A new parish council is set to be created for Barrow with elections due to take place in May.
The move has been recommended by Barrow Borough Council’s full council after a formal consultation process, which was launched earlier this year.
The consultation found the majority of people who responded were in favour of the creation of a parish council for the area.
Its creation is now subject to approval from the area’s shadow Westmorland and Furness Council, which will replace Barrow Borough Council, Cumbria County Council, South Lakeland District Council and Eden District Council from April 1.
Once formed, Barrow Parish Council will represent the 11 unparished wards of the borough: Walney North, Walney South, Barrow Island, Hindpool, Central, Ormsgill, Parkside, Risedale, Hawcoat, Newbarns and Roosecote.
Councillor Derek Brook, Barrow Borough Council’s lead member for community, said: “I am really pleased that Barrow’s full council has recommended a parish council is created for Barrow after considering the feedback provided through the consultation process.
“Parish and town councils can provide a local voice for communities and can undertake a range of roles and responsibilities for things that are important to residents.
“I think this is an exciting step for the area and will bring opportunities to the wards in question in the future.”
If approved, each of the wards that will make up the new parish council will have two parish councillors, with the exception of Barrow Island which will have one.
The ordinary year of election will be 2023 and then every four years after.
The approval for the proposal secured by Barrow Borough Council’s full council will now be sent to the shadow Westmorland and Furness Council. If the shadow authority also approves the proposal, a reorganisation order will be made – a legal document that will allow a parish council to be officially formed for Barrow.
