Civil parishes in Lancashire
A civil parish is a subnational entity, forming the lowest unit of local government in England. There are 219 civil parishes in the ceremonial county of Lancashire; Blackpool is completely unparished; Pendle and Ribble Valley are entirely parished. At the 2001 census, there were 587,074 people living in the 219 parishes, accounting for 41.5 per cent of the county's population.
History
Parishes arose from Church of England divisions, and were originally purely ecclesiastical divisions. Over time they acquired civil administration powers.[1]
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
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
See also
References
- ↑ 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 Retrieved 22 August 2009
- ↑ The Victorian Web : The Poor Law : Introduction Retrieved 22 August 2009
- ↑ Staffordshire University : Poor Law Unions and Registration Districts 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
- 1 2 Modern British Surnames : Selected Events in the History of Civil Registration and Boundary Changes 1801-1996 Archived 1 August 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
- 1 2 3 4 Office of Public Sector Information : Local Government Act 1972 Retrieved 22 August 2009
- ↑ Office of Public Sector Information : Local Government and Rating Act 1997 Retrieved 22 August 2009
- ↑ Office of Public Sector Information : Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 Retrieved 22 August 2009
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Blackburn County Borough Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Audley; Bastwell; Beardwood with Lammack; Corporation Park; Ewood; Fernhurst; Higher Croft; Little Harwood; Meadowhead; Mill Hill; Queen's Park; Roe Lee; Shadsworth and Whitebirk; Shear Brow; and Wensley Fold wards. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- 1 2 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Darwen Municipal Borough Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Earcroft; Marsh House; Sudell; Sunnyhurst; and Whitehall wards. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ Darwen Town Council : First Meeting of Darwen Town Council : 17 June 2009 : Appendix 1 : A Copy of the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (Reorganisation of Community Governance) Order 2009 Retrieved 3 February 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Blackburn Rural District Retrieved 4 February 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Blackburn with Darwen Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population East Rural (part) ward. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Turton Urban District Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Blackpool County Borough Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Anchorsholme; Bispham; Bloomfield; Brunswick; Claremont; Clifton; Greenlands; Hawes Side; Highfield; Ingthorpe; Layton; Marton; Norbreck; Park; Squires Gate; Stanley; Talbot; Tyldesley; Victoria; Warbreck; and Waterloo wards. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Burnley Rural District Retrieved 4 February 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Burnley Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Burnley County Borough Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Bank Hall; Briercliffe (part); Brunshaw; Coal Clough with Deerplay (part); Daneshouse with Stoneyholme; Gannow; Lanehead; Queensgate; Rosegrove with Lowerhouse (part); Rosehill with Burnley Wood; Trinity; and Whittlefield with Ightenhill (part) wards. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Padiham Urban District Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Adlington Urban District Retrieved 5 February 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Chorley Retrieved 5 February 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Chorley Rural District Retrieved 5 February 2010
- 1 2 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Chorley Municipal Borough Retrieved 5 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Chorley East; Chorley North East; Chorley North West; Chorley South East; and Chorley South West wards. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Withnell Urban District Retrieved 7 February 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Fylde Rural District Retrieved 8 February 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Fylde Retrieved 8 February 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Kirkham Urban District Retrieved 8 February 2010
- 1 2 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Lytham St Annes Municipal Borough Retrieved 8 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Ansdell; Clifton; Fairhaven (part); Park (part); and St John's wards. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Ashton; Central; Fairhaven (part); Heyhouses; Kilnhouse; Park (part) and St Leonards wards. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Accrington Municipal Borough Retrieved 9 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Barnfield; Baxenden; Central; Church (part); Huncoat; Immanuel (part); Milnshaw; Peel; and Spring Hill wards. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Hyndburn Retrieved 9 February 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Church Urban District Retrieved 9 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Altham (part); and Church (part) wards. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Clayton le Moors Urban District Retrieved 9 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Altham (part); and Clayton le Moors wards. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Great Harwood Urban District Retrieved 9 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Netherton; and Overton wards. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Oswaldtwistle Urban District Retrieved 9 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Immanuel (part); St Andrew's; and St Oswald's wards. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Rishton Urban District Retrieved 9 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Rishton ward. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Lunesdale Rural District Retrieved 11 February 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Lancaster Retrieved 11 February 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Lancaster Rural District Retrieved 11 February 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Carnforth Urban District Retrieved 11 February 2010
- 1 2 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Morecambe and Heysham Municipal Borough Retrieved 10 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Heysham Central; Heysham South; and Overton (part) wards. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Lancaster Municipal Borough Retrieved 10 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Bulk; Castle; Duke's; John O'Gaunt; Scotforth East; Scotforth West; Skerton East; Skerton West (part); and University (part) wards. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Bare; Harbour; Heysham North; Poulton; Torrisholme (part); and Westgate (part) wards. Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ Lancaster City Council : Find Out More About Morecambe Parish Council Retrieved 27 October 2009
