Current Issues
Following public consultation North Devon Council has decided to continue maintenance of the Barnstaple Quays This is excellent news!
Bideford Town Council is lobbying for the Port of Bideford to become a Trust Port. The majority of other ports large and small throughout the country already are. The Town Council is asking for your support. Documents about this are being circulated and the Forum supports this. Please consider this important change to the Port status and if so inclined to support make your views known to Bideford Town Council. More information is available on their website.
In order to assist planning future meetings, the Forum is always looking for suggestions for Speakers. If members have any suggestions for speakers and/or topics which may be of interest to us please let the Secretary know.
The Secretary to the Forum retired in January, 2026. This post is invaluable to the ongoing future of the Forum. The job description briefly is as follows:
- Inform Forum membership organisations of dates and venues of Forum meetings together with Agendas and Minutes,
- Correspond with membership organisations and maintain a spreadsheet of their contact details,
- Record minutes of Forum & P&CC meetings and circulate to members,
- Arrange meeting venues for Forum and P&CC meetings,
- Liaise with Chair on Agendas and other administration,
- Liaise with Forum Speakers and guests,
- Notify webmaster of minutes and new membership organisations.
Should you be interested in this job and wish to find out more please contact the Chairman by email at
The Forum currently has no permanent Secretary. Without an urgent replacement the whole future of the Forum is in jeopardy!
In due course it will be the case that the Chair and Vice-chair will be standing down. Ideas as to how a replacement procedure might operate will also be gratefully received.