VOLUNTEERS WANTED

PARKHAM PARISH COUNCIL HAS ONE VACANCY FOR
THE POSITION OF COUNCILLOR

Do you have skills which could benefit your community?
Do you want to make a difference to all those around you?
Can you represent the views of local people?

Following the resignation of a Councillor, we are keen to co-opt a fellow member of the
community who is a team player, willing to contribute their own ideas whilst respecting those
of others and accepting majority decisions. We are particularly interested in those that have
construction project management, planning or fundraising knowledge.

What do Parish Councils do? The council works to make life enjoyable for the people of
Parkham. This has included arranging an annual New Year event; requesting the mobile post
office; supporting the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and King’s Coronation celebrations and
securing the redundant parish phone boxes to house life-saving defibrillators. The council is
also responsible for maintaining a range of facilities and green space in the parish to ensure
they remain safe, attractive and enjoyable for everyone.

What’s the role of a Councillor? There are ten Councillors supported by the Clerk. The council
usually meets on the 1st Monday evening of each month to consider local issues and make
decisions on behalf of the community. Every Councillor attends Full Council meetings and may
also serve on a Working Group such as Planning, Public Open Space, Finance or Website.
Whilst Parish Councillors are volunteers, they may claim expenses as necessary and training
is available. No previous experience is required—an interest in the community and a
willingness to get involved are what matter most.

Could you be a Councillor? Councillors need to be able to commit regular time to Parish
Council activities, including attending meetings and getting involved with projects around the
parish. Councillors tend to be parishioners who are active in the community, can identify local
issues, engage with residents and represent their views. Applicants must have access to their
own computer and smartphone and be competent and confident in using email, Microsoft
Office applications (particularly Word and Excel) and WhatsApp. These are the council's
primary methods of receiving information, accessing meeting papers, communicating with
fellow councillors and responding to important updates or requests for action. Councillors are
expected to access and respond to emails several times a week.

 

To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years of age and meet one of the following criteria:

 
• Be registered as a Local Government Elector for the area of Parkham Parish; or
• Have lived in the Parish or within 3 miles (4.8 kilometres) of it, for the whole of the last 12
months; or
• Have occupied as owner or tenant, land or premises in the Parish, for the whole of the
last 12 months; or
• Your main place of work has been within the Parish, for the whole of the last 12 months

 The deadline for submitting applications for this vacancy is 21st September 2026 and Council will consider all applications for this co-option at the meeting on 5th October 2026

For more information and to download an application form, please go to:
https://www.parkhamparish.org.uk/councillors2/category/40-councillors.html

NDDH birth services temporary changes

Temporary suspension of births at North Devon District Hospital from Tuesday 11 August

https://www.royaldevon.nhs.uk/maternity-and-obstetrics/nddh-birth-services-temporary-changes/

 

Despite extensive efforts to maintain services, births at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) have been temporarily suspended from Tuesday 11 August 2026. The difficult decision to suspend birthing services has been taken on safety grounds because there is insufficient consultant and registrar cover. We believe concentrating births in locations where safe medical cover can be guaranteed is the safest option for women, birthing people and their babies.

The temporary suspension affects birthing services, face to face triage and special care baby unit only. Other services including community midwifery, scans, birth planning, ultrasound clinics and antenatal outpatient clinics remain open for women and birthing people in Northern Devon.

In preparation for the suspension of birthing services, the Trust contacted over 300 women and birthing people who were 34 weeks pregnant or more, as well as those identified as vulnerable or clinically high risk, to discuss their individual circumstances, care plans and the travel and transport support available.

A dedicated helpline for pregnant women and birthing people is available – 01271 335773, (9am-5pm, Monday – Friday) and the maternity triage line is available 24/7 for those who require urgent medical advice – 01392 406616. In addition an information pack for women, birthing partners and families in Northern Devon has been produced alongside a set of frequently asked questions. Find out more.

Alongside managing the temporary suspension, the Trust has already established a dedicated reopening programme, focused on recruitment, workforce planning and service resilience to enable a safe return of births to North Devon. 

Below is a video which answers some of the most frequent questions we are being asked since the temporary suspension of birthing services was announced.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/1218345483?h=edbe68eb6e&app_id=122963

 

 

Role of the Parish Council

Parkham Parish Council, nestled in the heart of North Devon, serves as the crucial first tier of local government for our rural community. We are dedicated to representing the interests and concerns of Parkham residents, acting as a vital link between the community and larger authorities like Torridge District Council and Devon County Council. Our responsibilities encompass a wide range of activities, including maintaining the public Open Space (POS), commenting on planning applications to ensure they align with the Parish's character, and working to improve the quality of life for everyone in Parkham.

The Council is comprised of a dedicated team of local residents who volunteer their time and expertise to serve the Parish. Councillors are elected or co-opted, and the Council is led by a Chairperson, elected annually. We strive to preserve the unique rural charm of our Parish while proactively addressing the challenges and opportunities that come with living in a vibrant, evolving community.

The Parish Council is made up of ten councillors including a chair and a vice chair. Members serve for a period of four years and the present council was elected in May 2023. All councillors are residents of the parish. A clerk is appointed by the council and is paid for his or her services.The role of the clerk is to provide background information in an advisory role, to make sure that the council acts within the law, to maintain financial records, prepare agendas and take minutes. More details on the role of clerk can be found under 'Parish Clerk'