for the Highways to get it topped up.  We have recently done a check and also extricated some bins from brambles and overgrowth.

Regarding the Council gritting lorries, much to the frustration of the Parish Council and many members of the public, the council have refused to divert the gritting lorries into the Square and down Back Lane, even though we’ve tried to get them to see reason for several years. So this year the Parish Council is employing a private contractor to grit the Square, Back Lane and up to the shop when conditions require.

If you are willing to adopt a bin and/or distribute salt bags, please contact me (contact details are on the Parish Council website). Without volunteers, coverage may be limited.

Thanks, Andrew

Written by Cllr Mandy English.

I am a counsellor on the Parish Council and I’m part of a small group looking at our communication . When I joined the council I had very little idea of what the Parish Council did and what our remit was and I don’t think I’m the only one in the parish! Myself and Counsellor Rachel Beaman are working together to improve communication and will be posting regular features to inform the Parish of our work. If there is anything you would like more information on about what the Parish Council does - and doesn’t - do please get in touch.

Our October submission is on defibrillators around the Parish, managed by different teams depending on location. See the list at the bottom of this post.

Defibrillators – who, what, where, when, how and why

Let’s start with the why? Simply put, to save someone’s life.

What is a defibrillator? It is a device that gives a high energy shock to the heart of someone who is having a heart attack.

Who can use it? Anyone can follow the simple instructions.

Who can it be used on? Anyone over about 1 year old. There are paediatric pads (for children under 8 years old), although most defibrillators are set up with adult pads installed as by far the most use is on adults. Switching between the two sets of pads is simple. (There is a global shortage of paediatric pads at the time of posting, and we are waiting for the one for The Poltimore to arrive)

When should it be used? A defibrillator should be used immediately on someone who is unresponsive, not breathing normally, and suspected of experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (heart attack). Key signs include sudden collapse, unresponsiveness, abnormal or no breathing, no detectable pulse. It is not needed if someone faints or has a seizure (eg people with epilepsy). If a pacemaker is visible or can be felt under the skin (or someone tells you the person has one – ask people that they are with), pads should not be placed directly over the device, as this can affect device function or the effectiveness of the shock. Instead, they should be positioned slightly away from the device site. In an emergency, taking action quickly is far more important than worrying about whether a pacemaker is present.

How do you use it? The machines talk you through the process, and you attach two pads on the chest, press a button, stand back, and it does the rest – assessing heart beat and deciding whether or not to deliver a shock. There is a support pack that contains various items, including a razor to shave a hairy chest so that the pads can stick, and scissors to cut through clothing. Modesty has to fall by the wayside, as bras must be removed (usually cut off) for effective pad placement.

It would be extremely useful if every person in the parish watched one or more videos on how to use a defib – have a look at the front page of the village website (www.northmoltonvillage.co.uk).

Where are they?

• North Molton Village - The Poltimore Inn porch (sedative.segregate.enacts)

• North Molton Village - The Sports Club (aquatics.showering.pillow)

• Heasley Mill - The Old Phonebox (remedy.purse.tomorrow)

• Twitchen – Twitchen Village Hall (clearcut.loops.shams)

Also find out where the nearest one is to your place of work.

Notification of Road Closure – Work Ref: LM501NC12803602 on East Street, North Molton

South West Water has applied for a road closure to complete utility works from near Maycott to near Green Acres. These works, subject to approval from Devon Highways, will take place between 16/11/2026 and 20/11/2026.

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.

After the resignation of Sir Richard Peek, residents are asked to contact District if they would like an election to go ahead for his replacement - please see attached for details.

We have a vacancy on North Molton Parish Council.  If you would like to put your name forwards to join us in working for a better parish, or want more information, please contact the Clerk Ian Fisher on 07784 177666 or (preferably) clerk@northmoltonparish.gov.uk.

