Ilfracombe postings

The Ilfracombe Town Council has been busy over the past few months as it establishes more authority over some local conveniences. You can always keep up with decisions and outcomes by looking at the monthly minutes of both the monthly Council meetings, and key sub committees. See link: https://ilfracombetowncouncil.gov.uk/your-council/committee-agendas-minutes/

Here are a few examples of ITC efforts and outcomes.

Public Toilets

North Devon District Council is actively seeking to transfer responsibility for maintaining public toilets to local town authorities. Like some other town councils, Ilfracombe Town Council (ITC) is in the process of taking on these responsibilities, using the money from council taxes to maintain sanitary and useful public access to toilets. Currently the ITC has taken over management of the public toilets at the Brimlands Car Park, Hele Beach, and Wilder road, and is in negotiations to run the new Seafront Public Conveniences and Shelter, where construction by the North Devon District Council was just completed. If you have questions or feedback about this expanded role of the ITC, please email me at: neil.basil@ilfracombetowncouncil.gov.uk or my personal work address: neilbasilgrn@gmail.com

Hele Bay by Tony Atkin is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0

Parking

The process has been completed giving the ITC ownership of the High Street Car Park. Employing low interest loans for purchase, this acquisition is anticipated to be a source of income for the council in the future. Town control also ensures we can directly manage this essential support for local businesses. It will be your local town council that will now be making decisions about fees, advertising, maintenance etc., so if you have feedback about the management of this car park, please email me.

Devolution

I wrote about the significant impact of pending devolution decisions in my blog on May 17, 2025. If you want to keep up with discussions, findings and actions of the Council’s Devolution and Local Government Reorganization Sub-Committee, check out the committee’s website which links to committee agendas and minutes.  See link: https://ilfracombetowncouncil.gov.uk/your-council/committee-agendas-minutes/devolution-sub-committee/

If you want to know more about this group, here is a link to the committee’s terms of reference: https://ilfracombetowncouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Terms-of-Reference-Devolution-LGR-Sub-Committee-adopted-14-April-2025.pdf

Tyrrell Hospital Minor Injuries Unit Closure

The Council has expressed its opposition to the decision to close the Tyrrell Hospital Minor Injuries Unit, which ended its services on July 31. Patients with minor injuries are now being advised to either call 111 or contact the Combe Coastal Practice, though this site is not providing walk in care. A long term solution to the obvious need for local walk-in emergency care has not been determined, although the Tyrrell Hospital site refers to a ‘review’ underway. See link: https://www.royaldevon.nhs.uk/our-sites/ilfracombe-tyrrell-hospital/

Ilfracombe and District Tyrrell Hospital

The council is sending a formal letter of concern to the ICB about this elimination of vital services to the Ilfracombe community. This issue is also being taken up by Ilfracombe District Council Councillor Sarah Wilson. See minutes: https://ilfracombetowncouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Draft-Minutes-of-Full-Council-Meeting-14th-July-2025.pdf

Volunteering to contribute to Ilfracombe’s community

The ITC runs community service programs that could use your volunteer help. If you would like to become more involved in your community, gain new skills and experiences, and even build up your resume to show civic involvement, here are some options:

Community car service: Drivers are needed to transport residents to healthcare services and appointments to providers and sites across Devon.

I have been a volunteer driver as part of this effort for about a year now and thoroughly enjoy meeting the people I help. The council covers the cost for fuel and you get the chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those needing help to get to essential health services.

Town Hygiene Operatives: This group works to help maintain the appearance and cleanliness of town streets and green areas.

Gardening Angels: These volunteers help efforts to turn overgrown wild areas into gardens for community members. If you are interested in helping out as a volunteer, you can email for more information: Sarah.Maddocks@northdevon.gov.uk