To provide additional communication and interaction with residents, this page contains the Parish Council notes from the parish clerk published in the “Eagle” village magazine each month. (The December issue also covers January of the following year.) This page will contain the latest notes together with those for the previous two issues of the “Eagle”.

JULY 2026

Hard to believe that the first half of 2026 is almost over. The same issues remain, unpredictable weather and an ever  increasing amount (or so it seems) of potholes.

 

At our last council meeting, one of our parishioners offered to take on the role of ROAD WARDEN. This is a voluntary role, working with the council and Devon County Council. A road warden can repair potholes, that do not meet DCC safety intervention levels, clear weeds, clean road signs, cut and manage verges, clean gully gratings and repair finger posts. Any volunteer will have to undergo training and all work needs to be pre-agreed with the local Neighbourhood Highway Officer.

We will need to ascertain more information from County Councillor Cottle-Hunkin and hope to provide a progress report next month.

 

The council has passed the internal audit for the last financial year, all documents available to the public will be published on the website in due course. Passing the audit means that the council fulfils all its legal obligations and manages its financial affairs in an orderly manner.

 

We may live in a digital age, but many people still value books and enjoy reading. THE BOOK BOX (the old Phone Box) provides a free facility for all parishioners to drop off books and swap them.  We are looking for a volunteer, who is able to and willing to ensure that books are stacked in a reasonable way and who could store an overflow of books at home, which should be no more than a card-box full. Please consider helping the community by keeping this amenity thriving.

 

Please contact the clerk (clerk@yarnscombe.org.uk) or any of the councillors.

 

Planning:  

1/0352/2026/FUL

Conversion of redundant rural building to 2no. dwellings and associated work (Self-build)

Agricultural Building At Grid Reference 255824 124492 Yarnscombe Devon

 

JUNE 2026

This month just a quick round-up of ongoing issues.

 

Youth Club

Quite a few young families have moved into the village in recent times and it would be nice to get the Youth Club up and running again. I was co-leader of the Youth Club a few years ago. Yes, at times it was a lot of responsibility, but overall it was a very positive experience and the children enjoyed it a lot. Also, it is a good way for children and parents to meet new people and make friends. Our County Councillor can help with grants to fund a group or specific activities. But we do need parent volunteers, the more the better, as responsibilities can then be shared. In the first instance,  make contact via the website or contact the clerk directly at clerk@yarnscombe.org.uk

 

PCSO

Ever since the retirement of PCSO Brown, there has been no contact or reports coming from the Police Community Support Officers for our area. Our District Councillor has been in contact with Police Commissioner Hernandez, in order to establish regular, up-to-date contact at parish council level. There are 4 weekly Teams meetings, but at present the clerk is unable to attend due to work commitments. The County Councillor recommended to get in touch with PCSO Cole. We will keep you updated.

 

New Councillors  

At present, we still have the full complement of councillors. Looking to the future, we will at some point need people to take up the role of councillor. If you are interested, just come to one of our meetings or contact one of our serving councillors. Training is available and apart from having to attend one meeting a month, you can invest as much or as little time to the role, as you are able to.

 

Planning:          

1/0289/2026/FUL | Demolition of an existing agricultural barn and erection of 1no. replacement dwelling together with associated works in lieu of Class Q (1/0984/2025/AGMB)(Self-build)

 

MAY 2026

The next big date in the annual calendar of parish council meetings is the Annual Parish meeting, followed by the Annual Parish Council meeting and Ordinary Council Meeting on 27th May 2026, 7.30pm, Village Hall.

 

The Annual Parish Meeting is your opportunity to bring up any issues that concern you and present them to the council. The council can only work effectively, if it is made aware of problems and concerns. Naturally, you are always welcome to attend any other council meetings and councillors and clerk can be contacted throughout the year. Details to be found in the “Eagle” and on the website www.yarnscombe.org.uk .

 

As mentioned in last month’s article, two new PCSO’s had been appointed for Torrington Rural.  In the past, PCSO Brown (now retired) used to occasionally attend meetings, but she always sent in a monthly crime report for our area. Cllr. Elliott (Torridge District Council/TDC) had contacted the new PCSO’s, but they replied that they were unable attend meetings in person, neither was there enough time to send out monthly crime reports. Cllr. Elliott found this unsatisfactory and promised to contact Alison Hernandez (Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner). In the meantime, the clerk had received an invitation for a Teams meeting regarding policing/crime matters.

 

The first meeting will take place on 23rd April and 4 weekly thereafter. I am unable to attend meetings myself, due to work commitments, but hopefully a councillor can attend the occasional meeting to keep us up-to-date. More information will follow next month.

 

Planning:

West Park Yarnscombe Barnstaple Devon EX31 3LZ , Ref. No: 1/0039/2026/FULM | Proposed change of use of land from a construction training centre to a show people's site consisting of 7 plots, a play area, maintenance and testing area for fairground equipment and overnight parking