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).  But if needed, the Cumbria Association of Local Councils provides information and contact details for all parish Councils in Cumbria.  

More importantly churches could be looking to get involved in the production of the Parish Plan as this the most localised form of plan that exists in the UK. 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.  In the past your parish might even have done a Village Appraisal. The name’s not important, as the process of carrying out an appraisal and producing an action plan at the end of it is still the same. 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.