Parishes are the smallest areas of civil administration in England. Eden District is divided into 71 Parishes. They administered by either parish councils or parish meetings.
Parish Councils
Parish Councils are required to hold at least four meetings each year which are open to the public, one of which must be an Annual Meeting of the full Council. Parish Councils have certain powers and responsibilities under statute including, for example, the maintenance of community buildings. They usually employ a Parish Clerk and/or other staff to carry out these duties. They also have power to raise money (a 'precept') through the local Council Tax and have a duty to provide accounts.
We arrange and run any elections (held every four years at the same time as District Council elections) and by-elections on behalf of Parish Councils.
Parish Meetings
Parish Meetings must assemble annually on some day between 1 March and 1 June and on one other occasion during the year. Their meetings are open to the public but only the registered electors for the Parish are permitted to speak and vote on any proposal. A Parish Meeting is not a corporate body and is therefore unable to own property or sue or be sued. Generally speaking it is not a local authority and its powers are not as wide as those of a Parish Council. 18 of the Parishes have Parish Meetings which consist of the local government electors for the Parish themselves.
Cumbria Association of Local Councils (CALC)
CALC is the association of Town and Parish Council and Parish Meetings in Cumbria. It is run by local councils for the benefit of local councils. It aims to assist councils in their day-to-day work and to represent their interests. Its website provides information for and about Parish Councils.
Parish Charter for Eden
The Parish Charter for Eden District is an agreement between Cumbria Council Council, Eden District Council and many of the District's parish councils. The Charter was signed on 12 March 2008 and sets out how the three levels of local government will work together in the future.
Read the Parish Charter for Eden District (PDF: 467Kb / 18 pages)
Register of Financial and Other Interests
All Councillors have to abide by a Code of Conduct which sets out which interests have to be declared. The Code of Conduct is made under the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007. In order to comply with the Parish Council's Code of Conduct, a Member MUST register his / her financial and other interests with Eden District Council's Monitoring Officer within 28 days of his / her election or co-option on the Register of Interest form(Word Document 116KB). Members must also declare any offers of gifts and hospitality and declare any changes within 28 days.
Read the Register of Financial and Other Interest - A Guide and Checklist for Parish Council Clerks (PDF: 602kb / 2 pages)
Parish Council Vacancies
Parish Councillors elections are run every four years when councillors are elected for a four year term of office. At some point during the term of office a vacancy will occur which will be advertised on the notice boards within the Parish. Any parishoner can request an election which must be received by Eden District Council and which MUST be signed by 10 people. If there is no request for an election then the Parish Council can co-opt to the vacancy at the next meeting of the Council. If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor you may wish to speak to the Clerk who will be able to give you more information.
Read Filling a Parish Council Vacancy - A Guide and Checklist for Parish Council Clerks (PDF: 51,522b / 2 pages)
Un-Parished Area
Penrith Town is an un-parished area and so is not served by either a Parish Council or a Parish Meeting.
Contacting clerks
View Clerks' contact details