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Pendle Retrieved 23 May 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Barnoldswick Urban District Retrieved 23 May 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Barrowford Urban District Retrieved 23 May 2010
- 1 2 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Skipton Rural District Retrieved 23 May 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Brierfield Urban District Retrieved 23 May 2010
- 1 2 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Colne Municipal Borough Retrieved 23 May 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Boulsworth (part);; Foulridge (part); Horsfield; Vivary Bridge; and Waterside wards. Retrieved 23 May 2010
- 1 2 The Pendle (Parishes) Order 2008 Retrieved 23 May 2010
- 1 2 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Earby Urban District Retrieved 23 May 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Nelson Municipal Borough Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Bradley; Brierfield (part); Clover Hill; Marsden; Southfield; Walverden and Whitefield wards. Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Trawden Urban District Retrieved 25 May 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Preston Rural District Retrieved 24 May 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Preston Retrieved 26 July 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Fulwood Urban District Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Brookfield (part); Cadley, College, Garrison; Greyfriars; and Sharoe Green wards. Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Preston County Borough Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Ashton; Brookfield (part); Deepdale; Fishwick; Ingol; Larches; Moor Park; Ribbleton; Riversway; St George's; St Matthew's; Town Centre; Tulketh; and University wards. Retrieved 24 May 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Clitheroe Rural District Retrieved 31 July 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Ribble Valley Retrieved 31 July 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Bowland Rural District Retrieved 12 October 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Clitheroe Municipal Borough Retrieved 12 October 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Longridge Urban District Retrieved 13 October 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Bacup Municipal Borough Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Greensclough; Irwell; and Stacksteads wards. Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Ramsbottom Urban District Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Eden ward. Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Haslingden Municipal Borough Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Greenfield; Helmshore; and Worsley wards. Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Rawtenstall Municipal Borough Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Cribden; Goodshaw; Hareholme; Longholme; and Whitewell wards. Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Whitworth Urban District Retrieved 14 October 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Rossendale Retrieved 4 February 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : South Ribble Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Leyland Urban District Retrieved 4 February 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Earnshaw Bridge; Farington East (part); Golden Hill; Leyland Central; Leyland St Ambrose; Leyland St Mary's; Lowerhouse; Moss Side; and Seven Stars wards. Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Walton le Dale Urban District Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Bamber Bridge East; Bamber Bridge North; Bamber Bridge West; Coupe Green and Gregson Lane; Lostock Hall; Samlesbury and Walton (part); Tardy Gate; and Walton le Dale wards. Retrieved 24 May 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 A Vision of Britain Through Time : West Lancashire Rural District Retrieved 24 May 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : West Lancashire Retrieved 24 May 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Ormskirk Urban District Retrieved 24 May 2010
- 1 2 3 4 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Wigan Rural District Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Bickerstaffe (part); and Newburgh (part) wards. Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ The West Lancashire (Parish Electoral Arrangements and Electoral Changes) Order 2007 Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Derby; Knowsley; and Scott wards. Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ The Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside (County and Metropolitan Borough Boundaries) Order 1993 Retrieved 18 October 2010
- 1 2 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Skelmersdale and Holland Urban District Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Ashurst; Birch Green; Digmoor; Moorside; Skelmersdale North; Skelmersdale South; and Tanhouse wards. Retrieved 24 May 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Garstang Rural District Retrieved 24 May 2010
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Wyre Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Fleetwood Municipal Borough Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Mount; Park; Pharos; Rossall; and Warren wards. Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ The Wyre Borough Council (Reorganisation of Community Governance) Order 2009 Retrieved 19 May 2010
- ↑ The Wyre (Parishes) Order 2003 Retrieved 22 October 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Poulton-le-Fylde Urban District Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Breck; Carleton; Hardhorn; High Cross; and Tithebarn wards. Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Preesall Urban District Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Thornton–Cleveleys Urban District Retrieved 24 May 2010
- ↑ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Table KS01 : Usual Resident Population Bourne; Cleveleys Park; Jubilee; Norcross; Staina; and Victoria wards. Retrieved 24 May 2010
External links
- Office for National Statistics : Geographical Area Listings
- Lancashire County Council : Parish Contact Details
- Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council : Town and Parish Councils
- Burnley Borough Council : Parish and Town Councils
- Chorley Council : Parish Council Contact Details
- Fylde Borough Council : Parish Councils
- Hyndburn Borough Council : Parish and Town Councils
- Lancaster City Council : Parish Councils
- Borough of Pendle : Parish Councils
- Preston City Council : Parish Council Contact Details
- Ribble Valley Borough Council : Parish Councils
- Rossendale Borough Council : Parish and Town Councils and Councillors
- South Ribble Borough Council : Parish and Town Councils
- West Lancashire Borough Council : Parish Councils
- Wyre Borough Council : Town and Parish Councillors by Council