Decisions

Consideration was given to the report of the Acting Chief Executive, as contained on pages 87 to 110 of the Book of Reports, which provided an update on the current position of Local Government Reorganisation.

RESOLVED:

A.    That the report be noted.

B.    That, in principle, the Council's preferred option would be to align with Chorley Borough Council and South Ribble Council as part of any future local government reorganisation.

C.    That a Council Working Group be established to consider all matters arising out of Local Government Reorganisation, with the membership comprising of: The Leader of the Council, who shall be the Chairperson; Leader of the Conservative Group and Leader of the Our West Lancs Group, and that the Terms of Reference be agreed as follows:

Functions

(a)    To undertake meaningful and productive discussions in relation to all matters/actions arising out of Local Government Reorganisation.

(b)    To assess any risks/benefits to the council arising from Local Government Reorganisation.

(c)    To make recommendations to Council/Policy & Resources, when appropriate.

D.    That the Chief Executive/Acting Chief Executive/Deputy Chief Executive, in discussion with the Leader, be given delegated authority to undertake all actions arising out of Local Government Reorganisation including any necessary Consultation.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Economy, Planning & Wellbeing, as contained on pages 69 to 80 of the Book of Reports, which provided an update on the continuation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) into Year 4 (2025/26), and Rural England Prosperity Fund, confirmed governance and funding arrangements and sought approval for the Council’s proposed delivery approach.  The report summarised delivery achievements to date and provided detail on proposed activities to be delivered within West Lancashire’s Year 4 allocation.

RESOLVED:

A.    That the spending proposals and all other associated work(s) required to deliver, award, manage and monitor the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Year 4 allocation of £1,381,211 (comprising £257,112 capital and £1,124,099 revenue) and the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) Year 4 allocation of £132,467 (all capital) as set out in the report be approved.

B.    That the Director of Planning, Economy & Wellbeing, in discussion with the relevant Lead Member, be granted delegated authority to finalise project delivery arrangements, commission services or allocate funding to partners, deliver projects directly where appropriate and make reasonable amendments to project scope or financial allocations to ensure timely and effective programme delivery.

(Note: Councillor Adrian Owens asked that his abstention from voting be recorded.)

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director of Environmental Services, as contained on pages 59 to 68 of the Book of Reports, which sought authority to receive and thereafter administer the estimated Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) payment of £1,124,000 to improve the delivery of the waste service and to be more effective and efficient as required.

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

An Amendment, circulated prior to the meeting, from Councillor Eccles was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken on the Amendment, was LOST.

A vote was taken on the Motion, was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:   That the Assistant Director of Environmental Services be given delegated authority to receive and thereafter administer the EPR funding.

(Note: The Assistant Director of Environmental Services gave an undertaking to keep Councillors informed of decisions, via the Policy & Resources Members Update.)

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Economy, Planning & Wellbeing, as contained on pages 111 to 112 of the Book of Reports, which provided an update on the programme of essential repairs required to ensure the continued operation of Nye Bevan and Park Pool leisure centres over the next five years, in accordance with the resolution passed at the Council meeting on 26th February 2025.

RESOLVED:

A.    That the current condition of Nye Bevan and Park Pool leisure centres be noted.

B.    That ongoing repairs and maintenance continue to be managed within existing financial provisions whilst further work is undertaken to identify longer term requirements.

A Motion to exclude the press and public in respect of the following items, was moved and seconded.

A request to consider items 15 'Accommodation Strategy' & 16 Business Unit Scheme at Junction 4, Skelmersdale' in public was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken on the Motion to exclude the press and public, which was CARRIED.

RESOLVED: 

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption under Schedule 12A outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the undermentioned meetings of the Committees shown.

RESOLVED    That the minutes of the undermentioned meetings and any recommendations contained in them, be approved:

A.     Policy & Resources Committee – Tuesday, 4 February and 25 March 2025

B.     Licensing & Appeals Committee – Tuesday, 11 February 2025

C.    Audit & Governance Committee – Wednesday, 19 February 2025

D.    Planning Committee – Thursday, 20 March 2025

RESOLVED:   That the minutes of the Council meetings held on Wednesday, 26 February and Friday, 14 March 2025, be received as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Planning, Economy & Wellbeing, as contained on pages 113 to 228 of the Book of Reports, which detailed the public consultation feedback on the draft Skelmersdale Town Centre Masterplan and sought approval of the final version. 

The report further detailed the delivery options for the Masterplan, sought approval of Tawd Valley Developments Ltd (TVDL) as the scheme Master Developer, supporting West Lancashire Borough Council in implementation advised that a Delivery Plan was in development which would set out the phasing, funding mechanisms and key stakeholder engagement required to support the Masterplan's implementation.

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

An Amendment to the Motion was moved and seconded.

A vote was taken on the Amendment, which was LOST.

A vote was taken on the original Motion, which was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

A.    That the Masterplan for Skelmersdale Town Centre be approved.

B.    That the outcome of the public consultation and the changes made to the Masterplan as a result, be noted.

C.    That TVDL be approved as the scheme Master Developer, subject to compliance with procurement regulations.

D.    That the Director of Planning, Economy and Wellbeing, in discussion with the relevant Lead Member, be given delegated authority to undertake all actions required to ensure delivery of the Masterplan, including but not limited to progressing funding applications, negotiations with external partners and entering into any necessary legal agreements where appropriate.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Housing & Environment, as contained on pages 81 to 86 of the Book of Reports, which provided an update on the outcome of the inspection of West Lancashire Borough Council by the Regulator of Social Housing that took place in November 2024, following the publication of the Regulatory Judgement on 26^th February 2025.

The Minutes of the Landlord Services Working Group and the Policy & Resources Committee had been previously circulated.

RESOLVED:   That the content of the report be noted and that a Housing Regulation update on progress against the standards continues to be provided annually.