The role of the Forum is to:
- Act as a consultee body to both District Councils, to Devon County Council, to the Environment Agency, and to any other body requiring information about the Estuary,
- Comment upon plans, such as the Marine Bill, the Shoreline Management Plan, Environment Agency Plans, Oil Pollution Plans, County Council and District Council plans and strategies, Minerals and Waste Plans, Aggregate Extraction Plans, Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plans, etc.
- Comment upon planning applications and environmental statements with relevance to the Estuary
- Represent members' interests on bodies such as the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership, North Devon’s Biosphere Reserve Partnership, the Devon Maritime Forum, etc.
- Liaise closely with the Northern Devon Coast & Countryside Service and any Taw/Torridge Estuary, Officer (if appointed), and assist in the updating of the Taw/Torridge Estuary Management Plan,
- Reflect our members' concerns; bringing these concerns to the attention of the relevant bodies,
- Attempt to resolve conflicts between member organisations, and between outside agencies and our member organisations,
- Act as a lobby group, where necessary,
- Inform and educate our member organisations concerning Estuary matters and the rights of other Estuary users,
- Apply for grant assistance on behalf of member organisations, for work commissioned by the Forum.