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Welcome to the official website of Okehampton Town Council

Okehampton Town Council have a number of facilities and services which are provided for use by the general public, including the Charter Hall which can be rented for a wide variety of functions and events. The impressive Council Chamber is available for hire and may be used for civil ceremonies. The Committee Room is also available for hire for meetings. Wifi is available in all rooms.

The town of Okehampton is situated on the northern edge of Dartmoor in West Devon.  Okehampton is an ancient town and was initially settled in the Bronze Age.  It lies at the confluence of the East and West Okement Rivers from which is takes its name.  Okehampton has been described as the walking centre of Dartmoor.  It is also popular with cyclists and walkers taking the Granite Way, a beautiful trail from Okehampton to Lydford.

The town has many attractions including the spectacular ruins of Okehampton Castle which date back to Norman times and the beautiful expansive parkland at Simmons Park with leisurely river side walks, ornamental gardens and a Swiss style chalet, multi sports facilities and playing areas for all ages as well as the Parklands Leisure Centre.  The impressive tower of St James Chapel (15C) dominates the main street which in times gone by was the Old London Road lined with coaching inns which can still be seen today.  The Town Hall, a handsome building with granite facade built in 1685 adds a touch of elegance to the town centre which also boasts a number of vibrant shopping arcades as well as the acclaimed Museum of Dartmoor Life.


Notice of Vacancy

Following the resignation due to work commitments, there is a vacancy on the North Ward of Okehampton Town Council.  For further information please contact the Clerk on 01837 53179, townclerk@okehampton.gov.uk or download the document.


Devon County Council's On-Street Parking Charges Consultation 

DCC are proposing to introduce a payment system for on-street parking in areas of Okehampton town centre and have commenced a consultation, details of which will be available on their website.

A decision is due to be made at a meeting of DCC's Cabinet on 13th March. 


Community Governance Boundary Review

The review to amend the boundary between the Town and Hamlets Parish Council was undertaken following a petition instigated by the Town Council on behalf of its residents.  The aim was to change the boundary to incorporate the urban developments into the town, enabling those residents to feel included in the community many already believe they are part of.  This will bring a sense of community cohesion and identity and give them a democratic voice in the town.

Okehampton Town Council is conscious that the decision was not the outcome hoped for by Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council. We will be delighted to continue working with them in holding joint events and projects for the benefit of all residents, and working collaboratively towards a smooth boundary transition going forward.

The outcome of WDBC's decision is as follows:

  1. That the existing parish boundaries of the councils be amended in line with the petition submitted by the Town Council.
  2. That the Council strongly encourages the Town and Parish Council to work more closely together for the benefit of their local communities.

The review will be formally completed when WDBC publishes the Reorganisation of Community Governance Order and requests that the Boundary Commission approve any changes.

It is understood that administrative and financial processes will start to change from 1st April 2025 and in line with the next local council elections in 2027 the Town Council will increase in size from 14 Town Councillors to 15.

Full details of the process for the change have yet to be received and worked out, as as the transition process.

The link to the review can be found here.

A copy of a document being distributed from Okehampton Town Council setting out the details of its request for a change to the boundary can be found here and a copy of the original petition submitted to WDBC here.


Okehampton and Okehampton Hamlets Neighbourhood Plan - Regulation 17 Hearing

A public hearing relating to the Neighbourhood Plan under Regulation 17 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended) is due to take place at 10am on 11th April 2024 in the Town Hall, Fore Street, Okehampton.  Details can be found here.


Town Guide

An Okehampton Town Guide is available from the Town Hall or down loadable from here.


Allotments

Allotments in Okehampton are owned and managed by Okehampton United Charity and queries relating to them should be directed to the Charity who can be contacted by phone on 07715 621480 or email clerk@okehamptoncharities.org.uk. 


Public Space Protection Order for Dog Control - Simmons Park

In 2021 WDBC updated their Public Space Protection Order for Dog Control following a consultation period in 2020 when the Town Council requested the thoughts of residents.  Okehampton Town Council has reviewed the Order and the implications for the control of dogs within its outdoor spaces and from 1st April 2021 the following change will come into force and bring Simmons Park in line with the Order:

From 1st April 2022 dogs will be required to be on a lead in the formal garden area of Simmons Park.  This is the area on the Chalet/pond side of the river.  Full details can be downloaded, obtained from the office or by emailing townclerk@okehampton.gov.uk. 


CCTV

There are currently 9 closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras within the town and Simmons Park, with more to follow in phase 2 of the project.  The aim of these is to help tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, and to keep the public safe.

Images from the CCTV cameras are recorded 24 hours a day and footage from the system can be used as evidence.  Where an offence has been report in an area covered by the cameras, the Police may ask to view the any footage that might be helpful.

If you would like to apply for access to the CCTV footage please complete the application form which you will need to bring into the Council Office in the Town Hall along with the required forms of identification or send it direct to the monitoring hub in Torbay, the details of which are contained within the form.

Okehampton Town Council Facebook page

click here to take you to our Facebook page

Information about Okehampton

Visit Okehampton and Visit Dartmoor

For more information on Okehampton's shops and businesses visit https://www.visitokehampton.co.uk/

For more information on Dartmoor- what to do where to stay visit https://www.visitdartmoor.co.uk/


Okehampton Neighbourhood Plan

More information about the Neighbourhood Plan can be found at okehamptonneighbourhoodplan.com

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