Recent activities
People's Panel
Results from the Autumn 2009 survey are now available.
West Lancashire Economic Study
In October 2009 the Council published the West
Lancashire Economic Study prepared by consultants GVA
Grimley. The study was commissioned to allow West Lancashire
to continue to target resources to improve the economic performance
of the area. Now the findings will be used to help strengthen any
future funding bids and for potential lobbying of Government
departments which may help to deliver schemes of future business
support and economic regeneration activity in the borough. It will
also be an important piece of research to inform the Council’s
planning policies and economic strategies for the future.
The consultants gathered information from a
number of sources including workshops held with local employers.
Separate workshops were held with large private sector employers,
small and medium sized businesses, public sector employers and
farming and agricultural businesses. The views gathered were used
to inform the study.
Parish Council Charter
The Council recently consulted with
representatives of the 20 Parish Councils in the Borough to conduct
a review of the “Parish Charter.” The changes arising from the
review will ensure the Charter remains fresh and able to contribute
to the work of both the Borough and Parish Councils in providing
the best possible services for their residents.
Gambling Act 2005
Policy
West Lancashire Borough Council, acting as Licensing Authority,
under the Gambling Act 2005 must publish a statement of policy as
to how it will administer its responsibilities under the Act. The
Council's policy was revised in 2009, and having been approved on
19 January 2010, was published and came into force on the 31
January 2010. The policy was subject to a 12 week consultation
period during the latter part of 2009, which involved all major
stakeholders in the gambling industry and the public of West
Lancashire
Air Quality in Ormskirk
We invited people's views on where an Air Quality
Management Area should be introduced to combat an air quality
issue around Moor Street and Stanley Street in Ormskirk. An
informed report will now be
put to council to formally declare an air quality
management area and help ensure the continued health and
safety of residents and the environment.
Your West Lancashire 2027
From early September to mid October
2009, the Council asked people how they thought West
Lancashire should develop over the coming years to
2027. We received several hundred responses in writing from
many different individuals and groups. We also listened to a
variety of views from local people at a number of public meetings
("Spatial Forums") held across West Lancashire.
We will analyse the comments that people have made and publish a
"Consultation Report" summarising what people said. We will use the
consultation results to inform us in choosing a "Preferred Option"
for the future development of the borough. We will
consult on the preferred option during Autumn 2010.
New play area at Summer Street,
Skelmersdale
We invited a selection of play manufacturers to submit
designs for new play facilities in Summer Street, Ashurst. In
August 2009, the designs went on display and local residents and
children chose their favourite. Work began at the end of October to
install the new equipment in time for Christmas.
Richmond Park, Burscough
Local residents and schools gave their views about proposed
improvements to Richmond Park. A development programme was drawn up
in response to people's wishes and a number of improvements have
been carried out including demolition of the old pavilion,
installation of a new pavilion, tree management and
drainage improvements. Further improvements are planned in the
coming months.
Standards Commitee
In Autumn 2009 the Council invited people to join its Standards
Committee, which promotes and maintains high standards of conduct
for the 54 Borough Councillors as well as the all Parish
Councillors serving on 20 Parish Councils in its area. The closing
date for applications was 1 December. The applications received are
being considered, and appointments will be made early in 2010.
Draft Statement of Licensing Policy 2009
We developed a new draft licensing policy for Hackney
Carriage and Private Hire vehicles, drivers and operators, on which
we sought public opinion. The policy has been established to
provide clear guidance to the taxi trade, as well as the travelling
public. We analysed the 130 responses (including 2 petitions)
that were received and extended the consultation period . The
draft policy will return to Licensing & Appeals Committee on 16
February 2010 for final approval.
Housing Study
West Lancs residents were invited to give their views on housing
issues in a special survey in June and July 2009. The
survey was completely confidential and was being carried out
on the Council’s behalf by Fordham Research, an experienced and
independent consultant specialising in housing
issues.
West Lancashire Heritage Strategy
Consultation on the draft West Lancashire Heritage Strategy
was carried out in summer 2009. The strategy aims to provide an
overview of how we will undertake our duty to
preserve the historic environment of the borough and promote
awareness of the value of our shared heritage. The revised strategy
was approved by Cabinet in September 2009.
Housing Land Availability Assessment
(SHLAA)
The SHLAA is a joint study being carried out by West
Lancs Council in partnership with neighbouring
authorities (external link) and led by Sefton Council. The
study looks at how much land could potentially be available for
housing over the coming years. All your comments on the draft
report have know been passed to the consultants for them
to take into account as they prepare the final report which is
expected in Spring 2010.
- Find more information about SHLAA
Place Survey 2008
This was a major survey to gather local
residents’ views about West Lancashire and the services provided by
West Lancs Borough Council and Lancashire County Council.
Questionnaires were issued to around 3,000 households all over the
district. The results will help the Council and its partners
make improvements.
Joint Employment Land and Premises Study
Consultants BE Group were appointed in the summer of 2008 to
prepare an Employment Land and Premises Study. This work was
commissioned jointly along with Sefton, Knowsley and Halton
Councils. The aims of the study were to identify the requirements
for employment land up to 2027 and to review the existing land
allocations in the Borough to assess whether they should be
retained for employment purposes. The consultation draft of this report was
published in May 2009 (see below). The final report will
be published here in due course.
Sustainable Communities Act
Thank you to everyone who sent in ideas for the Sustainable
Communities Act. The Act aims to improve the well-being of
local communities through suggestions put forward by local
people. It's based on the principle that you know what needs
to be done in your area but that sometimes central government
needs to act to enable change to happen.
Housing Allocations Policy
The Government requires all local authorities to have a Choice
Based Letting Scheme in place by 2010. In preparation for this, the
Council reviewed its Housing Allocations Policy and invited people
to give their views during Spring 2009. The new allocations policy
was agreed and came into effect in October 2009.
Overview and Scrutiny
The Council’s Overview and Scrutiny
Committee invited residents to submit ideas to be included in
their work programme for 2009/10. A number of topics were
suggested.
Issues Questionnaire 2009
Consultation on the West Lancashire Core Strategy Issues
Questionnaire took place between December 2008 and January 2009.
Approximately 100 comments were received identifying a number of
issues that it was felt the Core Strategy should tackle. The
information collected through this questionnaire fed into the West
Lancashire Core Strategy Issues and Options Paper, published later
in 2009.
Edge Hill University / West Lancs Borough Council
Forum
Edge Hill University and West Lancs Borough Council have
established a special Forum to ensure they work together more
closely for the benefit of Ormskirk and the district as a whole.
The Forum brings together senior university board members and
district councillors to discuss issues of mutual concern and meets
four times a year.
Skelmersdale town centre
Extensive consultation has been carried out on
the proposals to regenerate Skelmersdale town centre.
Open Space, Sport and Recreation
Study
Consultants PMP were appointed in the
summer of 2008 to prepare an Open Space, Recreation and Sport
Assessment for West Lancashire. The aim was to look at the
quantity, quality and accessibility of open space provision across
the borough and identify any deficiencies / gaps which could be
plugged through the planning process. Questionnaires were issued to
a random selection of 5,500 households in West Lancashire to gather
information about people's perceptions of open
space. Consultation was also carried out with schools and
other key stakeholders. The report will be published here
when available.
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