One of the most crucial - and possibly devisive - meetings in the short history of the borough council's being held next week.

It's the annual Council Meeting being held at the Chapel Gallery (aka the Ormskirk Arts House) at 7.30pm on Wednesday 19 May.

Normally it would be held in the council chamber but the new venue is considered more Covid secure; there is no word yet on who the next Mayor might be and that could also be on the agenda.

Labour lost overall control of the council after losing three seats in last week’s local elections.

So, while Labour retains 26 seats, the Conservatives gained a seat to bring their total up to 20, and Our West Lancashire (OWL) also gained a seat to bring their total up to seven. An Independent councillor won in Skem., too - the first non-Labour councillor elected in the town for decades.

It means Labour no longer has a majority and the ability to automatically form its own cabinet - instead, it must form an alliance with another party, attempt to run a minority leadership or form a cross-party working relationship.

Labour leader Councillor Ian Moran said the results were “disappointing but not unexpected taking into account the national picture.”

He added: “West Lancashire Labour group intends to continue if possible to lead and run this council in the best interests of its people and its residents.

“The next 12 months and beyond are going to be focused on rebuilding and strengthening our communities and our businesses post Covid.

“We look forward to realistic and serious suggestions and ideas from everyone.”

The leader of OWL, Councillor Adrian Owens, is calling for an all-party executive to run the local authority; before Thursday Labour had 29 seats on West Lancashire Borough Council, the Conservatives had 19 and Our West Lancashire had six.

OWL took the Burscough West seat from Labour. George Clandon was elected with 649 votes, Labour’s Andrew Pritchard was second with 507 votes. And the Conservatives gained the Halsall seat from Labour. The Conservative’s Denise Hirrell took 322 votes, and David Heywood (Labour) was second with 149 votes.