This is an update for you on the issue of Northam Town Council and its role in relation to Northam Burrows. Northam Burrows Charity has now been officially recognised by the Charity Commission.
Torridge District Council is the owner of Northam Burrows. Northam Town Council, as Corporate Trustee, is responsible for the regulation of the grazing rights. Prior to the District Council ownership, the Burrows was owned by Devon County Council.
The Corporate Trustee has appointed a management committee which reports back regularly to the Corporate Trustee. During the County Council’s ownership, the Town Council (Corporate Trustee) was awarded 1,500 season passes each year to allow permanent residents of the Ancient Manor of Northam to pass through the toll gate operated by the owner. This was in recompense for loss of grazing following the use of part of the land at the Skern as a landfill (tip) site and the roads.
The Corporate Trustee’s role includes being custodians of the grazing. Money raised from the sale of Manor Passes and grazing rights is used to maintain and improve the Burrows in respect of the Corporate Trustee’s responsibilities to the Burrows and graziers. Money not required for these purposes could be granted to good causes within the parish.
Northam Burrows Charity.