Instow Community to Take Over Toilets

The car park and public toilets at Marine Parade in Instow near Bideford are to

be handed over to the parish council so they can be managed at a more

local level.

 

North Devon Council’s Executive has made the decision as part of a

drive to give local communities more control over the facilities on

their patch. The parish council will be able to use the income to

invest in the local area.

 

NDC will also give Instow Parish Council a grant of £72,000 to go towards repairs and refurbishment of the toilets and car park.

 

As well as giving the local community control over the facilities,

the handover will also lead to £12,000 a year in savings for North

Devon Council.

 

The parish council already managed the car park during the summer

months, using the income to provide local services. Now they will have

all-year round management of both the car park and the toilets, making

sure they are put to the best community use.

 

North Devon Council Asset Manager Peter Woodley says: “The

government is keen to see more power put into the hands of local

people. To help play our part, we are looking at the local facilities

we provide and deciding whether they would be better managed at a more

grass roots level. We’re delighted to be able to put this approach into

action by handing over these important facilities to the people of

Instow.”

 

Work is now underway on the transfer, subject to final agreement

with Instow Parish Council. It’s hoped the handover can be completed

early in the new financial year.