Colyford is to get its own parish council to reflect its separate identity from Colyton. 

Colyford Parish Council will legally come into being on April 1 2023 and seven parish councillors will be elected in May. 

The move, which was agreed at the authority’s full council meeting on Wednesday, December 7, will also see the number of Colyton Parish Council members reduced from 13 to 11. 

The new council is being set up after the Colyford Village Residents’ Association asked East Devon District Council to carry out a community governance review, which is the process for creating, merging or abolishing parishes.

A petition signed by 249 people said: “The community of Colyford has thus clearly expressed their wish for a village council to be set up, and this should be given considerable weight. We have shown that Colyford has its own identity and sense of place, and that community cohesion will be enhanced by having its own village council. We have shown that a village council for Colyford will be effective and convenient, and will provide strong and accountable local government and community leadership. We therefore respectfully request that EDDC exercise their powers under the Act and undertake a Community Governance Review and recommend the formation of a village council for Colyford.” 

Two statutory consultations were held this year prior to the boundary being drawn up for the new parish council. 

Councillor Sarah Jackson, EDDC’s portfolio holder for democracy, transparency and communications, said: "It is evident from the recent consultation that the residents of Colyford feel a sense of identity separate from that of Colyton, and a clear desire to be self-governed via the formation of a new parish council, and so I am pleased to see this decision which enables the communities of both Colyford and Colyton to move forward with complete autonomy.  

"I sincerely hope that both parish councils will work collaboratively where the need arises in the best interests of all of their residents. 

 “I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the consultations and governance review. I look forward to seeing the new parish councillors elected in May.”