Civil parishes in Cumbria
A civil parish in England is the lowest unit of local government. There are 284 civil parishes in the ceremonial county of Cumbria, with most of the county being parished. At the 2001 census, there were 359,692 people living in those 284 parishes, accounting for 73.8 per cent of the county's population.
The extent of modern civil parishes are largely geographically based on historic Church of England parish boundaries, which were ecclesiastical divisions that had acquired civil administration powers managed by the Vestry committee.[1]
History[edit]
The Highways Act 1555 made parishes responsible for the upkeep of roads. Every adult inhabitant of the parish was obliged to work four days a year on the roads, providing their own tools, carts and horses; the work was overseen by an unpaid local appointee, the Surveyor of Highways.[2]
The poor were looked after by the monasteries, until their dissolution. In 1572, magistrates were given power to 'survey the poor' and impose taxes for their relief. This system was made more formal by the Poor Law Act 1601, which made parishes responsible for administering the Poor Law; overseers were appointed to charge a rate to support the poor of the parish.[3] The 19th century saw an increase in the responsibility of parishes, although the Poor Law powers were transferred to Poor Law Unions.[4] The Public Health Act 1872 grouped parishes into Rural Sanitary Districts, based on the Poor Law Unions; these subsequently formed the basis for Rural Districts.[5]
Parishes were run by vestries, meeting annually to appoint officials, and were generally identical to ecclesiastical parishes,[6] although some townships in large parishes administered the Poor Law themselves; under the Divided Parishes and Poor Law Amendment Act 1882, all extra-parochial areas and townships that levied a separate rate became independent civil parishes.[7]
Civil parishes in their modern sense date from the Local Government Act 1894, which abolished vestries; established elected parish councils in all rural parishes with more than 300 electors; grouped rural parishes into Rural Districts; and aligned parish boundaries with county and borough boundaries.[7] Urban civil parishes continued to exist, and were generally coterminous with the Urban District, Municipal Borough or County Borough in which they were situated; many large towns contained a number of parishes, and these were usually merged into one. Parish councils were not formed in urban areas, and the only function of the parish was to elect guardians to Poor Law Unions; with the abolition of the Poor Law system in 1930 the parishes had only a nominal existence.[8]
The Local Government Act 1972 retained civil parishes in rural areas, and many former Urban Districts and Municipal Boroughs that were being abolished, were replaced by new successor parishes; urban areas that were considered too large to be single parishes became unparished areas.[9]
The current position[edit]
Recent governments have encouraged the formation of town and parish councils in unparished areas, and the Local Government and Rating Act 1997 gave local residents the right to demand the creation of a new civil parish.[10]
A parish council can become a town council unilaterally, simply by resolution;[9] and a civil parish can also gain city status, but only if that is granted by the Crown.[9] The chairman of a town or city council is called a mayor.[9] The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 introduced alternative names: a parish council can now choose to be called a community; village; or neighbourhood council.[11]
List of civil parishes and unparished areas[edit]
Former civil parishes[edit]
From the OS six-inch-to-the-mile maps produced 1888-1913.
- Bellbank (merged into Stapleton 1934)[65]
- Belle Vue (created 1894; split between Carlisle and Grinsdale [now Beaumont] 1912)
- Blencogo (merged into Bromfield 1866)
- Blennerhasset and Kirkland, and Torpenhow and Whitrigg (merged to form Blennerhasset and Torpenhow 1934)
- [Blindcrake, Isel and Redmain], Isel Old Park, and Sunderland (merged to form Blindcrake 1934)
- Bolton High and Bolton Low (merged 1887 to form Boltons)
- Botchergate, Caldewgate, Eaglesfield Abbey, Rickergate, St Cuthbert Within and St Mary Within (merged to form Carlisle 1904)
- Carlisle St Cuthbert and Carlisle St Mary (abolished 1866 when the six parishes listed directly above were formed)
- Cloffocks (merged into Workington 1934)
- Croglin (split between Ainstable and Cumrew 1934)
- Crosby-upon-Eden (split between Stanwix and Wetheral 1934)
- Dovenby and Tallentire (both merged into Bridekirk 1934)
- Eaglesfield (merged into Dean 1934)
- Edenhall (merged into Langwathby 1934)
- Ellenborough and Ewanrigg, and Netherhall (both merged into Maryport 1928)
- Flimby (merged into Maryport 1974)
- Gamblesby (merged into Glassonby 1934)
- Geltsdale (merged into Castle Carrock 2003)
- Great Broughton and Little Broughton (split into Broughton and Broughton Moor 1898)
- Grinsdale (merged into Beaumont 1934)
- High Ireby, Low Ireby and Uldale (merged to form Ireby and Uldale 1934)
- Hunsonby and Winskill, and Little Salkeld (merged to form Hunsonby 1934)
- Hutton-in-the-Forest, and Middlesceugh and Braithwaite (both merged into Skelton 1934)
