A NEW parish council centred on Barrow is set to be created after being given the green light by a meeting of the Westmorland and Furness shadow authority.

Councillors unanimously approved the necessary draft reorganisation order on Monday. 

The new council is to have 21 councillors spread across 11 wards.

Cllr Jonathan Brook, leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, said: "A parish council will give Barrow a strong voice in all of the future engagements."

Cllr Peter Thornton said: "Penrith has a town council, Kendal has a town council, and it's quite right that Barrow has a town council."

The new council is to have a budget of £287,700. This has been revised down from £387,700 as Westmorland and Furness Council has agreed to make a contribution of 'up to £100,000' to cover the costs of the initial election of parish councillors in May 2023. 

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The wards for the parish are to be the same as those that currently exist for the borough council: Walney North; Walney South; Barrow Island; Hindpool; Central; Ormsgill; Parkside; Risedale; Hawcoat; Newbarns; and Roosecote.

All of these wards will be represented by two councillors, except for Barrow Island, which will be represented by one.

Two periods of public consultation were held as part of a community governance review into whether or not a parish council should be created for Barrow.

A report from Cllr Virginia Taylor, portfolio holder for sustainable communities and localities on Westmorland and Furness Council, produced ahead of Monday's council meeting, said: "The review has concluded that a parish (town) council for Barrow will bring the benefit of creating a local, democratically elected voice for the town.

"It would be effective and efficient. 

"Barrow is a significant urban area in Westmorland and Furness with substantial employment, clear aspirations and potential for growth. A parish council would give a strong voice to the area.

"In addition to councillors on the unitary authority, residents can elect local councillors to address local issues."

The interim monitoring officer at Westmorland and Furness Council is now to take the steps necessary to finalise the draft reorganisation order and implement the decision to create a parish council for Barrow.