Please note, you must fulfil eligibility requirements, which will be provided on request. Importantly, you must either be a registered elector in the Parish, or have lived/worked in the Parish for the last 12 months (or 3 miles maximum from the Parish boundary). You also need to be aware that the contact details (phone and email) and registered interests of Councillors are made public by law.

Closing date Weds 21st October. What happens thereafter will depend on the level of response.

Thanks, Ian

Here are a few highlights from our Parish Council meeting on 9 September 👇

25 years of service! We were delighted to congratulate Cllr Ron Procter on 25 years of service to North Molton Parish Council. A huge thank you, Ron, for all your hard work and contribution to our community over the years! 

Laurels Playground It’s great to see the playground being well used. We’re continuing to look at maintenance and improvements to keep it looking good and enjoyable for everyone.

Highways & footpaths Work continues on drainage, roadside weeds, hedge trimming and general highway maintenance. Highways are looking into vegetation on the Broad Close footway and problems on Back Lane. Resurfacing of New Road is scheduled for 2027, and we continue to pursue improvements to our local footpaths, including the Back Lane–Oakford Villas route.

Meet Your Councillors A big thank you to everyone who came along to our recent Meet Your Councillors event at the shop. It was really useful to hear directly from parishioners about the issues that matter to you. Issues raised will be discussed at our next Council meeting.

Please keep getting in touch, raising concerns and sharing your suggestions. Your feedback really does help us focus on the things that matter to our community.

North Molton Parish Council

ROAD FROM MARSH HALL TO LOWER POOLE FARM, NORTH MOLTON

TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC

NOTICE is hereby given that Devon County Council has made the above titled order. From Anticipated finish MONDAY 19 OCTOBER 2026 to SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER 2026. No person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed on the sections of Affected Roads.

Roads affected - ROAD FROM MARSH HALL TO LOWER POOLE FARM, NORTH MOLTON.

The alternative, signed, route for vehicles will be via - MARSH HALL TO LOWER POOLE FARM, OAKFORD CROSS TO BORNERS BRIDGE, OAKFORD CROSS TO NORTH MOLTON CROSS, MARSH HALL TO LOWER POOLE FARM & VICE VERSA.

This temporary restriction is considered necessary to enable - CABLING WORKS For additional information contact: FREEFLOW TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT Telephone: 0800 085 9194

EAST STREET, NORTH MOLTON

TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC

DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL hereby give NOTICE that: From Until MONDAY 26 OCTOBER 2026 for a maximum of 5 days FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER 2026 (both dates inclusive). No person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed on the sections of Affected Roads.

Roads affected - EAST STREET, NORTH MOLTON, (OUTSIDE GREENACRES).

The alternative, signed, route for vehicles will be via - EAST STREET, HIGH BULLEN CROSS TO BRINSWORTHY CROSS, BRINSWORTHY CROSS TO HOLYWELL CROSS, HOLYWELL CROSS TO TWITCHEN BALL CORNER, TWITCHEN BALL CORNER TO SANDYWAY CROSS, SANDYWAY, WITHYPOOL CROSS TO NEW BRIDGE, NEW BRIDGE TO CHAPEL LANE, CHAPEL LANE TO SPARROW LANE, QUARRY HEAD LANE, B3223, UNION STREET, B3222, A369, B3227, A361, OAKFORD CROSS TO BORNERS BRIDGE, OAKFORD CROSS TO NORTH MOLTON CROSS, FORE STREET, EAST STREET & VICE VERSA

This temporary restriction is considered necessary to enable - NEW WATER CONNECTION For additional information contact: KIER ON BEHALF OF SOUTH WEST WATER Telephone: 03443462020

THE COUNTY OF DEVON (TEMPORARY RESTRICTION) - ROAD FROM HOLYWELL CROSS TO TWITCHEN BALL CORNER, TWITCHEN

NOTICE 2026 TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC

DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL hereby give NOTICE that: From MONDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2026 for a maximum of 5 days until WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2026 (both dates inclusive). No person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed on the sections of Affected Roads.

