Who Does What? – Your Guide to Council Responsibilities

Here’s a quick breakdown of the duties of North Devon District Council, Devon County Council and Town/Parish Councils.

North Devon Council Responsibilities

Devon County Council Responsibilities

The County Council has responsibilities for the wider infrastructure and services across Devon, including:

  • Education: Schools, admissions, school transport, and special educational needs
  • Highways and Transport: Roads maintenance, potholes, street lighting (in some areas), footpaths, and public transport services
  • Libraries and Archives
  • Public Health: Health improvement programmes and health protection
  • Social Care: Support for children and adults, including elderly care, fostering and adoption
  • Strategic Planning: Overseeing transport and infrastructure planning for the county
  • Trading Standards: Consumer protection and business advice
  • Waste Disposal: Managing recycling centres and waste disposal (but not collection)

For more information, visit Devon County Council’s website.

Town/Parish Council Responsibilities 

  • Allotments
  • Bus shelters
  • Community centres and village halls
  • Footpaths and bridleways
  • Local events and festivals
  • Maintenance of some open spaces
  • Street lighting (in some areas)
  • War memorials

For more information about your specific Town or Parish Council, please visit their website. To find out your local council, please use our mapping tool.