Barrow Borough Council
Barrow Borough Council was a UK local government authority serving the Borough of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, delivering statutory services including council housing, council tax, planning, environmental health, waste management, and leisure to residents and local businesses. Dissolved in April 2023, its functions transferred to the new Westmorland and Furness Council unitary authority.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersBarrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Barrow Borough Council does
Barrow Borough Council was a local government authority serving the Borough of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, England, providing statutory public services to borough residents, council housing tenants, local businesses, and private landlords. Core functional areas included council tax administration, council housing management and allocation (via the cross-county Cumbria Choice scheme), homelessness prevention, planning and building control, environmental health and public protection, waste collection and recycling, licensing and permits, leisure services through the Barrow Forward brand (Park Leisure Centre, Dalton Leisure Centre, The Forum, Art Gene Gallery), port health services for the Port of Barrow, and parking and street services. The council funded operations through council tax, business rates, council housing rents (48 weekly instalments with water rates included since April 2013), service and licence fees, and targeted grant funding such as the 2012 Clusters of Empty Homes Fund (£3.4 million allocation).
The council's technology footprint was a conventional public-sector web estate: the barrowbc.gov.uk website running on Microsoft ASP.NET, with Siteimprove and Google Universal Analytics for usage analytics, Browsealoud for accessibility, and standard CSRF and session cookies. Service delivery combined physical channels (Town Hall on Duke Street, Park Leisure Centre, North Scale stray dog kennels) with a 24-hour self-serve portal at my.barrowbc.gov.uk covering council tax, rent, planning searches, and bin collections, supported by multiple dedicated phone lines for repairs, rent, lettings, housing benefit, and noise nuisance. Marketing and resident engagement spanned the council website, GovDelivery email newsletters, Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and resident forums (Street Voices, Tenants' Forum, Leaseholders' Forum).
As a not-for-profit statutory authority, Barrow Borough Council operated a non-commercial model with no disclosed revenue, no parent company, no external shareholders, and no venture funding. In April 2023, as part of a nationwide English local government reorganization, Barrow Borough Council was dissolved and merged into the newly created Westmorland and Furness Council unitary authority, which now delivers the former council's services across a wider Cumbria geography. The barrowbc.gov.uk domain was migrated to serve as part of the successor council's web presence.
Barrow Borough Council firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Barrow Borough Council
- Legal name
- Westmorland and Furness Council
- Website
- https://barrowbc.gov.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Barrow Borough Council was a UK local government authority serving the Borough of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, delivering statutory services including council housing, council tax, planning, environmental health, waste management, and leisure to residents and local businesses. Dissolved in April 2023, its functions transferred to the new Westmorland and Furness Council unitary authority.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Barrow Borough Council industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Local Government Services
- NAICS
- Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Administration of Housing Programs (925110), Temporary Shelters (624221)
- SIC
- Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mayor/City Manager & General Administration (BPAIACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Public Housing & Social Housing Development/Modernization Programs (FSALAKAH), Street & Public Space Litter Collection (Municipal Cleaning) (BPALAAAE)
Keywords
Where Barrow Borough Council is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Barrow-in-Furness
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Barrow Borough Council business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Council Tax: Annual council tax charged to all residential properties in the borough based on valuation bands.
- Council Housing Rent: Weekly rent charged to council tenants, payable in 48 weekly instalments. Water rates included in rent charge since April 2013.
- Business Rates: Business rates collected from commercial properties in the borough.
- Service Fees and Licenses: Various fees including port health charges, environmental permits, licensing fees for premises, taxis, and other regulated activities.
- Garage Rental: Weekly garage rental at £12.58 or £9.14 per week for council tenants, with VAT additional for non-tenants.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Weekly | Council tenant garage rental - higher tier |
| Subscription | Weekly | Council tenant garage rental - lower tier |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Barrow Borough Council product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Barrow Borough Council delivered statutory local government services to residents, council tenants, and businesses of Barrow-in-Furness. Core offerings included council housing management, council tax administration, planning and building control, waste collection and recycling, environmental health and public protection, licensing, homelessness prevention, housing benefits, leisure facilities (Barrow Forward), and parking services. Since April 2023, these services have been delivered through the successor Westmorland and Furness Council.
