Council Services - Minehead Town Council

Amenity Areas

Minehead Town Council is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing our town's open spaces and public facilities, contributing to the beauty and well-being of our community. Our responsibilities include:
Open Spaces: We manage several large areas including Marsh Common and the adjacent Rose Gardens, Cross Farm Park, King George Playing Field, Irnham Recreation Ground, and Periton Playing Field. Our work extends to roadside grass verges, roadside weed control, roundabout grounds maintenance, and the town's floral displays.
Allotments and Cemeteries: The Town Council oversees all allotments within Minehead, the town cemetery, and St. Michael's Churchyard. We also maintain the war memorials in Minehead and Alcombe.
Public Facilities: We manage and maintain the Community Centre and public conveniences throughout the town. Recently, we've taken on the responsibility of evening locking at Blenheim Gardens.
Our in-house team works diligently to maintain these spaces and their amenities, including play equipment, benches, bins, trees, hedges, and fencing. Their efforts go beyond routine maintenance to ensure these areas are safe, attractive, and enjoyable for all.
It's important to note that some areas, such as Blenheim Gardens, Parks Walk, and Jubilee Gardens/Esplanade shrub beds, remain under the maintenance responsibility of Somerset Council.
Minehead Town Council strives to provide pleasant environments for recreation, relaxation, and connection with nature. If you have any concerns about our managed sites, please contact our offices at 01643 707213 or email ku.oc.licnuocnwotdaehenim%40ofni

Alcombe Common

Wootton Ridge, near Minehead and within the Exmoor National Park, is a diverse landscape encompassing Wootton Common, Hopcott Common, Alcombe Common, and parts of Grabbist Hill and the Giant's Chair. This unique area features hilltops covered in heathland, scrub, and bracken, with lower slopes adorned by coniferous woodland.
A significant portion of Wootton Ridge, approximately one-third, is Alcombe Common, owned by Minehead Town Council. This area holds particular ecological importance as one of the few places in the UK where the rare heath fritillary butterfly can be observed.
Recognising the area's significance, the Butterfly Conservation Society initiated a collaborative effort in 2023. They brought together all landowners to develop a comprehensive management plan for the entire ridge, aiming to enhance habitat quality through cohesive maintenance across various land parcels. After a thorough consultation period with both landowners, site users and members of the public, a management plan was produced in early 2024.
Much of the common falls within the Dunster Park and Heathlands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), necessitating Natural England's approval for any maintenance work. To support these conservation efforts, a Higher Tier Stewardship agreement with The Rural Payments Agency provides funding of up to £11,000 annually for Minehead Town Council to conduct maintenance in line with the newly created management plan.
This coordinated effort promotes the conservation and improvement of this critical ecosystem, striking a balance between protecting rare species such as the heath fritillary butterfly, implementing sustainable land management practices, and accommodating the needs of various user groups who enjoy the area.
To learn more about the specific strategies and goals for Wootton Ridge, you can view the full management plan below.
Wootton ridge Management Plan

Grants

Minehead Town Council offers grant funding to support local initiatives that benefit our community. Our grant programme operates under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, which allows us to provide financial support to a variety of organisations and activities.
We welcome applications from community organisations, schools, local groups, sports clubs, cultural events (such as music festivals), and other initiatives that benefit Minehead residents or the area. Applications are initially reviewed by staff for suitability against the criteria. Those meeting the requirements are then presented to the Finance and General Purposes Committee, which has the authority to award grants up to £500.
To apply for a grant, you can download our grant application pack or contact our office for more information. We're committed to supporting projects that enhance the quality of life in Minehead. If you have an initiative that could benefit from our support, we encourage you to apply.
For further details or assistance with your application, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our office on 01643 707213 or by emailing ku.oc.licnuocnwotdaehenim%40ofni.

Noticeboards

We offer several locations to display information about community-focused events, meetings, and announcements. Our main notice boards are located at Blenheim Road (outside the top entrance of Blenheim Gardens), North Road (outside the bottom entrance of Blenheim Gardens), and Alcombe (outside the Village Hall).
In addition to these main boards, we have smaller notice boards throughout town, space in our office windows, and a display area by the toilet block in Summerland Road Car Park. We also maintain a virtual notice board on our website.
To submit your event or announcement, email posters to ku.oc.licnuocnwotdaehenim%40ofni or drop them off at our office. Notice boards are updated weekly, typically on Mondays. We prioritise local community events and do not display political material or private enterprise advertisements.
Please note that space is limited, and the duration of display may vary. We reserve the right to determine what content we display based on available of space and/or community relevance.

