Hesket Parish Council serves the communities on and around the A6 between Carlisle and Penrith, Cumbria. The Council consists of three electoral wards, each represented by five Parish Councillors. Armathwaite ward represents the villages and surrounding area of Armathwaite, High Hesket and Low Hesket, Calthwaite ward the villages and surrounding area of Calthwaite and Plumpton, and Southwaite ward
the village and surrounding area of Southwaite, and parts of the villages of Ivegill and Wreay. Also known as Hesket-in-the-Forest, the parish is believed to have been in existence since the fourteenth century. The civil Parish was officially formed in 1894, with the passing of the Local Government Act, and was expanded in 1934 by the absorption of the Parish of Plumpton Wall. The Parish Council represents the interests of local people, helping to provide local amenities such as public seating, noticeboards, bus shelters and a play area in Armathwaite and in 2019 took on responsibility for footway lighting. The Council also awards grants to help the local community, and represents local interests with regard to highways issues and planning and development within the Parish.
