The Full Council will meet on the 10th July 2008.

The next scheduled meeting of the Lancashire Local – West Lancashire will be held at the West Lancashire District Council Offices, Derby Street, Ormskirk, on the 9th July 2008 at 7.00 pm.

The next meeting of the Development Control Committee will be held on Wednesday 2nd July 2008.

A SCHEME which has awarded thousands to groups in West Lancashire over the last year is calling for fresh applications.

ADULTS with learning disabilities from Whiteledge Day centre in Skelmersdale will be celebrating the grand opening of an innovative 'Multi Sensory Environment' room at an open day on Tuesday 16 June.

Several cases of sewage overflows have occurred in my area suggesting inadequate infrastructure. I attended a meeting with United Utilities at WLDC with other local councillors. I am particularly conscious of New Lane but there are problem areas in W.Lancs. I am pleased this is being taken seriously by West Lancs. District Council who are, together with partners, putting real pressure with U.U. and OFWAT who have to be convinced of the need for capital expenditure by U.U. to resolve matters. I really feel matters are progressing now but it will take time for things to happen on the ground.

LCC has taken over responsibility of this road from the Highways Agency in May 2008.It is hoped a backlog of road improvements can be addressed as liitle has been done due to the impending changeover.

County Cllr. Cropper gets £500 for computer equipment for the new Burscough U3A and £400 towards the new electronic scoreboard at Rufford Cricket Club.

Cllr. Cropper secures £18,500 scheme to resurface this lane from the Holmeswood Road junction to no71, Cousin's Lane through Lancashire Local funding.It will be done during the 2008/9 financial year.

C. Cllr.Cropper said "I am delighted to have been appointed an LEA Governor of the main secondary provider in my division.As Chairman of West Lancs District Council I attended the Awards Ceremony last year and was impressed with the results being achieved".

Cllr. William Cropper says " Susan and I have had a wonderful year which ended on May 21st, 2008".

Following the new Rail Interchange and the Tesco development, work on the A59 Improvement through the Town Centre and the Market Towns Initiative funding to bring facilities up to date in the Town Centre is underway.Whoever thought there would ever be a line of trees in the middle of town, complete with fairy lights! Discussions are continuing to try to resolve the Wharf Redevelopment. It's a question of "Watch this space" I am afraid.Linked in with this is improved parking provision in the Stanley Court area. I have attended the " Burscough Market Towns Initiative" Working Group recently and will keep up my involvement in 2008/9, improving Burscough still further.

Remedial works, prompted by accident records over the past 5 years, to be carried out in 2008/9 from the Beaufort Hotel to the Morris Dancers (Burscough and Scarisbrick).

LANCASHIRE County Council has joined force with Central Lancashire PCT, West Lancashire District Council and the voluntary sector in efforts to secure Government funding to develop a £20m Extra Care Housing scheme and Well-being centre for older people in Ormskirk, West Lancashire.

A host of local events will be taking place across West Lancashire to celebrate this year's national Carers Week which runs from 9 – 15 June.

TRAFFIC queues at the junction of Southport Road and County Road in Ormskirk, new road safety schemes and flooding at Holt Green will be discussed at the next meeting of Lancashire Local West Lancashire on Wednesday 4 June.

A PROJECT to help tackle climate change has been given the green light by Lancashire Local West Lancashire.

A GRANT from the Lancashire Local West Lancashire committee has set bowlers at Aughton Town Green Bowling Club on a roll for the season.

Work being done to safeguard local bus services and improve rail infrastructure and services.

The last Development Control Committee meeting was be held on Wednesday 21st May 2008. The only item in West Lancs.related the erection of boundary fencing at Elmers Green Primary School in Skelmersdale, which was granted.

Following the grant of Planning Permission by West Lancs District Council in 2007, the plan encompasses a link to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Scarisbrick Bridge on the A570,a new towpath bridge and a new building housing an office, reception and cafe.The aim is to finish in Autumn 2008 with extensive landscaping to finish off. The developer is Alan Mawdesley, owner of "Fettler's Wharf" in Rufford.

Serving also on the Resources and Appeals Committee and the Strategy Group sub-committees.

Since Nov 2007 I have undergone a certain amount of training about the service, and attended recently a "Passing Out Parade" of newly- trained Firefighters at the Lancashire International Training Centre at Euxton. The Fire and Rescue Service has progressively become a really professional outfit and there have been a raft of statistics recently showing service improvements, culminating in May 2008 of a very encouraging CPA Assessment carried out by the independent Audit Commission.

WEST Lancashire residents have had the opportunity to comment on the proposals for a new Ormskirk Bypass.

Conservatives gain seats in Burscough West and Upholland in West Lancashire from Labour. Other gains throughout Lancashire and beyond.

Planning Application on the West Lancashire District Council Planning Committee agenda on October 12th., 2006, deferred for a site visit to look at alternatine access arrangements and finally rejected. An appeal has been launched.

Cllr. Cropper called for a tidy -up of the grounds including the bowling green, as he felt it was not being kept up to standard. Indoor improvements have been announced for 2008. Residents seem happy with the outcome.

WEST Lancashire residents had a unique opportunity to scrutinise how their council tax is spent at a recent meeting.

A NEW bus map and guide for the West Lancashire area has been produced by Lancashire County Council.

Uses and value becoming apparent.

A thriving faith group based at St John’s Church in Burscough is helping people find ways of helping others through volunteering. Cllr. Cropper says "Well deserved and well done".

Cllr. Cropper has proposed the following : -
Holmeswood Village Hall, new 5-aside goalposts -- £300
Scarisbrick Village Hall, ramps for disabled. ---- £400
Lathom and Burscough Older Peoples Club,
dropped kerb for traffic access. ---- £300

The closure announced in early January will not now take place. The Friends of Kingswood (parents) have come to an arrangement with the owners whereby the school (now known as Kingswood College Trust) has a7year lease on the premises. This gives time for the Trust to either acqire new premises or purchase the existing premises . I was privileged to recently attend the "Reopening" and to witness the indomitable spirit that exists in parents and staff alike to keep the school going. Thus the 1st and 3rd. of my concerns is answered, but the 2nd. requires clarification.

Five years ago we were recycling only 7% of our household waste. In the 2006 - 2007 full year we achieved 38% and in the last quarter 46%. There have been problems along the way , but from what I have gleaned from other areas of Lancashire and indeed from our neighbours in Sefton, we have had far less than most. West Lancs. District Council have done well but could not have achieved what they have without the support and cooperation of the public. Well done everybody!

Treatment to improve the road surface in late 2006 was carried out. Results not entirely satisfactory.Site Meeting held promises some hope to resolve drainage problem.

A SPECIAL ‘Duck Link’ bus service is being provided by the West of Lancashire Community Rail Partnership to take birdwatchers to Martin Mere Wetland Centre while BBC Autumnwatch is filmed there during November.

Best described as a political seesaw !!

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