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
