Braunton Parish Council's next Full Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday 12 December 2023 at 7pm in the Council Chamber. 


Devon County Council’s Proposed On-Street Parking Scheme for Braunton

Background and timeline of events

Mid 2022 -

Discussions at Devon County Council (DCC) Scrutiny Liaison Group based on the Transport Plan 2011.

Sept 2022 -

DCC Scrutiny Committee meet and approved on-street parking management schemes for eight communities including Braunton.

Nov 2022 -

DCC Cabinet approved the Scrutiny Committee’s decision.

County members then had 5 days from the date of the Cabinet Meeting to object to the decision. No objections were received.

Dec 2022 -

The consultation advert for the schemes were due to go out but the formal advert was stalled as the County wanted to engage with the affected communities.

Further delays were due the North Devon Council elections as many of the County members were standing for election.

June 2023 -

The Braunton and Rural County Cllr brought the on-street parking proposal in Braunton to the Parish Council’s attention.

 

Aug 2023 -

The Clerk and Cllr Marguerite Shapland Chairman of Braunton Parish Council meet with Chris Rook Highways officer.

NOTES

The County did not provide the information requested. This was due to the reworking of officers at DCC which resulted in members and officers being very busy and ultimately led to a breakdown in communication.

Oct 2023 -

The affected communities wrote a joint letter to Devon County Council.

Nov 2023 -

Cllr Stuart Hughes Leader of Devon County Council responded to the community's joint letter.

Nov 2023 -

Meeting between clerks and Devon County officers facilitated by DALC.

Nov 2023 -

Devon County Council confirmed that they will go to public consultation prior to Christmas.


Hire Tariffs/Charges

Braunton Parish Hall Hire Charges

Braunton Work Hub Tariff 

Braunton Neighbourhood Plan Referendum Results 

On Thursday, 7 September 2023, seven years of dedicated hard work by volunteer members of the community were rewarded by a resounding vote 'YES' to the question.

"Do you want North Devon District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Braunton Parish to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?"

An overwhelming 90 per cent of voters said they would like the document to be used to help inform future decisions about development and planning applications in the area.

There were 1,042 votes ‘yes’, 114 votes ‘no’ and 0 rejected papers.

The electorate was 6,428 with 1,156 ballot papers issued.

The turnout was 17.9%.

Put simply, this means that residents agree that the policies about land use within the Plan, concerning housing and the need for more affordable homes, protection of green spaces and the natural environment, protection of buildings used as community assets and supporting our local economy will have full weight when planning applications or development proposals are considered by Planning Officers – planning power at the most local level, focusing on the things that are important to those who live and work in Braunton.

The neighbourhood plan, which has been seven years in the making, was created by a steering group made up of individual members of the public and parish councillor. Parish Councillors and Steering Group Members are entirely voluntary roles and are not paid.

The Chairman of Braunton Parish Council Councillor Marguerite Shapland says “The adoption of the Braunton Area Neighbourhood Plan is a very important step forward in ensuring that the views of our community are taken into account when decisions are taken on planning applications. The Plan will provide for developments to meet the needs of the community and provide vital protections to our environment and local businesses.”

The Neighbourhood Plan will be formally adopted by North Devon District Council at their meeting on the 4th October 2023.

https://www.brauntonparishneighbourhoodplan.org.uk/the-plan/referendum/



Declaration of Referendum Results 

Statement of General Information

Braunton Neighborhood Plan Information Statement

Braunton Parish Neighbourhood Area map

Neighbourhood Plan Proceeds to Referendum


 USEFUL FLOOD CONTACTS:

Useful Flood Contact Information with collage of images of water and rain

Sandbags

It is advisable to be prepared and not wait until flooding is forecast.  Sand is available from local builders' merchants.  Sandbags for filling are available from:

West Cross Garage on Chapel Street 24 Hrs 01271 812295. 

Parish Council Offices during opening hours (01271) 812131.
sandbag wall demonstration showing firefighter layering polythene sheeting with sandbags



Braunton Parish Council

 

Braunton is a large village in the South West of England situated 5 miles west of Barnstaple and 2 miles from the Braunton Burrows and Saunton Sands Beach. Braunton is in the centre of North Devon’s world class UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with the Burrows at its core. The Great Field on the edge of the village is one of the last remaining examples of medieval strip farming and is next to the reclaimed Braunton Marshes.

Braunton Parish Council is a small local council consisting of 13 elected councillors who are elected every four years to represent the parish. The council members operate on an entirely voluntary and non-party political basis. The Council elects a Chairman every year, who presides over the Council, which operates in accordance with the powers and duties afforded to local councils. Councillors are bound by legislation in this way they can act on behalf of the community and this is supported by various codes, regulations and standards. The Council employs a Parish Clerk, a Senior Council Officer, an Administrator, a Caretaker, a Maintenance Person and two Gardeners.

As a local council, Braunton Parish Council, operates at a level of council closest to the community, the other tiers of the council covering the area being North Devon Council and Devon County Council. Each tier of council has its own powers and responsibilities for the provision of services, the more strategic and wide ranging ones being at the higher and appropriate levels of council.

It is the Parish Council’s role to listen and understand the views of the local community, and councillors use their skills and local knowledge to assist and advise the higher tiers of authority on matters of local impact and importance. The Council sets an annual budget, funding for which is received largely through a demand on council tax payers in the Parish, known as the precept, which is collected on its behalf by the District Council.

 

Accessibility Statement