Roads affected - ROAD FROM HOLYWELL CROSS TO TWITCHEN BALL CORNER, TWITCHEN

The alternative, signed, route for vehicles will be via - ROAD FROM SANDWAY CROSS TO MUDGATE CROSS, ROAD FROM MUDGATE CROSS TO WHITE POST CROSS, ROAD FROM WHEATCLOSE CROSS TO WHITE POST CROSS, ROAD FROM WHITE POST CROSS TO RIDGEWAY CROSS, ROAD FROM RIDGEWAY CROSS TO MOOR LANE CROSS NORTH, MOOR LANE, GULLYHOLE HILL, LATCHGATE HILL, STONEMOOR LANE, CRAMP LANE, ROAD FROM ABBOTS CROSS TO BOTTREAUX MILL CROSS, ROAD FROM BOTTREAUX MILL CROSS TO BOMMERTOWN CROSS, ROAD FROM BOMMERTOWN CROSS TO WADHAM CROSS, B3227, A361, ROAD FROM OAKFORD CROSS TO BORNERS BRIDGE, ROAD FROM OAKFORD CROSS TO NORTH MOLTON CROSS, FORE STREET, EAST STREET, ROAD FROM HIGH BULLEN CROSS TO BRINSWORTHY CROSS AND VICE VERSA

This temporary restriction is considered necessary to enable - PATCHING For additional information contact: MILESTONE INFRASTRUCTURE Telephone: 020 3307 8051

See attached traffic notice

TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC & PARKING

DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL hereby give NOTICE that: from THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 for a maximum of 5 days until FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2026 (both dates inclusive), between the hours of 08:00 and 18:00.

No person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed or wait on the sections of Affected Roads.

Roads affected - OAKFORD VILLAS, NORTH MOLTON (FROM OUTSIDE 46 TO OUTSIDE 54).

This temporary restriction is considered necessary to enable - POLE REPLACEMENT.

For additional information contact: CIRCET UK Telephone: 0800 085 9194 

North Devon Council is inviting residents to share their views as part of a public consultation on the renewal of its Dogs Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which is due for review in 2027.

Introduced in 2021 and last renewed in 2024, the PSPO is designed to tackle anti-social behaviour linked to dog fouling and dogs out of control, while ensuring public spaces remain accessible and enjoyable for responsible dog owners.

The eight-week consultation closes 30th September, giving residents the opportunity to help shape how dog control measures are managed across the district.

The existing order includes a range of requirements, including:

• making it an offence for owners not to pick up after their dog; requiring dogs out of control to be placed on a lead when requested by an authorised officer; and mandating that dogs are kept on a lead in cemeteries, churchyards and graveyards, ornamental or formal public gardens, council-owned car parks and allotments.
• It also stipulates that no person may walk more than six dogs at any one time, with a maximum of three off-lead or on extended leads (over 2 metres). Dogs are prohibited from formal sports pitches and enclosed children’s play areas.
• Between 1 May and 30 September dogs are not permitted on Croyde or Combe Martin beaches. Dogs must also be kept on a lead in specified areas of Croyde Dunes at certain times of year and must not be walked in breach of any clearly signposted temporary restrictions.

Take part in the consultation via the NorthDevon.gov.uk/...LetsTalk   

Cllr Rachel Beaman and the Parish Clerk Ian Fisher will be in the North Molton Community Shop from 9:30 to 11:30am on Wednesday 26th of August - come and meet us!  We're here to discuss village issues.

Similar events will be held roughly every other month, on different days of the week and at different times.

The current blue-tongue outbreak that is affecting sheep, goats, cattle and camelids (llamas, alpacas etc) in North Devon is likely to have severe practical and emotional effects on many in the farming and related industries, as well as people who have these animals as pets/small herds.

