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.

The Town Hall in Fore Street houses the Council Offices which are on the ground floor and fully accessible.  A lift is available for anyone needing to use it to access the Council Chamber and meeting room on the first floor of the building.

Simmons Park Christmas Trail

From 2nd December there will be a trail around the Park. Test your Christmas knowledge and spot the Christmas baubles around the park with a Christmas themed book on. Trail sheets can be collected from the Book Swap, Town Hall or downloaded from the here.

Free Christmas Parking in Simmons Park

Parking in Simmons Park will be free Monday to Friday from 12noon, all day Saturdays and Bank Holidays from Monday 2nd December until 1st January 2025 (inclusive).

Notice of Co-Option for a Town Councillor 

Applications are now invited for Co-option to the Town Council for which a vacancy has arisen.  The vacancy will be filled by co-option at a meeting of Full Council at 7pm on Monday 16th December in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Fore Street, Okehampton.

Details can be downloaded or obtained from the Town Hall

• Notice of Co-option
• Application Form
• Co-Option Policy

Closing date for applications is 12noon Friday 6th December 2024.

Finance Officer

Okehampton Town Council are looking to recruit a Finance Officer, to start as soon as possible.

Hours – 22.5 p/week.  Monday to Wednesday 9am to 5pm (or as agreed by the Town Clerk but must include Mondays).  Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

Salary – NJC Pay scale:SCP9 £25,119, rising to SCP10 £25,545 following successful completion of the probationary period.  Figures are based on 37 hrs per week and will be paid pro-rata.  (Pay increase pending)

Pension – LGPS pension scheme

This is an office-based role in a busy environment.  You will need to have demonstrable financial management experience, including the processing of VAT returns, working knowledge of Rialtas Omega financial, or similar, software and the processing of salaries and pensions.

Ideally you will have knowledge of local council procedures and regulations, and you must be prepared to undertake training, including achievement of the Financial Introduction to Local Council Administration (FILCA) qualification.

Enhanced DBS checks will be undertaken in accordance with requirements for the running of Okehampton Youth Council.

Interviews are anticipated to be held on either 2^nd or 3^rd December.

For an informal chat about the post please contact Emma James, Town Clerk.

Closing date 5pm on 22^nd November 2022

Application Form  A word version of the application form can be provided on request.

Job Description

Person Specification

Town Guide

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

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. 

How do Councils work in West Devon

A larger copy of the leaflet can be found at West Devon Services

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.

Community Emergency Plan

Okehampton Town Council has developed an emergency plan which is designed to promote community resilience and provide advice to householders and organisations.  A copy of the plan can be downloaded here (pdf) or obtained from the office.

Town Council Meetings

Meetings of the Council or one of the Committees are normally held at 7pm on most Monday evenings in the Council Chamber which is located in the Town Hall.  Agendas for upcoming meetings can be found on the Agenda and Minutes page of the website.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the meetings.

Town Council Office Opening Hours

Monday - Thursday 9.30am - 4pm 

Town Clerk

Mrs Emma James
townclerk@okehampton.gov.uk