Public Conveniences

The Public Conveniences are at (1) Quay West (car park), past the Ship Aground pub on the left (2) Summerland (car park next to the Co-op shop), (3) Irnham Road Recreation Ground, near the Bowling Club (Please note: These are currently open for events only), (4) Warren Road by the roundabout, (5) Blenheim Gardens Unisex and Disabled at the South end accessed off The Avenue or Blenheim Road
Opening Hours:April to Sept 9 AM to 7 PMOct to March 9 AM to 4 pm
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL USERS:
All our accessible toilets require a RADAR, also known as an NKS key in order to gain access. For more information on RADAR Keys and how they can be obtained please Click Here
These facilities are maintained by Minehead Town Council.For cleaning and repair issues please email ku.oc.licnuocnwotdaehenim%40ofni or call the office on 01643 707213. For any out of hours or weekend emergencies ring 07443 359212

Allotments

The Town Council has six sites – Marshfield Road and Harepark Terrace in Alcombe and at Poundfield Road, Periton Way, Periton Lane and Orchard Road.
View/Download Rules & GuidelinesView/Download LocationsClick here to see our main Allotments page

Cemetery & Memorial

Minehead Cemetery is located on Porlock Road at Woodcombe. We are responsible for maintaining the grounds of both the cemetery and the closed churchyard at St Michael's Church on North Hill, as well as the War Memorials in Minehead and Alcombe.
The main gates of Minehead Cemetery are open from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Outside these hours, please use the side pedestrian entrance, which is accessible 24 hours a day. Wheelchair access is available via the lychgate. For a complete set of Cemetery Regulations or to view fees and charges, please refer to the information provided below.
We strive to maintain these sites to the highest standards, with a considered and respectful approach befitting their solemn nature. Recognising these sites as havens for biodiversity and a rich variety of wildflower species, we have adopted a thoughtful approach to the older sections of the cemetery and St. Michael's churchyard. During the growing season, we allow these areas to flourish naturally, implementing a rewilding strategy while maintaining carefully cut pathways for access. This also allows us to focus efforts on providing a higher standard of care and attention to the newer grave sections and our war memorials, while honouring the memory of those interred and the reverence these grounds deserve.
While cemetery staff are not permanently stationed on-site, they are often present and can address requests directly. For any questions or concerns, you may also contact Minehead Town Council by visiting the Council Offices at 3 Summerland Road, Minehead, TA24 5BP, calling 01643 707213 or emailing ku.oc.licnuocnwotdaehenim%40ofni.
View/Download Cemetery Regulations & ScaleView/Download Cemetery MTC Notice of IntermentView/Download Cemetery MTC Memorial Application FormView/Download Cemetery Scale of fees

Christmas Lights

Minehead Town Council takes pride in bringing festive cheer to our town each year. We provide the town's Christmas lights, including the beautifully lit tree in Wellington Square, creating a festive atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.
In 2022, we collaborated with Minehead BID to enhance the festive experience by extending the Christmas lights to the lighting stanchions throughout The Avenue. This addition created a magical display that encompassed the entire town centre, spreading joy and light during some of the darkest months of the year.
Building on this festive spirit, 2023 marked a special milestone for Minehead. The Town Council collaborated with local businesses to introduce our first-ever Victorian Christmas event. This unique celebration combined the traditional Christmas light switch-on and late-night shopping with an authentic Victorian ambiance.
The highlight of the event was the presence of Queen Victoria herself, who had the honour of illuminating the town's Christmas lights! This blend of historical charm and modern festivity created a memorable experience for our community.

Flower Displays and Community Awards

Minehead Town Council plays a vital role in maintaining and enhancing the town's natural beauty. Our responsibilities include managing hanging baskets, cake stands, and tubs throughout the town. Since 2017, we've also overseen the large beds and planters in The Parade and the flower bed in Wellington Square, previously managed by the District Council.
In 2024, we expanded our commitment by financing all annual floral displays in Blenheim Gardens and along The Harbour and Quayside, in response to Somerset Council's decision to discontinue annual bedding.
As a responsible Town Council, we are actively transitioning to more sustainable and environmentally friendly bedding schemes. Our goal is to maintain the beauty and charm of our floral displays while reducing their environmental impact.
Beyond local displays, we proudly finance Minehead's entry into the Southwest in Bloom competition. This prestigious award celebrates our floral displays, community initiatives, and working partnerships. Additionally, the Town Council has ensured Blenheim Gardens continues to compete for the Keep Britain Tidy's Green Flag Award, recognising well-managed parks and green spaces.
We are committed to maintaining Minehead's beauty while promoting environmental responsibility and community engagement. We strive to create a town that is not only visually stunning but also a model of ecological awareness.
We're always looking for community support to help keep Minehead blooming. If you're interested in sponsoring our floral displays or supporting these initiatives, please contact Minehead Town Council at 01643 707213 or email ku.oc.licnuocnwotdaehenim%40ofni for more information.

Somerset Council

Since the district and county council merged, Somerset Council are responsible for collecting Council Tax and providing services such as car parks, environmental health, green waste collection, housing, licensing, planning and refuse collections. They are also responsible for the major community services such as education, social services and highways.
For more information on Somerset Council - telephone:General Enquiries: 0300 123 2224
Email: ku.vog.tesremos%40seiriuqnelareneg www.somerset.gov.uk
The Nearest Local Office is at: West Somerset House, Killick Way, Williton, TA4 4QA
For enquiries about recycling sites, contact: Somerset Waste Partnership Tel: 0300 3048000Email: ku.vog.tesremos%40tceridtesremos www.somersetwaste.gov.uk

Member of Parliament

You can also contact your local Member of Parliament, Rachel Gilmour, who is available to meet any constituent who needs their help or advice.
If you wish to contact her,please write to:Rachel Gilmour, MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AAoremail: ku.tnemailrap%40PM.ruomliG.lehcaR