The Council has decided to establish town councils for Skelmersdale and Ormskirk to strengthen local democracy and community representation.

URL: https://democracy.westlancs.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=623

Decision Maker: Council

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The following Motion was moved and seconded as follows:   "This Council notes that: The Government’s English Devolution White Paper – Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth (December 2024) sets out the most significant programme of local government reform in over fifty years, combining Local Government Reorganisation with English devolution. The White Paper makes clear that these reforms are intended not only to simplify local government but also to strengthen local democracy and community empowerment. The White Paper states: “We know people value the role of governance at the community scale… We will therefore want to see stronger community arrangements when reorganisation happens… We will also rewire the relationship between town and parish councils and principal local authorities, strengthening expectations on engagement and community voice.” The Government has made clear that larger unitary authorities should be complemented by stronger community governance, ensuring that local identity and neighbourhood representation are strengthened rather than diminished. Skelmersdale and Ormskirk are West Lancashire’s two principal towns, each with its own distinct history, identity, communities and aspirations, yet neither benefits from an elected town council dedicated solely to representing its residents and championing its local priorities. Skelmersdale is one of England’s largest towns without a town council, while Ormskirk, the Borough’s historic market town and administrative centre, likewise lacks an elected town council despite its significant civic, cultural and economic importance. Town councils across England play an increasingly important role in: representing local communities; supporting regeneration and economic development; delivering neighbourhood services; managing community assets; supporting local organisations; improving parks and public spaces; promoting civic pride and local identity. This Council believes that: Local Government Reorganisation must strengthen—not weaken—local democracy. As decision-making moves to larger unitary authorities serving substantially larger populations, there is a compelling need to ensure that communities continue to have a strong, democratic voice at the neighbourhood level. The creation of Town Councils for both Skelmersdale and Ormskirk would provide that voice by creating democratically accountable bodies focused exclusively on the interests of their respective communities. Such councils would: strengthen local democracy and accountability; enhance community engagement and participation; support regeneration and economic development; promote civic identity and local pride; provide stronger advocacy for local communities; work in partnership with the future unitary authority to deliver neighbourhood priorities; ensure that decisions affecting each town continue to be shaped by those who know and represent them best. The Council further believes that the current programme of Local Government Reorganisation presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to establish governance arrangements that will serve the people of West Lancashire for decades to come. This Council therefore resolves to: Commence a Community Governance Review under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 to consider the establishment of Town Councils for Skelmersdale and Ormskirk. Ensure that the Review considers, for each proposed Town Council: appropriate boundaries; warding arrangements; councillor numbers; governance arrangements; financial implications and precept levels; opportunities for community asset management and local service delivery; implementation alongside Local Government Reorganisation wherever practicable. Undertake comprehensive public consultation with residents, businesses, community organisations and other stakeholders in both towns to ensure that proposals reflect local aspirations. Engage with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and those leading Local Government Reorganisation in Lancashire to ensure that enhanced community governance forms part of the wider programme of local government reform. Receive a report on the outcome of the Community Governance Review with recommendations for implementation."   An Amendment, circulated prior to the meeting was moved and seconded.   The mover and seconder of the Motion accepted the Amendment, with the agreement of the meeting.   A vote was taken on the Altered Motion, which was CARRIED.   RESOLVED:   A.    This Council notes that: (i)          The Government’s English Devolution White Paper – Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth (December 2024) sets out the most significant programme of local government reform in over fifty years, combining Local Government Reorganisation with English devolution. The White Paper makes clear that these reforms are intended not only to simplify local government but also to strengthen local democracy and community empowerment. (ii)         The White Paper states:“We know people value the role of governance at the community scale… We will therefore want to see stronger community arrangements when reorganisation happens… We will also rewire the relationship between town and parish councils and principal local authorities, strengthening expectations on engagement and community voice.” (iii)       The Government has made clear that larger unitary authorities should be complemented by stronger community governance, ensuring that local identity and neighbourhood representation are strengthened rather than diminished.   (iv)      Skelmersdale and Ormskirk are West Lancashire’s two principal towns, each with its own distinct history, identity, communities and aspirations, yet neither benefits from an elected town council dedicated solely to representing its residents and championing its local priorities.   (v)        In addition, Westhead is the only other area of West Lancashire without oversight by a parish council.   (vi)  Skelmersdale is one of England’s largest towns without a town council, while Ormskirk, the Borough’s historic market town and administrative centre, likewise lacks an elected town council despite its significant civic, cultural and economic importance.   (vii)     Town and parish councils across England play an increasingly important role in: o representing local communities; o supporting regeneration and economic development; o delivering neighbourhood services; o managing community assets; o supporting local organisations; o improving parks and public spaces; o promoting civic pride and local identity.   B.    That this Council believes that: (i)              Local Government Reorganisation must strengthen—not weaken—local democracy. (ii)             As decision-making moves to larger unitary authorities serving substantially larger populations, there is a compelling need to ensure that communities continue to have a strong, democratic voice at the neighbourhood level. (iii)           The creation of Town Councils for both Skelmersdale and Ormskirk and a parish council for Westhead is one way to provide that voice by creating democratically accountable bodies focused exclusively on the interests of their respective communities, but other methods such as the establishment of area committees under the new unitary council is another method (iv)           Such councils or area committees would: ·         strengthen local democracy and accountability; ·         enhance community engagement and participation; ·         support regeneration and economic development; ·         promote civic identity and local pride; ·         provide stronger advocacy for local communities; ·         work in partnership with the future unitary authority to deliver neighbourhood priorities; ·         ensure that decisions affecting each town continue to be shaped by those who know and represent them best. (v)             That the current programme of Local Government Reorganisation presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to establish governance arrangements that will serve the people of West Lancashire for decades to come.   C.     That a wide and inclusive initial public consultation be undertaken with residents, businesses, community organisations and other stakeholders in both towns and Westhead to test public support for (i)    establishment of new town and parish councils (ii)   the alternative establishment of area committees to ensure that proposals at the next stage reflect local aspirations.   D.         That the Council engage with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and those leading Local Government Reorganisation in Lancashire to ensure that enhanced community governance forms part of the wider programme of local government reform.   E.          That a report on the outcome of the public consultation undertaken at 1 above be submitted to full council no later than April 2027, to allow the Council to make recommendations to the new Shadow Authority on this council’s preferred option for enhanced community governance.            

Date of Decision: July 15, 2026