- Hutton John and Hutton Soil (merged to form Hutton 1934)
- Hutton Roof, Mosedale, Bowscale, and Berrier and Murrah (all merged into Mungrisdale 1934)
- Kirkandrews Middle, Kirkandrews Moat and Kirkandrews Nether (merged to form Kirkandrews 1934)[66]
- Kirkandrews-upon-Eden (merged into Beaumont 1934)
- Kirkland and Blencarn, and Skirwith (both merged into Culgaith 1934)
- Langrigg and Mealrigg (split between Bromfield and Westnewton 1934)
- Mosser and Whinfell (both merged into Blindbothel 1934)
- Newton Reigny (merged into Catterlen 1934)
- Oulton (merged into Woodside 1934)
- Plumpton Wall (merged into Hesket 1934)
- Renwick and Staffield (both merged into Kirkoswald 1934)
- Ribton (merged into Camerton 1934)
- Skiddaw or Skiddaw Forest (merged into Underskiddaw 1934)
- Stainburn and Workington Rural (both abolished and split between Workington and Winscales 1934)
- Stanwix (parts transferred to Carlisle 1912, 1934 and 1951; remainder renamed Stanwix Rural 1966)
- Trough (merged into Solport 1934)[67]
- Warwick (merged into Wetheral 1935)
- Wigton cum Woodside (split into Wigton and Woodside 1894)
- Woodside Quarter (merged with Wigton to form Wigton cum Woodside 1887)
- Wreay (merged into St Cuthbert Without 1934)
Renamed civil parishes[edit]
- Alston Moor (named Alston with Garrigill until 1974)
- Aspatria (named Aspatria and Brayton until 1934)
- Barton and Pooley Bridge (named Barton until 2019)
- Hesket (formerly named Hesket-in-the-Forest)
- Milburn (formerly named Milburn and Milburn Grange)
- Sockbridge and Tirril (formerly named Sockbridge)
Ancient parishes[68][edit]
Cumberland[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Angus Winchester, 2000, Discovering Parish Boundaries. Shire Publications. Princes Risborough, 96 pages ISBN 978-0-7478-0470-3
- ^ RAC Foundation : What Went Wrong? British Highway Development Before Motorways[permanent dead link] Retrieved 22 August 2009
- ^ The Victorian Web : The Poor Law : Introduction Retrieved 22 August 2009
- ^ Staffordshire University : Poor Law Unions and Registration Districts Archived 2012-09-14 at archive.today Retrieved 22 August 2009
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Status Details for Rural Sanitary District Retrieved 22 August 2009
- ^ Robert Tittler, The Reformation and the Towns in England, 1998, Oxford University Press, 395 pages, ISBN 978-0-19-820718-4
- ^ a b Modern British Surnames : Selected Events in the History of Civil Registration and Boundary Changes 1801-1996 Archived August 1, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 22 August 2009
- ^ Alex MacMorran and T R Colquhoun Dill, The Local Government Act 1894 and the Subsequent Statutes Affecting Parish Councils, 1907, Butterworth and Co, London, 626 pages
- ^ a b c d Office of Public Sector Information : Local Government Act 1972 Archived 2012-12-05 at archive.today Retrieved 22 August 2009
- ^ Office of Public Sector Information : Local Government and Rating Act 1997 Archived 2012-08-05 at archive.today Retrieved 22 August 2009
- ^ Office of Public Sector Information : Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 Archived 2012-08-05 at archive.today Retrieved 22 August 2009
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af A Vision of Britain Through Time : Cockermouth Rural District Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Allerdale Archived 2011-06-13 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa A Vision of Britain Through Time : Wigton Rural District Archived 2007-10-01 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Cockermouth Urban District Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Keswick Urban District Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Maryport Urban District Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Lands common to Holme Abbey; Holme Low; and Holme St Cuthbert civil parishes Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Workington Municipal Borough Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Barrow in Furness County Borough Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Archived 2015-04-22 at the Wayback Machine Barrow Island; Central; Hawcoat; Hindpool; Newbarns; Parkside; Ormsgill; Risedale; Roosecote; Walney North; and Walney South wards. Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ Westmorland and Furness (Reorganisation of Community Governance) Order 2022 Retrieved 12 November 2023
