Linear Park Feasibility Study
Consultants have carried out out a feasibility study of the
proposal to provide a linear park alongside the river and canal
between Tarleton and Hesketh Bank. The study began in October 2009
and is was completed in June 2010. The consultants spoke to a
number of organisations, businesses and landowners to gather views
. A report on the study will be presented to Cabinet later this
year, and more information will be provided here when it is
available.
before finalising a report setting out proposals for the area
together with costs and possible sources of funding.
Improvements to Halsall Lane Park
Work has been completed at Halsall Lane Park in Ormskirk, after
the Council asked residents to vote for the top three
improvements they would like to see. The Council
allocated £40,000 to spend on refurbishing the park on the corner
of Halsall Lane and Cottage Lane and worked with the local
Residents’ Association and community to find out what type of
facilities they would like to see.
Council Housing Finance
The Council has responded to the
Government's consultation paper that looks to change the
way that council housing is financed. The Council invited the
public to give their views and all the comments received were
considered when the Council discussed the matter at its
meeting on 23 June.
Choice Based Lettings
We will soon be changing the way we allocate our empty homes.
Following some initial consultation with tenants, a draft Choice
Based Lettings Policy was prepared which we then sought residents'
views on. We will be taking all comments received into
consideration and hope to publish the final policy in August
2010.
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
borough. The results help the Council and its partners make
improvements.
Face the People
West Lancashire Community Safety Partnership held a
special public meeting on Wednesday 10 March at Edge Hill
University to engage with residents and give feedback about what
they are doing to fight crime and the fear of crime. The event
focused on young people and Dave Guest, BBC North West’s chief
reporter, was compere.
Housing strategy
A range of surveys and research studies are carried out by
the Council in relation to housing strategy. Thes include
research to understand housing need, housing markets and
economic issues.
Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)
The SHLAA was carried out by West Lancs Council in
partnership with neighbouring
authorities (external link) and led by Sefton Council. The
study looked at how much land could potentially be available for
housing over the coming years. All the comments made on the draft
report were passed to the consultants and taken into account
as they prepared the final report.
- Find more information about SHLAA and
read the final report
Residential Development Policy
Following changes to regional and
national policy, and in order to maintain a healthy supply of
housing land, the Council proposes to relax its current
housing policy. The revised policy will allow market housing
in many of our rural settlements. It will also seek to secure
a greater number of affordable housing units in the
Borough. Consultation was carried out from 18 February to 18
March 2010. We are now studying the different comments we have
received, and will prepare a report setting out our responses to
people's commments. We intend to take this report to Full
Council later in spring with a view to adopting a final version of
the policy.
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 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.
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.
Licensing Policy 2010
The Council developed a new 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 policy was given final by Council in February, and
came into force on 1 April 2010.
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.
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 final report is now available.
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.
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.