MINEHEAD’S green spaces will be managed more locally from April 1 as part of a new ‘devolution deal’ with the town council.

Somerset Council reached out to town and parish councils across the county after declaring a financial emergency in November 2023, asking them to take on the running of services to prevent damaging cuts in the face of a £100m budget gap.

Devolution deals have already been signed with numerous town and parish councils, with key services in Bridgwater, Wellington and Yeovil being brought under more local control – including the management of parks and other key green spaces in their respective towns.

Minehead Town Council is now following in their footsteps, agreeing a new deal with the unitary authority which will come into effect on April 1.

Under the devolution deal, the town council will become directly responsible for the following green spaces:

  • Blenheim Gardens (including Blenheim Café and the North Road car park)
  • Bratton Park
  • Cuckoo Meadow play area
  • Culvercliffe open space (including play area)
  • Ellicombe open space
  • The Esplanade open space (near Warren Road) (on a long-term lease)
  • Jubilee Gardens (including the café)
  • Parkhouse Road open space
  • Parks Walk
  • Seafront play area
  • Seaward Way open space
  • Sycamore Road play area
  • Trinity Way play area
  • Warren Road play area
  • Woodcombe Walk (including the former toilet block building)

Entrance to Culvercliffe Walk on the South West Coast Path in Minehead (Image: Google Maps)
Entrance to Culvercliffe Walk on the South West Coast Path in Minehead ( (Image: Google Maps))
The Alexandra Road car park in Minehead (Image: Google Maps)
The Alexandra Road car park in Minehead ( (Image: Google Maps))

In addition to owning and maintaining these spaces, the town council will also become responsible for the following services:

  • Alexandra Road car park
  • Bus shelters
  • Grass and verge cutting (including roadside cutting)
  • Minehead War Memorial on Martlett Road
  • Planters at Minehead Harbour and along the Parade
  • The Warren Road toilet block and kiosk

This devolution deal is expected to save Somerset Council up to £121,800 a year in maintenance costs.

Chris Hall, the council’s executive director for community, place and economy, said that the transfer of the Alexandra Road car park could aid Minehead’s effort to secure a new swimming pool.

Somerset West and Taunton Council set aside land on Seaward Way in January 2022 for a potential new pool, with a feasibility study being commissioned in late-2022 using £10,000 from the Hinkley Point C community mitigation fund.

Somerset Council stated in October 2023 confirmed that a pool in this location was “not being pursued” since the study did not conclude that it would definitely be able to pay for itself.

Mr Hall said in his written report: “Alexandra Road car park is of strategic interest to Minehead Town Council due to the location next to the new community centre, and the potential offered to grow facilities in the town, such as a swimming pool.

“The town council has been working with partners to explore options for building a new swimming pool in Minehead, and previously expressed an interest in Alexandra Road car park, as a feasibility study had identified the site as suitable.

“The study integrated the car park with the neighbouring community centre and football club on a day-to-day operational basis, but also as it allowed for the potential use of renewable energy to heat the pool and keep running costsdown.

“While Alexandra Road is an income generating car park for Somerset Council, the willingness to transfer to the town council is based on it being a piece of land that enables the town council to develop a community asset for the town.”