Councillor Anne Fennell elected new Mayor of West Lancashire

Following West Lancashire Borough Council's Annual meeting, Councillor Anne Fennell has been elected as the new Mayor of West Lancashire. 

Mayor Fennell, the Labour member for Ormskirk West, will represent the Borough at civic events while raising money for her chosen charity. Her Mayoress will be Councillor Sarah Lawton, Labour and Co-operative Party member for Aughton & Holborn. 

Mayor Fennell said: "Last year, as Deputy Mayor, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the great people of West Lancashire and witnessing their generosity of spirit and genuine dedication to their communities. 

“I am truly honoured and excited to now represent our wonderful borough as Mayor. I will continue to champion those people and groups who go above and beyond to support, strengthen and improve the places in which they live. I will also be working hard to raise money for my chosen charity, the North West Air Ambulance Charity. 

"I would like to thank the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Julian Finch, for his hard work and service to West Lancashire. His tenure as Mayor has been incredible with so many wonderful occasions elevated by his warmth and sense of civic pride.” 

Councillor Suresh Patel, the Labour member for Up Holland was also elected as the new Deputy Mayor. Councillor Patel’s Deputy Mayoress will be his wife, Mrs. Premvati Patel.  

West Lancashire Borough Council would like to extend our sincere thanks and best wishes to outgoing Mayor Councillor Julian Finch for his constant and committed service to West Lancashire and its people over the past year. 

During the meeting, Councillor Yvonne Gagen, the Labour and Co-operative member for Skelmersdale North, was once again confirmed elected as Leader of West Lancashire Borough Council, with Councillor Gareth Dowling, Labour and Co-operative member for Ormskirk West, again elected as Deputy Leader. 

Council noted the appointment of Councillor David Whittington, Conservative Group member for Rural North East, was confirmed as the Leader of the Conservative Group and Councillor Adrian Owens, Our West Lancashire (OWL) member for Rural South, as the Leader of the Our West Lancashire Group.    

The Council’s political balance now consists of 22 Labour (including 15 Labour and Co-operative) Councillors, 14 Conservative Councillors, six Our West Lancashire Councillors and three Independent Councillors.