A local campaigner has begun calls for a series of parish councils to be set up across Carlisle when the new Cumberland Council comes into operation.

Carlisle City Council will cease to exist on April 1 as the new unitary authority takes over from the old two tier system.

Colin May, who is part of Putting Cumbria First, has proposed that individual areas of Carlisle, such as Denton Holme or Stanwix, should get their own parish councils with councillors elected from within in the local community and that these should form a ‘cluster council’ to protect the city status.

“We are proposing that a citywide cluster of parish councils is created in Carlisle to work collectively as a wide citywide cluster council” said Mr May.

“This will enable residents to have a say in the decisions that are affect their local area, including issues such as planning, community events, and local service.

“The creation of the Parish Councils will also help promote civic engagement, engagement, and community spirit.

“The cluster council would be significant step forward for Carlisle and a more cohesive approach to local governance.

“Firstly, it would provide a local voice for residents ensuring their reviews and concerns are held, and acted upon and secondly it would create a more joined up approach for local governance with cluster councils that can work collaboratively to address issues that affect the entire city.”

A consultation was held in Stanwix last year to ask whether residents would be in favour of a village council and more than 70 per cent of respondents voted yes.

Detractors of Parish Councils have question the need for an ‘extra layer of bureaucracy’ at a time when Cumbria is cutting down on elected chambers.

But Mr May insists that a series of Parish Councils in a cluster is the right way to improve community spirit and drive ‘pride’ into local areas.

“Instead of working from top to bottom, you're working from the bottom upwards (in Parish Councils), so you have a much more voice for the everyday person.

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“You're actually going to have people that live in the area making the difference in being involved in the community and that can only be a great thing for our communities.”