It is likely that local churches will be in contact with someone from their parish council (not to be confused with the parochial church council). 

Support available at parish level

• The Cumbria Association of Local Councils provides information and contact details for all parish Councils in Cumbria. 
• Churches should look to get involved in the production of the Parish Plshn as this the most localised form of planning. Most Parish Councils have either produced or are in the process of producing Parish Plans which are local, action-based plans addressing a wide range of problems and opportunities facing rural communities. They cover social, economic and environmental issues and give everyone in the community the chance to be involved.
• Parish Plans may be described as Community Plans, Community Action Plans or Town Plans and may be based on a Village Appraisal. ACT (Action with Communities in Cumbria) is compiling the Directory of Community Action Plans in Cumbria, a resource that will enable every plan produced to be viewed on their website.
• Parish Plan example: Middleton (near Barbon, S Lakes) has a parish room and a church.  Both public buildings needed repairing but insufficient funds and usage would allow both to be repaired.  The community worked on the parish plan and identified that focus should be on the church which has since been repaired and will be adapted for community use.