Proposed change to North Molton Parish Council
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.