Product overview
Barrow Borough Council (now operating as part of Westmorland and Furness Council) provides a comprehensive suite of local government public services including council housing, benefits and financial assistance, waste management and recycling, planning and building control, environmental health, and leisure facilities. The council operates through multiple service delivery channels including online portals (my.barrowbc.gov.uk), the Cumbria Choice choice-based lettings scheme for housing, Barrow Forward for leisure services, and physical facilities such as Park Leisure Centre, Dalton Leisure Centre, The Forum arts centre, and Art Gene Gallery. Key digital services include online payments, planning application search, and bin collection scheduling. The council also provides statutory services including food safety inspections, noise nuisance investigation, homelessness prevention, disabled facilities grants, and port health services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Barrow Forward: Leisure, health and wellbeing services delivered by the council for families and individuals, offering gym, swim, fitness classes, group exercise, spinning, sport hall activities, soft play and wellbeing activities.
- Park Leisure Centre
- Cumbria Choice
Products and services
- Barrow Forward Delivers leisure, health and wellbeing services to families and individuals of all ages, offering gym, swim, fitness classes, group exercise, spinning, sport hall activities, soft play and wellbeing activities for the Barrow community.
- Cumbria Choice Choice-based lettings scheme - a partnership of social housing providers across Cumbria. Allows residents to register and apply for council housing and housing association properties.
- Online Payments Service 24-hour secure online payment service for council tax, rent, and other fees using credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard).
- Planning Application Search Online tool for searching and viewing planning applications within the borough.
- Bin Collection Dates Online service for checking bin collection schedules by address.
- Housing Benefit Financial assistance for housing costs for eligible residents.
- Council Tax Local taxation service including payment processing, discounts, exemptions and reductions.
- Homelessness Service Assessment, prevention and relief of homelessness including temporary accommodation, personal housing plans, and referrals to support services.
- Disabled Facilities Grants Grants available for adaptations to help disabled people remain in their homes, including stairlifts, level access showers, and wheelchair modifications.
- Food Safety Inspections Regular hygiene inspections of food premises to ensure public protection and maintain high standards.
- Noise Nuisance Service Investigation and enforcement of statutory nuisance complaints under Environmental Protection Act 1990, including noise, smoke, and other emissions.
- Building Control Processing and approving plans under Building Regulations, site visits, dangerous structures, demolitions, street naming and numbering, and safety at sports grounds.
- my.barrowbc.gov.uk Online citizen portal for accessing various council services including waste accumulation reporting, seagull nuisance reporting, and noise complaints.
- Car Parking Services Management of council-owned pay and display car parks including tariffs and permit parking.
- Port of Barrow Services Port health services including vessel inspection, infectious disease control, rodent control, and deratization exemption certificates.
- Garage Rental Weekly garage rental at £12.58 or £9.14 per week for council tenants, with VAT additional for non-tenants.
- Licences, Permits and Registrations Licensing fees for premises, taxis, and other regulated activities; environmental permits issued by Commercial Services.
- Park Leisure Centre Leisure facility at Greengate Street, Barrow-in-Furness offering swimming and various leisure activities under the Barrow Forward brand.
- Dalton Leisure Centre Leisure activities including swimming available at Dalton Leisure Centre.
- The Forum Award-winning multi-purpose Arts Centre offering theatre, variety, concerts, dancing, with cafe, licensed restaurant and booking office.
Companies that use Barrow Borough Council
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Barrow Borough Council technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Barrow Borough Council partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Cumbria ChoicecoreCumbria Choice is a choice-based lettings scheme partnership of social housing providers across Cumbria. Landlords in the scheme advertise available properties and manage applications for social housing including council housing and housing association properties across the county.
- Westmorland and Furness CouncilcoreBarrow Borough Council has merged into Westmorland and Furness Council as part of local government reorganization in 2023. The new council now serves the Westmorland and Furness area.
- Cumbria Housing GroupcorePartnership of councils in Cumbria and the principal operating in Cumbria, producing the county-wide Cumbria Housing Strategy with three key themes: Housing Growth and Affordability, Vulnerable People, and Housing Market Renewal.
- Procure Plus HoldingsminorPartner organization delivering upgrades to council properties (kitchens, bathrooms, etc.). Profits from the organization are recycled back into the areas where they work, with funds committed to assist people back into work in Barrow.
- InspiraminorLocal organization commissioned by Procure Plus Holdings to deliver employment support opportunities to the Barrow community as part of the property upgrade partnership.
- Citizens AdviceminorCitizens Advice provides independent housing advice to residents. Located at Ramsden Hall, Abbey Road, Barrow, LA14 5QW with telephone 0808 2787 817.
