West Lancashire

The district was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, covering the whole area of two former districts and parts of another two districts, all of which were abolished at the same time:{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|accessdate=22 August 2022}}

• Ormskirk Urban District
• Skelmersdale and Holland Urban District
• West Lancashire Rural District (majority of former district's territory; remainder went to Merseyside)
• Wigan Rural District (parishes of Dalton, Parbold and Wrightington; remainder went to Greater Manchester)

In 2009 the district was awarded borough status, causing the council to change its name from West Lancashire District Council to West Lancashire Borough Council, and allowing the chairman of the council to take the title of mayor.{{cite web|url=https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/lgbce/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/17520/bulletinchanges08-09.pdf|title=Orders and changes made by the Government and Councils between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009|publisher=Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government|accessdate=4 July 2022}}{{cite web | title=The Royal Charter | url=http://www.westlancsdc.gov.uk/council__democracy/borough_status/royal_charter.aspx | publisher=West Lancashire District Council | date=13 May 2009 | access-date=28 May 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606064405/http://www.westlancsdc.gov.uk/council__democracy/borough_status/royal_charter.aspx | archive-date=6 June 2011 }}

Proposals to divide Lancashire into three unitary authorities were put forward in 2020, which would have seen both Lancashire County Council and West Lancashire Borough Council abolished.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-53573174|title=Lancashire councils face abolition in shake-up|publisher=BBC|access-date=22 September 2020}} The Government did not pursue that proposed reform, although left open the possibility of other forms of reorganisation in future.{{cite news |last1=Faulkner |first1=Paul |title=Where plans to carve up Lancashire and abolish its 15 councils are up to |url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/plans-carve-up-lancashire-abolish-21156748 |access-date=26 August 2022 |work=Lancs Live |date=28 July 2021}}

{{Infobox legislature

| name = West Lancashire Borough Council

| native_name =

| transcription_name =

| legislature =

| coa_pic =

| coa_res =

| logo_pic = West Lancashire Borough Council logo.jpeg

| logo_res =

| house_type = Non-metropolitan district

| body =

| houses =

| leader1_type = Mayor

| leader1 = Anne Fennell

| party1 =
Labour

| election1 = 23 May 2025{{cite web |title=Councillor Anne Fennell elected new Mayor of West Lancashire, 23 May 2025 |url=https://www.westlancs.gov.uk/news/councillor-anne-fennell-elected-new-mayor-of-west-lancashire.aspx |website=West Lancashire Borough Council |access-date=26 May 2025}}

| leader2_type = Leader

| leader2 = Yvonne Gagen

| party2 =
Labour

| election2 = 18 May 2022{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 18 May 2022 |url=https://democracy.westlancs.gov.uk/documents/g2709/Printed%20minutes%2018th-May-2022%2019.30%20Council.pdf?T=1 |website=West Lancashire Borough Council |access-date=26 August 2022}}

| leader3_type = Chief Operating Officer

| leader3 = Jacqui Sinnott-Lacey

| party3 =

| election3 = 2020{{cite news |title=Jacqui Sinnott-Lacey appointed as West Lancashire Borough Council's new Chief Operating Officer |url=https://skemnews.com/jacqui-sinnott-lacey-appointed-as-west-lancashire-borough-councils-new-chief-operating-officer/ |access-date=27 June 2023 |work=Skem News |date=7 January 2020}}

| members = 45 councillors

| house1 =

| house2 =

| structure1 =

| structure1_res = 250px

| structure2 =

| structure2_res =

| political_groups1 =

;Administration (26)

: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Labour (26)}}

;Other parties (19)

: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Conservatives (14)}}

: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Our West Lancashire}}|border=darkgray}} Our West Lancashire (5)}}

| committees1 =

| committees2 =

| joint_committees =

| voting_system1 =

| voting_system2 =

| last_election1 = 2 May 2024

| last_election2 = 7 May 2026

| session_room =

| session_res =

| meeting_place = 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk, L39{{nbsp}}2DF

| website = {{url|www.westlancs.gov.uk}}

| footnotes =

}}

West Lancashire Borough Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Lancashire County Council.{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|access-date=31 May 2023}} Parts of the district are also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government.{{cite web |title=Election maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=6 June 2023}}

The council employs around 600 people, making it one of West Lancashire's largest employers. It is responsible for the administration of various services, such as leisure, waste collection, planning permission and pest control.{{cite web |title=Management of the Council |url=https://www.westlancs.gov.uk/about-the-council/how-the-council-works/management-of-the-council.aspx |publisher=West Lancashire Borough Council |access-date=13 December 2020}}

The council has been under Labour majority control since 2023.

