South Hams District Council


South Hams District Council is the council administering the non-metropolitan district of the South Hams in Devon, England. It was formed in 1974 and covers a population of around 85,000. The District Council is part of a three-tier government with Devon County Council above and town and parish councils below. It elects 31 councillors every four years and has historically been represented by the Conservative Party.

History

The council's administrative area was formed on 1 April 1974 from the merge of existing areas in Devon due to the Local Government Act 1972. This included the boroughs of Clifton Dartmouth Hardness and Totnes; the urban districts of Kingsbridge and Salcombe; and the rural districts of Kingsbridge, Plympton St. Mary and Totnes.

Politics

In South Hams, most councillors who are elected have been nominated by one of England's major political parties, although there have also been a small number of independents in previous elections. As of the 7 May 2015 election, the majority of councillors in the council are Conservatives. Up until 1983, the council was governed by independent councillors, before the Conservatives gained a majority in 1987; a position which has since been held.

Electoral Wards

The district of South Hams is divided into 20 wards, each returning between one and three councillors. Some wards are coterminous with civil parishes, though most consist of multiple parishes or parts of parishes. The following table lists the electoral wards of South Hams and the associated civil parishes.
WardCivil ParishesNo. of councillors
Allington & Strete
1
Bickleigh & Cornwood
  • Bickleigh
  • Cornwood
  • Harford
  • Shaugh Prior
    		• 1
    Blackawton & Stoke Fleming
  • Blackawton
  • Halwell and Moreleigh
  • Stoke Fleming
    		• 1
    Charterlands
  • Bigbury
  • Kingston
  • Modbury
  • Ringmore
    		• 1
    Dartington & Staverton
  • Dartington
  • Staverton
    		• 1
    Dartmouth & East Dart
  • Dartmouth
  • Kingswear
  • Stoke Gabriel
    		• 3
    Ermington & Ugborough
  • Ermington
  • Ugborough
    		• 1
    Ivybridge East
  • Ivybridge
  • Ugborough
    		• 2
    Ivybridge WestIvybridge 2
    KingsbridgeKingsbridge2
    Loddiswell & Aveton Gifford
  • Aveton Gifford
  • Churchstow
  • Loddiswell
  • Woodleigh
    		• 1
    Marldon & Littlehempston
  • Berry Pomeroy
  • Littlehempston
  • Marldon
    		• 1
    Newton & Yealmpton
  • Holbeton
  • Newton and Noss
  • Sparkwell
  • Yealmpton
    		• 2
    Salcombe & Thurlestone
  • Malborough
  • Salcombe
  • South Huish
  • South Milton
  • Thurlestone
  • West Alvington
    		• 2
    South Brent
  • Dean Prior
  • Diptford
  • Holne
  • North Huish
  • Rattery
  • South Brent
  • West Buckfastleigh
    		• 2
    Stokenham
  • Chivelstone
  • East Portlemouth
  • South Pool
  • Stokenham
    		• 1
    TotnesTotnes3
    Wembury & Brixton
  • Brixton
  • Wembury
    		• 2
    West Dart
  • Ashprington
  • Cornworthy
  • Dittisham
  • Harberton
    		• 1
    WoolwellBickleigh 1

    Responsibilities for services

    As of, South Hams District Council is responsible for a population of and covers an area of . South Hams along with Devon County Council and 61 town and parish councils operate a three-tier system of local government. Devon County Council is responsible for larger issues such as education, highways and social services. South Hams District Council and Devon CC are jointly responsible for community transport, economic development, emergency planning, environmental protection, museums and arts, recycling, street lighting and tourism. More minor responsibilities are held by just the district council and/or the town and parish councils. Some of these responsibilities include car parks, litter, public toilets and waste collection. In order to reduce waste and injuries to the public, the council offer seagull-proof sacks as form of waste management.