Decision details

The Chair welcomed County Councillor Nikki Hennessy; Cathryn Jackson, West Lancashire Borough Council; and Colin Brady, West Lancashire Borough Council to the meeting to present the report on the market town strategy for Ormskirk.

Members were informed that in November 2016 the Corporate and Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Committee of West Lancashire Borough Council completed a review entitled 'A Market Town Strategy for Ormskirk'.

In undertaking the review the Corporate and Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Committee looked at various themed topics that comprised:

·  The market

·  Car parking

·  The environment and special features

·  Leisure and the night-time economy

·  Technology and marketing (including tourism) and

·  The contribution of Edge Hill University as part of the work being undertaken in relation to the Ormskirk Town Strategy.

During the course of the review the Committee held cross party workshops to obtain the wider views of Members and gain an ongoing insight into the progression of the work, particularly related to Ormskirk Town Centre. The strategy had taken two years to complete.

The Committee produced a number of recommendations, one of which was that the County Council's Scrutiny Committee received a copy of the final report. Discussions had taken place with County Councillor John Fillis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, about the recommendations and he had agreed that things could progress.

Questions and comments by the Committee in relation to the report were as follows:

·  Due to the pedestrianisation of Ormskirk town centre, Members commented the Traffic Regulation Orders needed to be sorted out.

·  There had been an improvement in the night time economy of the town centre.

·  As Ormskirk was a historical market town it was vital that there was a better parking area for coaches bringing visitors to the town.

·  It was noted that the discipline of the layout of the market stalls had not been good over the years. Many of them overflowed and caused problems with congestion for pedestrians.

·  The Committee was informed that West Lancashire Borough Council was looking at implementing an Ormskirk website to include all information in one portal. A footfall monitor had also been installed in the town centre which provided data on the number of people entering the town centre.

·  West Lancashire Borough Council had worked with other partners and consultants on how to brand Ormskirk. The brand had been agreed with councillors and was being rolled out. The Council was looking at the vision of Ormskirk in 10 to 20 years' time.

·  Consultations had been held with town centre businesses about no access to the centre between 10:00am and 4:00pm. No serious concerns were raised as business stated they could work around these times.

·  Ormskirk was a compact town and the car parks were very close to the town centre and had free parking for disabled people with close, easy access to the town centre. Consultations had been held with disability groups, West Lancashire Borough Council had took on their views and there had been no adverse comments.

·  It was noted that one problem for Ormskirk was the lack of accommodation. West Lancashire Borough Council was involved in a project with Marketing Lancashire around the problem of hospitality.

·  The Leeds Liverpool canal was close to Ormskirk centre. More buses could be provided for canal users wishing to visit the town centre.

·  LCC should be more proactive in promoting regional areas and encourage regional development.

·  The Committee welcomed the strategy and requested more feedback. The overall feeling was any redevelopment in any area was a bonus. Town centres had to be progressed and re-energised.

Resolved: The Scrutiny Committee fed back its comments and supported the recommendations contained within the report.