Community Governance Review (CGR) 2018 to 2019
Last Updated: 3 April 2024
South Lakeland District Council carried out a Community Governance Review (CGR) from August 2018 to August 2019.
This was a legal process that allowed us to look at parish councils and matters such as their electoral arrangements and administrative boundaries. We asked local electors and other stakeholders (like parish councils and other interested groups) if they felt their communities are suitably represented.
The aim of the Review was to ensure that parishes in South Lakeland reflect community identity and interests, and are viable as economic units. We wished to ensure:
- that parish governance within the District remains robust, representative and able to meet any future challenges
- that governance at this level is clear and transparent
- that electors understand the electoral arrangements for their parish, and that the arrangements are appropriate and equitable
Stages of the review
Commencement
We published the terms of reference and notified stakeholders
Preliminary stage
Local briefings and meetings were held
Stage one
We invited submissions from stakeholders
Stage two
We prepared draft recommendations, which were then considered by full council at the full Council meeting on 18 December 2018
Stage three
We invited further submissions from stakeholders, based on our draft recommendations
Stage four
We prepared and published our final recommendations, which were then considered by full Council at the full Council meeting on 23 July 2019
The Council resolved that the following final recommendations be approved:
- a reduction in the number of councillors on Arnside Parish Council from eleven to eight
- abolishing the current wards of Dent and Cowgill and having Dent Parish Council as an un-warded parish
- the creation of a new Parish which amalgamates the parish of Fawcett Forest with the parish of Whitwell and Selside to create the Parish of Selside and Fawcett Forest
- a reduction in the number of councillors on Lower Allithwaite Parish Council from fifteen to eleven
- that Lower Allithwaite Parish Council consists of two wards, Allithwaite and Cartmel with Upper Holker comprising six and five parish councillors respectively
- that the parish elections for Lower Allithwaite Parish Council be rescheduled to coincide with the District Council elections, with the next Lower Allithwaite Parish Council elections to be held in 2022
- that the parish elections for Lower Holker Parish Council be rescheduled to coincide with the District Council elections, with the next Lower Holker Parish Council elections to be held in 2022
- altering the election cycle of Skelwith Parish Council to ensure that the elections are held on the same day as South Lakeland district elections for the ward of Ambleside and Grasmere, with the elections in 2020 to have a reduced term and the following elections to take place in 2023
- aligning the Kendal Parish Boundary with the development plan boundary at Rochester Gardens and Burton Road, Oxenholme. This will be referred to the Local Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) for their approval, as this final recommendation would cause a consequential alteration to the boundary of Kendal and Natland Parish. The LGBCE considered these boundaries in 2017 in the South Lakeland Further Electoral Review.
Council resolved to make Reorganisation of Community Governance Orders for any final recommendations approved.
Notice of Reorganisation Order (PDF 29KB / 2 pages)
Any final recommendations that were not approved will not come into effect.
Paper versions of the information about the review, our recommendations and the submissions we received are available for inspection at South Lakeland House, Kendal and Ulverston Town Hall during normal office hours. Electronic copies of all submissions and maps are available upon request.