News
Updates from OWL
TAWD VALLEY DEVELOPMENTS
Following two recent press releases from West Lancashire Borough Council/Tawd Valley Developments (the wholly owned WLBC subsidiary) here and here, Our West Lancashire are issuing the following statement: Councillor Adrian Owens said, “The Borough Council have recently been celebrating the community…
OWL Councillor elected Mayor as Labour’s Control is trimmed back
Speaking after the Annual Council Meeting, local Independents, Our West Lancashire Group Chairman Adrian Owens said, “It was wonderful to see Councillor Gordon Johnson from our Group, elected as Mayor. As a football referee, he has plenty of useful experience to…
Election Result Message from voters is that all parties should work together
Speaking after local Independents, Our West Lancashire gained a further seat on the Borough Council to form a 7-strong group, OWL Group Chairman, Councillor Adrian Owens said, “Firstly, I want to thank everyone who voted in these elections and especially those…
‘Don’t Forget Existing Council Houses’ in Housing Budget Plans
Our West Lancashire’s alternative housing budget would see the start on plans for a third Revival project in Skelmersdale along with an additional £1 million in measures to better insulate and improve energy efficiency of the current council housing stock. Cllr…
New plans for Ormskirk bus station are ‘an improvement on the last proposals’, but concerns remain.
Revised plans for the redevelopment of Ormskirk Bus Station are a big improvement on the previous plans say Our West Lancashire councillors from the town, but the lack of a waiting room and other concerns need ironing out in the new…
County Council must ensure their Bridge plans don’t create traffic jams in Ormskirk
Commenting on Lancashire County Council’s plans to restrict Derby Street to one lane in Ormskirk Town Centre as part of plans to repair the Railway Bridge, Our West Lancashire Councillor, Gordon Johnson said: “Although I am aware of previous discussion around…
Fight Flytipping Blight with CCTV say Our West Lancashire
The Borough Council should be using mobile CCTV equipment at flytipping hotspots say Council Independents, Our West Lancashire. “Councils across the country use CCTV to deter flytippers and to gather evidence to prosecute offenders. West Lancashire residents deserve the same service”…
Public To Be Consulted On New Plans For Ormskirk Bus Station
Revised plans for the redevelopment of Ormskirk Bus Station will be put to a full public consultation early next year in a move warmly welcomed by Our West Lancashire councillors from the town. Cllr Jane Thompson from Scott ward said, “Last…
Don’t repeat the mistake made in September – Labour’s Decision to charge for short stay parking in Ormskirk Town Centre saw visitor numbers fall by nearly 30,000
Our West Lancashire have called on the Borough Council to keep short stay parking free of charge in Ormskirk Town Centre past Christmas and until a retail recovery is underway. The call from OWL, the Council Independents came as figures from…
Plant a Tree in Memory and for a Brighter Future
Our West Lancashire are calling on residents to consider planting a tree in memory of a loved one and as a sign of hope in the future. Cllr Jane Thompson said, “It’s tree planting season – National Tree Planting Week starts…
Community Christmas Tree to return this month
The return of the Community Christmas tree later this month will be a sign of cheer in a year where there has been precious little to cheer about. The arrival of the Christmas lights, tree and crib in Ormskirk is the…
Council Fritter Away £1575 on Training Mayor how to Chair a Meeting
Extravagant spend comes as long serving council staff are made redundant and others face possible short-time working West Lancashire Borough Council have been strongly criticised for spending £1575 on a one-day online training session for the Mayor on chairing council meetings. …
Demolition of ‘Pagoda’ on hold as costs spiral
Our West Lancashire call for fresh public consultation Controversial plans to demolish the ‘pagoda’ at Wheatsheaf Walk in Ormskirk are on hold after the demolition costs reported to councillors were found to be a gross underestimate. Revised costs have not been…
Hopes rise for flood affected area after Network Rail ‘come to the table’
Hopes for progress to alleviate flood risk for long-suffering residents living in Crabtree Lane in Burscough have risen. Network Rail drainage experts have confirmed drainage investigation works are underway and they will be meeting with Lancashire County Council on Monday. Residents…
Labour’s Car Park Charging Decision could suffocate Ormskirk’s recovering shop trade
Labour’s Car Park Charging Decision could suffocate Ormskirk’s recovering shop trade Visitor numbers in Ormskirk town centre remain well down on pre-Covid levels and to re-introduce the full pre-Covid car parking charges next month risks suffocating the recent revival in trade…
Council can’t claim to be green when it doesn’t even consider best available energy efficiency in new council homes
Our West Lancashire councillors have questioned how committed the Borough Council is to its carbon neutrality plans. This after news emerged that the council had not even considered the best available energy efficiency standards when planning 37 new council homes in…
Hope for Jobs for Young People at Borough Council after OWL action
Borough Councillors voted unanimously to receive a report in October seeking to recruit more young people to council apprenticeships after Our West Lancashire raised the matter at last week’s council meeting. OWL Chairman, Cllr Adrian Owens said, “Young people are 2.5…
Labour set to disregard public outcry and remove pagoda in Ormskirk Town Centre
The ‘pagoda’ in Wheatsheaf Walk, Ormskirk looks set for demolition after all six Labour councillors, none representing Ormskirk, voted in favour at the Executive Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday evening. The Labour cabinet are now expected to rubber stamp this.…
Keep current free car parking in Ormskirk Town Centre to help businesses
Parking in Ormskirk Town Centre should remain free of charge until at least the autumn to help businesses back onto their feet say Council Independents, Our West Lancashire. OWL Chairman, Cllr Adrian Owens wrote to the Council Leader and Chief Officer…
OWL Secure Deep Clean Of Ormskirk Town Centre After Long Campaign
Ormskirk Town Centre is set for a much needed deep clean after a long campaign from Council Independents, Our West Lancashire who first raised the matter more than a year ago. The Council responded by purchasing the equipment for such a…
