Council Annual Report highlights a year of progress for West Lancashire
West Lancashire Borough Council has published its Annual Report for 2025/26, highlighting the work carried out over the past year to support residents, improve communities and invest in the future of the Borough.
The Annual Report, presented to elected members at a meeting of full Council last night, also outlines how the Council is working towards its four priorities: creating a clean and environmentally sustainable Borough, generating prosperity, supporting healthy and inclusive communities and maintaining a resilient and financially sustainable Council.
The Annual Report highlights a year of strong progress across West Lancashire, with significant investment in Council housing, environmental improvements and support for residents and communities.
Over the past year, the Council invested more than £10 million in its housing stock to improve the quality, safety and energy efficiency of Council homes, while securing a further £1.4 million in government funding to support temporary accommodation and future affordable housing development. The Council also achieved the highest C1 consumer standards rating from the Regulator of Social Housing.
Environmental achievements included the successful introduction of weekly food waste collections to more than 50,000 households, the planting of 700 trees, and continued investment in renewable energy projects. Solar panels installed on Council homes generated more than one million kWh of electricity during the year, helping to save over 200 tonnes of CO₂e.
Supporting residents remained a key priority, with 3,630 people receiving assistance through the Household Support Fund and money advice services helping residents secure more than £1.27 million in additional income.
The Council also delivered £4.63 million of UK Shared Prosperity Fund investment, supporting community projects, health and wellbeing initiatives, business growth, local employment opportunities and regeneration activity across the Borough.
The report also highlights progress on regeneration projects designed to boost the local economy, create jobs and attract investment into West Lancashire. These include plans for Skelmersdale Town Centre, the delivery of new affordable homes and the £14 million Evergreen Business Park development near Junction 4 of the M58, which will provide 100,000 square feet of employment space and create an estimated 125 jobs.
The Council additionally allocated approximately £1.3m of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding to support community and infrastructure improvements. Projects include the Long Hey Kickabout Area in Skelmersdale, Ormskirk town centre access and Clock Tower improvements, Burscough to Parbold towpath enhancements and upgrades to recreation and community facilities in Rufford and surrounding rural areas.
Councillor David Whittington, Leader of West Lancashire Borough Council, said:
"This report shows the difference our services make to people's lives every day.
"Despite the challenges facing local government, the Council has continued to invest in communities, support residents when they need us most and deliver improvements across the Borough.
"There is still more to do, but we are proud of what has been achieved over the last year and remain focused on building a stronger, greener and more prosperous West Lancashire."
You can read West Lancashire Borough Council’s full annual report here: https://letstalkwestlancashire.uk.engagementhq.com/west-lancashire-borough-council-annual-report-2025-2026