The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements came into effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:{{cite web |title=Compositions calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/?page_id=3825 |website=The Elections Centre | date=4 March 2016 |access-date=1 June 2023}}{{cite news| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/elections/local_council/08/html/30up.stm | title = West Lancashire | access-date = 2010-04-13 | work = BBC News Online | date=19 April 2008}}

The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in West Lancashire. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the council. The leaders since 1992 have been:{{cite web |title=Council minutes |url=https://democracy.westlancs.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1 |website=West Lancashire Borough Council |access-date=26 August 2022}}

Following the 2024 election, the composition of the council was:{{cite news |title=Local elections 2024: full mayoral and council results for England |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2024/may/02/local-elections-2024-full-council-results-for-england |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=4 May 2024}}

The next election is due in 2026.

The council is based at 52 Derby Street in Ormskirk, which was originally a pair of large semi-detached Victorian houses called Beaconsfield (number 52) and Abbotsford (number 54).1911 Census, Class RG14; Piece 22822; Schedules 220–221 Beaconsfield was purchased in 1925 by West Lancashire Rural District Council, one of the modern council's predecessors, and converted to become its headquarters, being formally opened on 30 July 1925.{{cite news |title=West Lancashire Council's new offices |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=27 August 2022 |work=Ormskirk Advertiser |date=6 August 1925 |page=3}} Abbotsford was acquired later and the building has been significantly extended to the rear.{{cite web |title=West Lancashire Borough Council |url=https://www.westlancs.gov.uk/ |access-date=27 August 2022}}

{{also|West Lancashire Borough Council elections}}

Since the last boundary changes in 2023 the council has comprised 45 councillors representing 15 wards, with each ward electing three councillors. Elections are held three years out of every four, with a third of the council (one councillor for each ward) being elected each time for a four-year term. Lancashire County Council elections are held in the fourth year of the cycle when there are no borough council elections.{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The West Lancashire (Electoral Changes) Order 2022|year=2022|number=1179|access-date=27 June 2023}}

The south of West Lancashire, including the towns of Burscough, Skelmersdale and Ormskirk fall under the West Lancashire constituency in the House of Commons, which has been represented by Labour Party MP Ashley Dalton since the 2023 West Lancashire by-election, whereas the north of West Lancashire falls under the South Ribble constituency, which has been represented by Conservative Party MP Katherine Fletcher since the 2019 general election.

