Torbay Council

Torbay Council: local government for Brixham, Paignton and Torquay

Torbay Council is the local authority that provides services to residents and visitors in Brixham, Paignton and Torquay, in the United Kingdom. Its headquarters are at Town Hall, Castle Circus, Torquay, TQ1 3DR, and the main switchboard is 01803 201201. The council maintains an institutional website at torbay.gov.uk through which procedures, enquiries and requests from its various departments are channelled.

Municipal services for residents and visitors

The service catalogue includes Council Tax administration, waste collection and recycling, benefits and social support, housing, registrars for births, deaths and marriages, parking, roads and travel, planning and building control, schools and learning, children and families, leisure, sports and community services, as well as dealing with noise, environmental and nuisance issues. It also covers business and licensing, adult social care, public health, emergencies and safety, and the Safer Torbay programme.

Building control and technical regulations

The Building Control service administers the functions that UK legislation assigns to the council, in particular the Building Act 1984 and other applicable building legislation. Its role is to professionally apply building regulations so that domestic and commercial works meet minimum standards of safety, health and efficiency. Among the works it supervises are new buildings, conversions, renovations and extensions.

The regulations cover aspects such as structural integrity, fire protection, accessibility, energy performance, acoustic insulation, protection against falls and electrical and gas safety. They also set standards for drains, ventilation, protection against water ingress and against contamination such as methane and radon. The service is organised into three areas: the building regulation function, other statutory functions such as dealing with dangerous structures and demolitions, and related work such as safety at sports grounds and events.

The service itself highlights its status as an independent and impartial local authority, its collaboration with planners, conservation officers, access officers, fire services and highways, and its not-for-profit status with competitive fees. Through the LABC organisation it works with manufacturers, trade associations, professional institutions and other recognised bodies, and offers free guidance, continuing training and direct advice to businesses and individuals.

Citizen services and contact channels

The council recommends directing each enquiry to the corresponding department to speed up the response. The general switchboard is 01803 201201, while Building Control can be reached on 01803 208095 and building.control@torbay.gov.uk. Benefits, Business Rates and Council Tax services share the number 01803 207201. Children's Services and the school transport team use 01803 208100, and Community Protection, Community Safety Partnership, Environmental Health, Food Safety, Housing Standards, Licensing and Empty Homes use 01803 208025. Other published contacts include 01803 208008 for elections, 01803 207661 for the elective home education team, 01803 207087 for governance support, 01803 292429 for the harbour authority and beaches, 01803 207740 for highways, 01803 208723 for housing, 01803 207346 for human resources and 01803 207106 for land charges. The number 0345 155 1076 and the email adoptsouthwest@devon.gov.uk correspond to the adoption service, and 01803 859678 with info@brixhamtowncouncil.gov.uk to Brixham Town Council. The postal address of the headquarters is Town Hall, Castle Circus, Torquay, TQ1 3DR.

News and current projects

The website publishes council press releases and news. Among the topics published are the decision to postpone the second phase of the gas pipe replacement works on Dartmouth Road, agreed with contractor Wales & West Utilities, and the Know Your Numbers campaign on blood pressure. The Travel Guardian app for safety in Torbay is also promoted, and businesses, residents, young people and visitors are invited to take part in the next phase of public consultation on the future of Brixham Central. Other information refers to the scrapping of overdue fines in Torbay's libraries from 1 October 2026, managed by Libraries Unlimited, and the opening of applications for the Baton of Hope Legacy fund, with grants of up to £1,000 for suicide prevention initiatives.

Location and contact

Torbay Council, Town Hall, Castle Circus, Torquay TQ1 3DR · Phone: 01803 201201