- Associated British Ports (ABP)minorABP operates the Port of Barrow, which offers the only deep water port between The Mersey and The Clyde.
- Cumbria County Council, ACTion with Communities in Cumbria, Churches Together in Cumbria, Cumbria Community Foundation, Cumbria CVScoreJoint project called Warm Spots led by Cumbria County Council encouraging and supporting local organizations to open their doors to people in need of warmth and help during the cost-of-living crisis.
- Rand AssociatesminorIndependent building surveyors appointed by the council to carry out detailed surveys of all council housing stock every five years to help plan and prioritize future maintenance and improvement works.
- HSBCminorHSBC is working with the council to offer bank account opening services to council tenants who have struggled to open accounts, with officers guiding tenants through the process.
- Furness Homeless Support GroupminorPartner agency providing interview facilities and support for rough sleepers and homeless individuals at 25 Bath Street.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Barrow Borough Council competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Citizens Advice: National independent advice network partner providing housing advice to Barrow Borough Council residents. Not a direct competitor but a key delivery partner for housing and welfare advisory services.
- Cumbria County Council: Former county-level authority in Cumbria that was itself reorganized in 2023 alongside the district councils. Provided partnership services including the Warm Spots initiative and is a key strategic partner for housing strategy across Cumbria.
Direct peers
- Copeland Borough Council: Former Cumbria borough council that was reorganized into the new Cumberland Council in 2023 alongside Allerdale and Carlisle. Directly comparable in council housing management, coastal exposure, and reorganization context.
- Allerdale Borough Council: Former Cumbria borough council merged into Cumberland Council in 2023. Comparable scale, statutory service mix, and dissolution trajectory similar to Barrow's.
- Eden District Council: Former Cumbria district council that was merged with South Lakeland and Barrow into the new Westmorland and Furness Council. Comparable in scale, rural/semi-rural service delivery, and statutory responsibilities.
- Carlisle City Council: Former Cumbria city council merged into Cumberland Council in 2023. Comparable in providing full statutory services including council housing, environmental health, and leisure facilities.
- South Lakeland District Council: Former district council in Cumbria that, like Barrow Borough Council, was reorganized and merged into the Westmorland and Furness Council in 2023. Directly comparable in scale, services, and the same merger outcome.
Broad incumbents
- Hartlepool Borough Council: Unitary authority in the northeast of England providing full statutory council services. Comparable as a unitary authority with council housing management, environmental protection, and waste services, but larger scale.
Regional players
- Lancaster City Council: Neighbouring northwest England district council providing comparable statutory services including council housing, planning, and waste collection. Same geographic region but not subject to the 2023 Cumbria reorganization.
- Wyre Council: Northwest England borough council providing similar coastal borough services including council housing, environmental health, and leisure services. Similar demographic and coastal geography profile.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Barrow Borough Council social profiles
Digital presenceBarrow Borough Council financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Barrow Borough Council leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Barrow Borough Council funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Barrow Borough Council M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Barrow Borough Council
What does Barrow Borough Council do?
Barrow Borough Council delivered statutory local government services to residents, council tenants, and businesses of Barrow-in-Furness. Core offerings included council housing management, council tax administration, planning and building control, waste collection and recycling, environmental health and public protection, licensing, homelessness prevention, housing benefits, leisure facilities (Barrow Forward), and parking services. Since April 2023, these services have been delivered through the successor Westmorland and Furness Council.
Is Barrow Borough Council a public or private company?
Barrow Borough Council is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Barrow Borough Council founded?
Barrow Borough Council was founded in 2023. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Barrow Borough Council based?
Barrow Borough Council is headquartered in Barrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Barrow Borough Council make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Council Tax is the primary driver. The others are council Housing Rent, business Rates, service Fees and Licenses and garage Rental.
Who are Barrow Borough Council's main competitors?
Others on record are Citizens Advice and Cumbria County Council. Direct peers are Copeland Borough Council, Allerdale Borough Council, Eden District Council, Carlisle City Council and South Lakeland District Council. Hartlepool Borough Council is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are Lancaster City Council and Wyre Council.
Does Barrow Borough Council have an API?
No public API is recorded for Barrow Borough Council.
What industry is Barrow Borough Council in?
Barrow Borough Council's product category is Local Government Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAA, Mayor/City Manager & General Administration, with a secondary code of BPAIANAC, Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services. Its NAICS code is 925 and its SIC code is 7340.