There is a lot of help out there, so PLEASE contact someone if you are struggling. Don't be embarassed or think your issue is not important enough - reach out, as help is available. Remember too that there is no impact on human health, and people cannot get blue-tongue.  Also, it is passed not from animal-to-animal contact but via midge bites.

For practical and emotional support:

Exmoor Hill Farming Network (EHFN) Office: 01643 841455 Katherine Williams: 07970 795808

Farming Community Network (FCN) Helpline: 03000 111999 

RABI 24hr Helpline: 0800 1884444

Your vet will be able to give practical advice on vaccinations, treatment etc.

There is also the Samaritans 24hr Helpline: 116 123

You can also call or email your Parish Clerk (Ian Fisher, 07784 177666 clerk@northmoltonparish.gov.uk) as he is engaging with the EHFN.

It is also important to keep checking up on friends and neighbours - just because someone is not talking about the issue, it doesn't mean that they may not appreciate some help. A cuppa and a chat could be just what they need to get a few things of their chest and feel better able to cope.

ROAD CLOSURE WARNING

In case you are unaware, South West Water have closed the road out of the square towards Heasley Mill this morning for emergency work repairing the drain yet again outside Top Cottage. They say it will be a 5 day closure. 

We have received no prior notice of this work.

Dr Jack Evans at the University of Exeter is launching a research project focused on the experiences of residents aged 60 and over living in rural Devon, particularly those navigating the challenges of living on a lower or fixed income. The goal of the project is to understand how older adults prepare for and cope with extreme heat (like heat waves). They will use this information to create plans for improving health and wellbeing and protecting against the heat during spells of extreme hot weather.  

If you would like to participate, and expression of interest form can be found here.

Message from North Devon District Council

We, the People and Place Team at North Devon and Torridge District Councils, are working together to prepare a new local plan for northern Devon. We have published a notice stating our intention to commence plan-making and a local plan timetable to set out the key milestones of this process. You can find both on our respective websites Local plan | North Devon Council and Planning Policy | Torridge District Council.

The new plan will guide future development in the area, including where new homes, jobs, services and infrastructure may be needed. It will affect everybody who lives, works and visits here.

We have opened a Scoping Consultation to ask our communities and other stakeholders what we should include in the plan, and how we can best involve people as we prepare it. 

[SCOPING CONSULTATION EVENT] 

The deadline to submit responses is: 17:00 on Tuesday 11 August 2026.

For more information, including our Scoping Consultation Document and details of other ways to submit comments, visit the portal using the above consultation event link.

This Scoping Consultation is the first of multiple consultations we will run throughout this project, and we would very much welcome your input throughout. Your responses will help us understand the issues that matter most and shape each stage of plan-making so that we prepare a plan which reflects the needs and aspirations of our communities.

If you have any questions about responding to the consultation, please contact us at either peopleandplace@northdevon.gov.uk or peopleandplace@torridge.gov.uk.

The yearly Audit Paperwork for North Molton Parish Council is now available under Parish Council, Legal Documents.

The public has the right to look at all of the paperwork associated with this audit (see attachement that details those rights).

The official period is 3rd June to 14th July 2026, but you can contact the Clerk at any time.

clerk@northmoltonparish.gov.uk

North Molton Parish Footpath Officer, Steph Harris, has created an excellent poster for the public rights of way in the Parish, and two circular walking routes.  All are attached here.

If you find a problem on a footpath, if it is in the Exmoor National Park, report it here.  Otherwise, report here. Please also drop the Clerk an email so that we can keep track of resolution of issues (clerk@northmoltonparish.gov.uk).

Please remember that you are responsible for your safety, control of dogs, appropriate behaviour around livestock, and using public and private land with care.  You can find the Countryside Code here.

Happy trails!

UPDATE 26th May 2026 - the footpath Limeslake to Holdridge Woods remains closed at the moment because of an unsafe bridge. This is not expected to be repaired until December 2026.