- ^ a b c A Vision of Britain Through Time : Dalton in Furness Urban District Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ a b c Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Barrow in Furness Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj A Vision of Britain Through Time : Border Rural District Archived September 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Carlisle Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Carlisle County Borough Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Archived 2015-04-22 at the Wayback Machine Belah; Belle Vue; Botcherby; Castle; Currock; Denton Holme; Harraby; Morton; St Aidans; Stanwix Urban (part); Upperby; and Yewdale wards. Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ "Kirkandrews on Esk Parish Council". sites.google.com. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q A Vision of Britain Through Time : Ennerdale Rural District Archived 2007-03-11 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Copeland Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ Capper, Tim; Shaw, Stephanie. "Community Governance Review: Egremont, Beckermet, Haile, Lowside Quarter, Ponsonby" (PDF). Copeland Borough Council. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k A Vision of Britain Through Time : Millom Rural District Archived 2011-09-02 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Whitehaven Municipal Borough Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Archived 2015-04-22 at the Wayback Machine Bransty; Harbour; Hensingham; Hillcrest; Kells; Mirehouse; and Sandwith (part) wards. Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ "The Copeland Borough Council (Reorganisation of Community Governance) Order 2014" (PDF). Copeland Borough Council. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t A Vision of Britain Through Time : Penrith Rural District Archived 2011-06-28 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Eden Archived 2014-10-09 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Alston with Garrigill Rural District Archived 2011-06-28 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Appleby Municipal Borough Archived 2011-06-28 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay A Vision of Britain Through Time : North Westmorland Rural District Archived 2011-05-14 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "The Eden District Council (Reorganisation of Community Governance) (Barton) Order 2019" (PDF). Local Government Boundary Commission for England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- ^ including Thrimby which was a parishe until 2019
- ^ "The Eden District Council (Reorganisation of Community Governance) (Little Strickland and Thrimby) Order 2019" (PDF). Local Government Boundary Commission for England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- ^ "The Eden District Council (Reorganisation of Community Governance) (Ousby and Melmerby) Order 2019" (PDF). Local Government Boundary Commission for England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- ^ including Melmerby which became a separate parish in 2019
- ^ "The Eden District Council (Reorganisation of Community Governance) (Ousby and Melmerby) Order 2019" (PDF). Local Government Boundary Commission for England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- ^ a b A Vision of Britain Through Time : Lakes Urban District Archived 2007-10-01 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Penrith Urban District Archived 2011-06-28 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Archived 2015-04-22 at the Wayback Machine Penrith Carleton; Penrith East; Penrith North; Penrith Pategill; Penrith South; and Penrith West wards. Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A Vision of Britain Through Time : North Lonsdale Rural District Archived 2011-05-14 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx Office for National Statistics: Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : South Lakeland Archived 2014-12-05 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap A Vision of Britain Through Time : South Westmorland Rural District Archived 2007-10-01 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ a b c A Vision of Britain Through Time : Sedbergh Rural District Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Grange Urban District Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Kendal Municipal Borough Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ "Request by Allithwaite Upper Parish Council to change the parish name to Lindale and Newton in Cartmel Parish" (PDF). South Lakeland District Council. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- ^ "Lindale and Newton-in-Cartmel". Mapit my Society. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- ^ "The South Lakeland District Council (Reorganisation of Community Governance) Order 2020" (PDF). South Lakeland District Council. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
- ^ "Skelsmergh and Scalthwaiterigg". ONS. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Ulverston Urban District Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ "Notice of change of name of parish". South Lakeland District Council. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Windermere Urban District Retrieved 26 October 2010
- ^ "Witherslack, Meathop and Ulpha". ONS. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ "Bellbank CP/Tn through time | Census tables with data for the Parish-level Unit". visionofbritain.org.uk. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ "Kirkandrews CP through time | Census tables with data for the Parish-level Unit". visionofbritain.org.uk. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ "Solport CP/Tn through time | Census tables with data for the Parish-level Unit". visionofbritain.org.uk. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ "Cumberland AncC through time | Census tables with data for the Ancient County". www.visionofbritain.org.uk. Retrieved 9 June 2024.