Decision details

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 229 to 350 of the Book of Reports, which detailed the proposed Accommodation Strategy transformation programme for West Lancashire Borough Council and the options, delivery approach and timetable for implementation.

A Motion to approve the recommendations at paragraph 2 of the report was moved and seconded.

An Amendment to the Motion, circulated prior to the meeting, was moved and seconded in the following terms:

"That consideration of the Accommodation Strategy, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be deferred, until such time as the outcome of the pending Local Government Re-organisation has been established and the future accommodation needs of the successor authority have been identified and a public consultation has been held on the proposed re-location transfer of the Council's Civic Centre."

A vote was taken on the Amendment which, at the request of a Member, was recorded as follows:

FOR:            Councillors: Bailey, Blundell, Eccles, de Freitas, Gordon, Howard, Ingman, Juckes, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Pope, Mrs Westley and Whittington (THIRTEEN)

AGAINST:    Councillors: Abbott, Aldridge, Anderson, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Devine, Dowling, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, Gagen, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Lawton, Molloy, Nixon, G Owen, Parlour, Patel, Pryce-Roberts and West (TWENTY-THREE)

ABSTENTIONS:   Councillors: Furey, Hesketh, Hogan, Lloyd, A Owens, Rigby and Webster (SEVEN)

The Amendment was LOST.

A further Amendment to the Motion, was moved and seconded in the following terms:

"1. That the Accommodation Strategy, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be noted.

2.  That a decision be deferred one cycle and an updated report be brought to the July 2025 council meeting to allow full consideration of Option AS06."

A vote was taken on the Further Amendment which, at the request of a Member, was recorded as follows:

FOR:            Councillors: Bailey, Blundell, Eccles, de Freitas, Furey, Gordon, Hesketh, Hogan, Howard, Ingman, Juckes, Lloyd, Mrs Marshall, Mee, A Owens, Pope, Rigby, Webster, Mrs Westley and Whittington (TWENTY)

AGAINST:    Councillors: Abbott, Aldridge, Anderson, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Devine, Dowling, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, Gagen, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Lawton, Molloy, Nixon, G Owen, Parlour, Patel, Pryce-Roberts and West (TWENTY-THREE)

ABSTENTIONS:   NONE

The Amendment was LOST.

A vote was taken on the original Motion which, at the request of a Member, was recorded as follows:

FOR:            Councillors: Abbott, Aldridge, Anderson, Burnside, Coughlan, Cummins, Devine, Dowling, Fennell, Fillis, Finch, Fowler, Gagen, N Hennessy, P Hennessy, Lawton, Molloy, Nixon, G Owen, Parlour, Patel, Pryce-Roberts and West (TWENTY-THREE)

AGAINST:    Councillors: Bailey, Blundell, Eccles, de Freitas, Gordon, Hesketh, Howard, Ingman, Juckes, Mrs Marshall, Mee,

A Owens, Pope, Rigby, Webster, Mrs Westley and Whittington (SEVENTEEN)

ABSTENTIONS:   Councillors: Furey, Hogan and Lloyd (THREE)

The Motion was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

A.    That the Accommodation Strategy, attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be noted.

B.    That Option AS04 be approved and that the Director of Housing and Environment be given delegated authority to take all necessary steps to implement this option.

C.    That Tawd Valley Developments Ltd. be approved as scheme master developer in supporting the Council.

D.    That in line with Option AS04, the Council site at Derby Street be sold to Tawd Valley Developments Ltd. for the purpose of delivering a new residential scheme, subject to the conditions at paragraph 8.4 being met.