THE COUNTY OF DEVON (TEMPORARY RESTRICTION)

ROAD FROM HIGH BULLEN CROSS TO HOLYWELL CROSS, ROAD FROM HOLYWELL CROSS TO TWITCHEN BALL CORNER & ROAD FROM TWITCHEN BALL CORNER TO SANDYWAY CROSS., NORTH MOLTON & TWITCHEN) NOTICE 2026

TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC - DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL hereby give NOTICE that: From TUESDAY 2 JUNE 2026 for a maximum of 5 days.

No person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed on the sections of Affected Roads. Roads affected - ROAD FROM BRINSWORTHY CROSS TO HOLYWELL CROSS, ROAD FROM HOLYWELL CROSS TO TWITCHEN BALL CORNER & ROAD FROM TWITCHEN BALL CORNER TO SANDYWAY CROSS., NORTH MOLTON & TWITCHEN The alternative, signed, route for vehicles will be via - ROAD CLOSURE WITH DIVERSION, STARTS - TWICTHEN BALL CORNER - WHITE POST - RIDGEWAY CROSS - MOOR LANE - ROAD FROM LATCHGATE CROSS TO ABBOTS CROSS, ROAD FROM ABBOTS CROSS TO BOTTREAUX MILL CROSS, ROAD FROM BOTTREAUX MILL CROSS TO BOMMERTOWN CROSS - B3227 - A361 - NORTH MOLTON R/A - NORTH MOLTON - EAST STREET - BRINSWORTHY CROSS, DIVERSION ENDS & VICE VERSA.

This temporary restriction is considered necessary to enable - PATCHING WORKS.

For additional information contact: MILESTONE INFRASTRUCTURE Telephone: 020 3307 8051 

North Devon Council has launched a renewed crackdown on dog fouling as part of its Clear Messages initiative - a no-nonsense approach to addressing the environmental issues that matter most to residents.

Dog fouling continues to be one of the most frequently reported problems received by the council’s Environmental Health team. Beyond being unpleasant, dog mess poses health risks, particularly to children, impacts play areas and parks, damages community pride, and places repeated pressure on council officers.

While the vast majority of dog owners in North Devon act responsibly, those who fail to pick up after their pets face a £100 fixed penalty notice, rising to a potential £1,000 fine upon summary conviction.

Residents are encouraged to help by reporting incidents online (there is also a link on the main NM website page) and providing photographs, locations and other details such as descriptions or vehicle registrations where it is safe to do so. Evidence from the public is vital in helping officers identify repeat offenders and issue penalties.

The council is also asking residents to support the campaign by following and sharing messages from the council’s Facebook page, helping to spread awareness of responsible dog ownership. Residents should challenge inappropriate behaviour only if they feel safe to do so, with public safety always coming first.

Contact: Sophie Hughes

 sophie.hughes@northdevon.gov.uk

Exmoor local housing need questionnaire

The survey is a collaboration between Somerset and North Devon Councils, as local housing authorities, and Exmoor National Park Authority. Somerset Council will be analysing the responses and, later next year, they will prepare a summary report with information on housing need for each Exmoor parish.

A letter with information about an online housing need questionnaire, has been sent to households in Exmoor National Park and Brushford parish. The letter includes a link and QR code to the survey which is designed to be simple and easy to complete. The information provided through the survey will be dealt with in strict confidence. It will be vital to those considering housing need and provision and will help inform the future Exmoor Local Plan review. The survey is aimed at those who might be finding accommodation in the local area unaffordable, whose home no longer meets their needs, or who wish to own their own home through a self/custom build project.

The letter to Exmoor residents also asks that the survey be shared with people who have moved away and want to return, local workers who live away and travel into the National Park to work or who live on Exmoor with family or others because of the cost of local housing. Anybody wishing to set up their own home, e.g. young people approaching adulthood, is encouraged to complete their own survey separately.

