The Parish Council

Parish Councils were formed in England in the Local Government Act of 1894 to take over local oversight of civic duties in rural towns and villages. Prior to this date, a variety of groups based around ecclesiastical parishes had responsibility for these matters in a system of local government that originated in the feudal system of the 8th century. The 1894 Act also helped to break the power of the Church of England over the lives on non-conformists, with the transfer of all non-ecclesiastical functions to elected parish councils.

The role of Parish Councils was not defined particularly well, so difficulties continued until the 1972 Local Government Act was passed. This, along with other legislation, forms the structure under which all Parish Councils operate today.

The term of office of a Parish Councillor is 4 years, and Councils are elected en bloc - the next election will take place in May 2027. There are 8 seats on Ideford Parish Council and the Chairman and Vice Chairman are elected each year at the meeting in May. Periodically there may be an option to join the Council as a co-opted Councillor if a seat becomes vacate between elections.

Ideford Parish Council raises money through the ‘precept’ which is collected from Ideford residents by Teignbridge District Council, along with the council tax. This is then paid to Ideford Parish Council in 2 equal instalments each year during April and September.

The Parish Council has power to provide various facilities, but apart from the salary for the clerk (who deals with all the admin and correspondence), over recent years, the precept has been spent on various items including the insurance for the Millennium Green, the grass cutting in central Ideford and money towards the production of the Parish Newsletter and towards the maintenance and enhancements of public rights of way.

The Parish Council also supports other organisations in the Parish, applying for funding to help them carry out capital purchase or refurbishment projects. Between 2014 and 2018 over £35000 was applied for and awarded in support of such projects.

Representatives from the local Police Team and our County and District Councillors liaise closely with the Parish Council to resolve any problems that arise or to give advice when needed.

The Parish Council has representatives on the Village Hall Management Committee, the Millennium Green Committee, the Parochial Church Council and on the Feoffees Charities Committee. They have a Councillor who represents Ideford with the Teignbridge Association of Local Councils and they also consider planning applications submitted to Teignbridge District Council, for any development in the Parish.

The Parish Council hold 10 meetings each year, which are held in the Village Hall on the second Thursday of each month (except January and August unless there is urgent business or planning to be discussed). Additional meetings may also be called to discuss Planning Applications if a decision is required outside the usual meeting timescale.

Ideford is in the Kingsteignton East Ward of Teignbridge District Council.