ALL of the parish council elections that were scheduled for polling day on Thursday, May 2 in the Cumberland council area were decided uncontested due to a lack of candidates.

Elections for Brampton Parish Council, Carlatton Parish Council, Castle Carrock Parish Council, Cumrew Parish Council, Cumwhitton Parish Council, Hayton Parish Council and Wetheral Parish Council - plus a by-election for Silloth Town Council - were all uncontested, leading to some expressing concern about a lack of democratic engagement at a lower electoral level.

There was a total of 64 seats available across all these parish and town authorities, according to the Cumberland Council website, to which 40 people were 'elected'.

Cumbrian parish and town councils operate at a level below the unitary authority, Cumberland Council. Members of the local community are elected and can help on a number of local issues, like providing allotments, community centres, play areas and in some cases, cemeteries.

They also have the power to issue fixed penalty fines for litter, graffiti and dog offences.

Carlisle Liberal Democrat candidate and Cumberland Councillor for Stanwix, Brian Wernham said he was ‘concerned’ by the uncontested elections.

“I am concerned that residents are not getting the chance to select the best candidates for parish councils by an election process,” said Cllr Wernham.

“I am also concerned that each candidate's 'declaration of interests' of belonging to a political party is only required after the election and is not stated on each nomination form.

“The Cumberland Lib Dems interview candidates where they wish to be Lib Dem candidates for parish councils and we state their membership of our party on the nomination forms.

“A recent example is parish councillor Paul Nettleton who was elected to Burgh by Sands parish council as a Lib Dem candidate. 

“His clarity of stating his party membership has been well received by residents, and he is now the chair of Burgh by Sands parish council."

A spokesperson for Cumberland Council said: "We support a number of democratic initiatives including the Cumbria Youth Parliament.

“We encourage anyone who wishes to stand for election and work for their local community to do so.”

Voters across Cumbria went to the polls on Thursday to elect a new police, fire and crime commissioner.