Parish surveys have been the starting point for almost 120 homes with a local need occupancy tie, achieved in Exmoor’s communities through conversions and new build and as self-build.

Additionally, local libraries (Dulverton, Lynton, Porlock and South Molton) have access to a computer and will have paper copies for those who are unable to complete an online survey. If requested, we can provide paper copies to parish /town councils for their parishioners who cannot complete an online survey or visit a local library.

Devon County Council has produced a leaflet on recovery from a flooding incident, attached.

North Devon Council has issued a statement in relation to the clarification of its trade waste service decision:

There has been a lot of discussion about our Trade Waste and Recycling Service. We want to clearly set out the facts and explain how and why this decision was made. Following a detailed review, councillors took the decision to withdraw our trade waste service, including refuse and recycling collections, from 31 March 2026. This decision to stop this service was made after a thorough assessment and was considered by councillors at two separate committee meetings, where options were reviewed before a vote was taken.

The review was carried out because our trade waste and recycling service was costing more to run than it generated in income, and this position was expected to worsen. Trade waste collection is not a service that councils are legally required to provide. Any losses from operating it must be covered by local taxpayers. Councillors were advised that continuing to operate the service would require significant additional investment.

This included

• Replacing specialist collection vehicles at a cost of around £260,000, with new vehicles not available until 2027.
• Hiring vehicles in the meantime would at a cost of more than £100,000 per year.
• Recruiting additional staff.
• Increasing charges to businesses by around 25% to cover costs.
• Central Government requirement to collect food waste separately for trade customers. We have neither the capacity at our depot or the appropriate fleet vehicles to comply with this requirement.
• As a result of the above, many of our customers have a separate contractor for food waste and we are losing customers to these contractors for refuse and recycling.

Some businesses have asked why they pay business rates if we are no longer providing a trade waste service. We would like to clarify this. Business rates are not a payment for specific services.

• We collect business rates on behalf of central government. A significant proportion is passed to central government, with the remainder retained locally to help fund a wide range of statutory council services.
• This year, we estimate to collect £33million in business rates, of which £6million is retained for the North Devon Council budget to be used on statutory services such as refuse collection, street cleaning, housing and provision of temporary accommodation.
• Trade waste collections are a separate, non-statutory service that is paid for directly by businesses and is not funded through business rates.

Taking all of this into account, councillors took the difficult decision to stop all council-run trade waste services, including refuse and recycling collections, from 31 March 2026, in line with the requirement to give at least two months’ notice. We recognise that this decision affects local businesses and was not taken lightly. We are working to support affected customers through the transition. Officers have already spoken to several private waste companies operating locally, and these companies have confirmed they are able to take on new customers. Their details are being shared directly within the letters that have been sent to all existing customers.

Affected businesses have been contacted and this is being followed up with a letter, which should be received in the coming days, with further information and support to help them move to an alternative provider and ensure there is no break in service.

Contact Information

North Devon Council Communications Team communications@northdevon.gov.uk

North Molton Parish Council meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month (unless otherwise marked with *), starting at 7:30 pm. Members of the public are welcome.

Weds 14th January - The Victory Hall, North Molton

Weds 11th February - The Victory Hall, North Molton

Weds 11th March - The Victory Hall, North Molton

Weds 8th April - The Victory Hall, North Molton

Weds 6th May* - The Victory Hall, North Molton [Village Annual Meeting and Parish Council Annual Meeting]

Weds 20th May* - The Victory Hall, North Molton

Weds 10th June - The Victory Hall, North Molton

Weds 8th July - The Victory Hall, North Molton

Weds 12th August -  Heasley Mill Village Hall

Weds 9th September - The Victory Hall, North Molton

Weds 14th October - The Victory Hall, North Molton

Weds 11th November - Heasley Mill Village Hall

Weds 9th December - The Victory Hall, North Molton

For any queries, please contact Ian Fisher, Parish Clerk 07784 177666 clerk@northmoltonparish.gov.uk

Please be advised that the bridge across the river to the north of the Black Cock Inn, which lies in Molland Parish, is going to be closed from Tuesday 2nd December 2025 for major repairs.  The anticipated finish date is October 2026, but may be up to 18 months from the start of work. 

