West Lancashire Borough Council shares 2023/24 annual report
The West Lancashire Borough Council Annual Report 2023/24 highlights a year of significant achievements aimed at enhancing residents’ quality of life, maintaining community growth and making West Lancashire an even more desirable place.
Through initiatives like the Skelmersdale Masterplan and Tawd Valley Developments’ housing projects, the Council has made great strides in creating a vision for the Borough’s future, maintaining an environment that balances immediate needs with long-term aspirations for residents.
The Council allocated £1.3 million from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to fund 17 community projects across the Borough. This investment has enhanced local amenities including children’s playgrounds, sports facilities and local healthcare support such as GP surgeries.
The Council were awarded over £1 million for their Community Grants Programme which has benefitted 25 third sector organisations in the Borough to support their delivery of services for the community.
From creating employment opportunities, revitalising public spaces, supporting local businesses to promoting green initiatives, the UKSPF Community Grant Programme has driven significant positive change across West Lancashire.
A highlight was the License to Sew programme which saw the Council stitch together a partnership with The Sewing Rooms in Skelmersdale to help address an important skills gap in a critical sector across the Borough. The programme's primary goal was to equip residents with sewing and textile manufacturing skills through hands-on training in sewing, garment construction and textile repair.
From the poignant D Day event at Beacon Country Park, to the exciting Medieval Festival in Ormskirk, residents and visitors enjoyed a variety of events. The popular Artisan Markets continued to flourish, offering unique local products and supporting local businesses.
By hosting and promoting these events, the Council has boosted footfall, supported local businesses and strengthened the Borough’s vibrant community spirit.
The Council also proudly celebrated receiving the title of ‘Entertainment Champion’ in the Love Your Local Market Campaign 2024 from the National Association of British Market Authorities. This recognition reflects the lively and welcoming atmosphere of our local markets, further establishing West Lancashire as a destination for unique shopping experiences.
Responding to the nation-wide housing crisis through Tawd Valley Developments (TVD), the Council remains at the forefront of innovative housing development. In Skelmersdale, TVD delivered eco-friendly bungalows, flats and state of the art houses at Fairlie, setting new standards for sustainable housing, while also addressing the growing demand for social and affordable housing throughout West Lancashire.
With a focused vision, the Skelmersdale Masterplan has moved forward with phase two showcasing the Council's ambition to enhance the town further as a modern and thriving community hub. These plans are designed to create new opportunities, improve infrastructure and develop a vibrant urban environment that benefits residents, businesses and visitors.
The Community Connectors' pre-loved winter coat campaign ‘Wrap Up West Lancs’ also provided essential warmth to those in need, furthering the Councils commitment to community support.
Additionally, the Our Tenant Voice initiative has empowered council home tenants by creating feedback groups and providing platforms for success stories and suggestions, ensuring tenants’ voices are integral to Council decisions.
As an employer, West Lancashire Borough Council are honoured to have received the Silver Award in the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme. This accolade demonstrates the Council’s dedication to supporting veterans and their families in our community.
Councillor Yvonne Gagen, Leader of West Lancashire Bourgh Council, said: "This year’s achievements reflect our commitment to making West Lancashire a vibrant, inclusive and thriving place for everyone even as we navigate challenging times.
"From celebrating our community spirit with local events to investing in essential infrastructure and supporting innovation, we are proud of the progress we've made together. Despite current financial pressures, we remain dedicated to delivering quality services and ensuring value for money.”
You can read the Council Annual Report in full here: https://www.westlancs.gov.uk/media/547968/wlbc-annual-report-2023-24.pdf
