Plans are on track, says council chief
LEADER of West Lancashire Borough Council Ian Moran believes the main aims of the Council Plan are being achieved, but his claims have been slammed by the Tories.
The authority adopted the plan in October last year and a report to the council meeting on Wednesday, July 20, highlighted the progress made.
The plan’s three main priorities are being ambitious for the economy, environment and health and wellbeing.
Councillor Moran said: “It is a privilege to lead this council to deliver our ambitions for West Lancashire.
“Of course, progress and development in West Lancashire is not all down to the council and we work closely with our partners, agencies, other organisations and volunteers to make a difference for all.”
In terms of the economy the council aims to retain and grow the number of local jobs, increase skills levels and encourage business and growth.
Projects to boost the economy that the council is working on include the Skelmersdale Town Centre Regeneration Scheme with the approval of the planning application from St Modwen.
The scheme will create a new high street link between West Lancashire College and the existing town centre, a multi-screen cinema, restaurants, bars and retail facilities and bring in excess of 500 new jobs. The scheme is currently subject to a legal challenge. However, the commitment to Skelmersdale town centre regeneration continues.
The council has adopted the Ormskirk town centre strategy which promotes a vibrant and successful future for the town.
A town centre management group made up of the council, Ormskirk Community Partnership, representatives of the business community, Edge Hill University and Edge Hill Students Union has been created to have oversight of the project.
In terms of the environment, the council has worked with Lancashire County Council to complete the Moor Street improvement scheme and, with community regeneration specialist Keepmoat, the building of 42 new homes on the Firbeck estate commenced.
The council has also worked with community safety partners on initiatives such as the Mischief Night/Bonfire Night programme.
The council has also taken several significant steps it believes will help improve the health and wellbeing of West Lancashire residents. These include committing £150,000 to the refurbishment of Park Pool and creating a £2.3 million strategic investment reserve for work on major projects, including assisting in developing a new sports centre in Skelmersdale.
These achievements have been decried by local Conservatives however.
Conservative leader Cllr David Westley, said: “Labour’s plan starts off well enough by claiming the credit for completing a number of important projects but these were all started by the previous Conservative administration.
“The Labour administration has nothing to show for its first year in control apart from increased council tax, cuts in services and the approval of more than £5m of debt.
“Making efficiency savings is not rocket science and there is no need to reinvent the wheel as there are plenty of examples across local government, but they take time to implement. “Labour’s failure to plan and their lack of vision mean it will be the residents of West Lancashire that pay the price.”