A Christmas Message from Councillor Yvonne Gagen, Leader of West Lancashire Borough Council

Looking back over 2024, it has been a year of achievements and challenges and one that has been undoubtedly difficult at times.

As a council, we have had to make some very difficult decisions. With government funding having fallen dramatically over the last 14 years and operational costs continually rising, providing the services we all rely on has been increasingly difficult.

I want to reassure everyone that I have heard and understood all of the views you have recently expressed and that these views continue to be at the centre of any future decisions we make.

But 2024 has also seen great progress. The recently launched new Skelmersdale Masterplan will now build on work already undertaken to develop the town centre.

With its focus on much-needed housing, business support and enhanced green spaces, the plan will continue to revitalise the town centre and be a catalyst for positive change and increased prosperity across the Borough.

Council-owned Tawd Valley Developments (TVD) continues to build revolutionary housing schemes, delivering much-needed social and affordable housing in West Lancashire.

Our communities have also benefited from £1.3m of Community Infrastructure Levy funding, enabling 17 projects across the Borough to deliver tangible improvements in important areas like children’s playgrounds, community facilities and support for GP surgeries.

We've also approved plans for £4.2m in funding to support our businesses, workforce and communities to help them thrive.

As we move into 2025, I'd like to offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has worked so hard across the Borough for the benefit of our amazing community.

Despite the inevitable challenges the next year will bring, I'm confident we will also have many achievements to celebrate come this time next year and we'll continue to work incredibly hard on behalf of everyone in West Lancashire.

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Councillor Yvonne Gagen

Leader, West Lancashire Borough Council