A CELEBRITY of Local Government is set to highlight opportunities linked to the possible creation of a town council for the unparished area of Barrow at a special online event next week.
Jackie Weaver, chief officer of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils, became a household name last year when her attempt to control a disorderly online meeting of Handforth Parish council in Cheshire went viral.
Now, she is due to speak at the online launch event of Barrow's Community Governance Review on Tuesday, March 1.
Barrow Borough Council launched a public consultation earlier this week to encourage residents to find out more about the role of town councils through a series of events held both online and in person.
They will then be invited to answer the question; ‘Are you in favour of a town council for Barrow?’ via a short survey.
The process is happening as plans are being put in place to create a new unitary authority called Westmorland and Furness Council, which will replace Barrow Borough Council, South Lakeland District Council and Eden District Council, on April 1, 2023.
Councillor Derek Brook, Barrow Borough Council’s lead member for communities, said: “These events are being held to encourage residents to find out more about town councils and the role they can play in our communities.
“We are absolutely delighted and very grateful to Jackie Weaver for agreeing to attend the online launch event.
“She will speak about the opportunities and positives of having a local voice for your area. I’m sure the event will be a great success and I urge people who want to find out more about the governance review to sign up and attend.”
The events being held next week include the online launch event which starts on Tuesday at 6pm via Zoom.
An in person launch event will take place on Wednesday, March 2, at 6pm in The Studio at The Forum, in Duke Street. There will be another face-to-face event on Tuesday, March 22, at 6.15pm at St Mary’s Centre, Church Lane, Walney.
There will also be a series of drop in events. These are:
Date
Time
Location
Friday March 4
12pm -3pm
Barrow Market, Duke Street, Barrow
Monday March 7
9am - 11am
Ormsgill Community Centre, Millstone Avenue, Barrow
Tuesday March 8
10am – 11.30am
Rampside Village Hall, Rampside, Barrow
Wednesday March 9
9am – 11am
Hawcoat Community Centre, Skelwith Drive, Barrow
Friday March 11
12pm -3pm
The Round House, Biggar Bank Road, Walney
Monday March 14
1pm - 4pm
Bram Longstaffe, Farm Street, Barrow
Wednesday March 16
10.30am- 12.30pm
Barrow Park Leisure Centre, Greengate Street, Barrow
Friday March 18
10am - 1pm
Barrow Library, Ramsden Square, Barrow
Thursday March 24
10am - 12pm
Roose Library, Roose Road, Barrow
Monday March 28
1pm-3pm
Greengate Children’s Centre, Greengate Street, Barrow
Thursday March 31
10-11.15am
Beacon Hill Methodist Church, Holyoake Avenue, Barrow
Friday April 1
10am-1pm
The Forum, Duke Street, Barrow
Monday April 4
2pm-4pm
North Scale Community Centre, North Scale, Walney
Monday April 11
10.30am -12.30pm
Barrow Park Leisure Centre, Greengate Street, Barrow
These events will help gain essential feedback on whether a town council should be created for Barrow, which in turn will be voted on by members of the Shadow Westmorland and Furness Council later this year.
Parish and town councils are the first tier of local government and Barrow borough already has two parish councils and a town council. These will not be affected by the review, for which Barrow Borough Council has 12 months to complete.
To attend the CGR Online Launch on Tuesday March 1, at 6pm visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82171071287?pwd=TlRROUgvcVZKWms0TWpiMlAyMEFMdz09
You will need the following details to join:
Meeting ID: 821 7107 1287
Passcode: 742190
For more information, please visit: Barrow BC - Community Governance Review
Please click on the link below to complete the Barrow Borough Council survey ‘A Town Council for Barrow?’ https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Y22MLGG