PLANS for the creation of a new town council for Barrow have taken another step forward.

The Westmorland and Furness shadow authority cabinet gave its support to proposals at a meeting on Friday. 

Draft recommendations for the council were put together by Barrow borough councillors and council officers following a period of public consultation held as part of the borough council's community governance review.

The review was launched to assess local government in the unparished area of the borough.

READ MORE: Have your say on potential new town council for Barrow

Cllr Virginia Taylor, Westmorland and Furness Council cabinet member for sustainable communities and localities, described town and parish councils as 'a force for good'.

"They celebrate local identity and are the closest tier of local government to the people we all serve," she said.

"Town and parish councils can take on a range of powers for their area so they can reflect what their community needs and wants."

A second period of public consultation is now under way and closes on August 26. 

Responses are to be considered by Barrow Borough Council's community governance review working group and reported to an extraordinary meeting of the borough council in September.

If the final recommendations are given the green light, they will be sent to a meeting of the Westmorland and Furness shadow authority for approval.

Subject to this approval, an order would be made bringing the town council into existence on April 1, 2023.

The draft recommendations suggest:

  • That the new parish would be named Barrow
  • That the council would be named 'Barrow Town Council' - although this would be decided by the new council itself
  • That the year of election would be 2023 and every four years thereafter
  • That the new parish would comprise the eleven existing borough council wards making up the unparished area of the borough: Walney North; Walney South; Barrow Island; Hindpool; Central; Ormsgill; Parkside; Risedale; Hawcoat; Newbarns; and Roosecote
  • That each of these wards would have two councillors, except for Barrow Island, which would have one

People can email cgr@barrowbc.gov.uk to comment on the recommendations or write to: Community Governance Review, Barrow Borough Council, Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, LA14 2LD