While not in North Molton Parish, some residents may use this route to the A361 and the east. Please see the attached Traffic Notice for further information and alternative routes.

The Parish Council has been approached by a number of parishioners in recent weeks expressing concern about the speed of traffic through the village and the inherent risk to members of the public that this creates. North Molton Parish Council needs to collect facts and figures to quantify how serious the problem might be within the village, and equally important, canvass the views of parishioners on whether the current 30mph legal limit is appropriate given the level of traffic the village experiences.

Community Speedwatch is a national initiative where proactive members of the local communities join, with the support and supervision of their local police, to record details of speeding vehicles using approved detection devices. North Molton Parish Council are looking for volunteers to give some of their time to form a local Community Speedwatch Group. Full training is given by the organisation and no prior experience is needed - just a willingness to help collect data that contributes to a better understanding of traffic safety in our local area.

Councillor Andy Radley is a acting as coordinator for the proposed group and will be happy to talk to anyone who would like to be involved in this fact-finding initiative. Indeed any views on traffic management within the village both for and against any restrictions on speed regulations are welcome.

Please contact the Parish Council via the Clerk (clerk@northmoltonparish.gov.uk or 07784 177666) to register your interest and agree to having your name, email and telephone number on a contact list.

Thanks in advance,

North Molton Parish Council

If you are involved in running a small to medium sized business, a charity, a public sector body or a local community group, and you are concerned about the security of your computers, your IT systems, your website or you just worry about your social media account, please be aware of the South West’s Cyber Resilience Centre. 

Home | Cyber Resilience Centre for the South West

The SW CRC is part of UK Policing’s TEAM CYBER UK and headed up by Steve Shepherd who was previously a Devon and Cornwall Police, Cyber Protect Officer. The SW CRC is a not-for-profit organisation, funded by the Home Office and regional policing. The SW CRC exists to help South-West based small to medium sized businesses, organisations, charities, voluntary groups, and public sector bodies, with their Cyber Security. Cyber Security can feel complicated, expensive, and unmanageable. It can be hard to know where to start, or how to improve resilience.  Professional Cyber Security support is often costly and for many, obtaining such assistance can be well beyond their financial means.  These regional CRC’s have been set up by Government to help those who find themselves in just that position. Much of what is on offer from the CRC is free.

Should you wish to sign up you can do so here - Join Us | Cyber Resilience Centre for the South West

Alternatively, you can contact Steve Shepherd direct at -  steve.shepherd@swcrc.police.uk

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.

Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) has announced the necessary closure of a popular Somerset footbridge for public safety and is working on a plan for a long-term replacement, and to reinstate public access on the permissive footpath that crosses Hinds Pitt Bridge near the Tarr Steps. 

Access and Recreation Manager for ENPA Dan Barnett said:

“Unfortunately, the bridge above Hinds Pitt Pool that forms part of the popular Tarr Steps circular walk has had to be closed due to structural failure and for public safety. The bridge has been there since the 1950’s and some key parts of the steel structure have deteriorated to a point where they are no longer safe (see photos below). We hope to replace the bridge and secure public access once again here for the future, but it will take some time to develop a plan in agreement with the relevant landowners and to raise the considerable funds required.

It is possible that we can do some temporary modifications to allow the bridge to reopen while we plan for its replacement, and we are looking into that urgently. In the meantime, the Tarr Steps site is otherwise open for everyone to enjoy, including short walks there and back on either side of the river and all the longer walks in the area are fully open too. The popular long distance footpath the Two Moors Way is still passable using an alternative route on the west bank of the river.”