{{Location map+|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire

|caption={{center|Towns and villages in West Lancashire}}

|float=right

|width=450

|places =

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.567|long=-2.887|label=Ormskirk|marksize=12|label_size=100|position=top}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.550|long=-2.774|label=Skelmersdale|marksize=12|label_size=100|position=right}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.622|long=-2.738|label=Andertons Mill|label_size=85|position=top}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.579|long=-2.721|label=Appley Bridge|label_size=85|position=right}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.538|long=-2.918|label=Aughton|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.681|long=-2.925|label=Banks|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.518|long=-2.836|label=Barrow Nook|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.575|long=-2.978|label=Barton|label_size=85|position=right}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.532|long=-2.838|label=Bickerstaffe|label_size=85|position=right}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.615|long=-2.773|label=Bispham Green|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.551|long=-2.818|label=Blaguegate|label_size=85|position=top}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.600|long=-2.845|label=Burscough|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.520|long=-2.754|label=Crawford|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.567|long=-2.763|label=Dalton|label_size=85|position=right}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.555|long=-2.960|label=Downholland Cross|label_size=85|position=right}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.550|long=-3.021|label=Great Altcar|label_size=85|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.585|long=-2.954|label=Halsall|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.565|long=-2.968|label=Haskayne|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.703|long=-2.841|label=Hesketh Bank|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.603|long=-2.765|label=Hilldale|label_size=85|position=right}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.668|long=-2.858|label=Holmes|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.645|long=-2.862|label=Holmeswood|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.695|long=-2.883|label=Hundred End|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.590|long=-2.820|label=Lathom|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.662|long=-2.882|label=Mere Brow|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.587|long=-2.782|label=Newburgh|label_size=85|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.593|long=-2.765|label=Parbold|label_size=85|position=right}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.560|long=-2.729|label=Roby Mill|label_size=85|position=right}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.633|long=-2.819|label=Rufford|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.613|long=-2.943|label=Scarisbrick|label_size=85|position=right}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.552|long=-2.863|label=Scarth Hill|label_size=85|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.608|long=-2.968|label=Shirdley Hill|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.505|long=-2.878|label=Simonswood|label_size=85|position=right}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.663|long=-2.826|label=Sollom|label_size=85|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.679|long=-2.832|label=Tarleton|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.620|long=-2.856|label=Tarlscough|label_size=85|position=left}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.541|long=-2.728|label=Upholland|label_size=85|position=bottom}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.562|long=-2.843|label=Westhead|label_size=85|position=top}}

{{Location map~|United Kingdom Borough of West Lancashire|lat=53.615|long=-2.703|label=Wrightington Bar|label_size=85|position=bottom}}

}}

Skelmersdale, a former New Town, and Ormskirk are the two main towns in the borough. These are surrounded by a patchwork of smaller settlements to the west and north.

{{-}}

File:Borough of West Lancashire parishes map.svg

There are 21 civil parishes in West Lancashire. The main towns of Skelmersdale and Ormskirk are unparished areas. There is a movement to establish a town council in Skelmersdale.{{cite web|url=https://www.skemtc.org.uk/SkemIndPty.htm|title=Skelmersdale Independent Party|publisher=Skelmersdale Independent Party|access-date=22 September 2020}} The parish council of Burscough takes the style "town council".{{cite web |title=Parish councils contact information |url=https://democracy.westlancs.gov.uk/mgParishCouncilDetailsList.aspx |website=West Lancashire Borough Council |access-date=28 June 2023}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=12em|

1. Aughton
2. Bickerstaffe
3. Bispham
4. Burscough
5. Dalton
6. Downholland
7. Great Altcar
8. Halsall
9. Hesketh-with-Becconsall
10. Hilldale
11. Lathom
12. Lathom South
13. Newburgh
14. North Meols
15. Parbold
16. Rufford
17. Scarisbrick
18. Simonswood
19. Tarleton
20. Up Holland
21. Wrightington

}}

All the civil parishes have a parish council, with the exception of Bispham, which has a parish meeting instead.

In terms of television, the area is served by BBC North West and ITV Granada broadcasting from the Winter Hill transmitter.{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Winter_Hill |title=Full Freeview on the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter |date=May 2004 |publisher=UK Free TV |access-date=23 April 2024}}

Radio stations for the area are:

• BBC Radio Lancashire
• BBC Radio Merseyside
• Heart North West
• Smooth North West
• Dune Radio
• Greatest Hits Radio Lancashire
• Central Radio North West
• Dune FM

Local newspaper is the Lancashire Telegraph.{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-nw/lancashire-telegraph/|title=Lancashire Telegraph|date=30 May 2014|website=British Papers|accessdate=23 April 2024}}

West Lancashire is twinned with:[https://www.westlancs.gov.uk/more/your-community/town-twinning.aspx West Lancashire Borough Council, Town Twinning] retrieved 21 January 2019

• Cergy-Pontoise, France
• Erkrath, Germany

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{NW_England}}

{{Lancashire}}

{{West Lancashire geography}}

{{West Lancashire culture and politics}}

{{West Lancashire buildings and structures}}

{{West Lancashire transport}}

{{coord|53.562|-2.827|display=title|region:GB_scale:20000}}

Category:Non-metropolitan districts of Lancashire

Category:Boroughs in England