Present at the Meeting
- Councillor D T Molyneux (Cabinet Champion) (In the Chair)
- Councillor Mrs J Prescott
- Councillor P Prescott
- Councillor N D Ash
- Councillor W Rotherham
- Councillor Mrs J S Birch
- Councillor G Wilkes
- Councillor R Clayton
- Councillor W J Wilkes
- Councillor G Davies
- Mr J Healen (Co-opted Member)
- Councillor J Haley
- Mr D McQueen (Co-opted Member)
1. Welcome to new Members: The Chairman, on behalf of the Panel, extended a warm welcome to Councillor Mrs J Prescott and Mr D McQueen (Co-opted Member from Groundwork Lancashire West and Wigan), new Members of the Panel.
2. Apology for absence : Councillor E N Houlton.
3. Minutes : The minutes of the meeting of this Panel held on 21 March 2007 were approved as correct.
4. Local development framework update: Wigan retail and leisure study, sustainability appraisal scoping report and next steps: The Panel received a presentation from Mr Stephen Hyland of White Green Young on the findings of the Wigan retail and leisure study which had been undertaken to establish the need for new retail and leisure development in the borough. Due to the Panel’s interest in this item, it was agreed that a copy of the presentation from White Green Young be sent to all Members of the Council for information.
The Panel considered a report informing Members of the objectives and criteria within the sustainability appraisal scoping report which would enable the Council to ensure that the policies and proposals in the local development framework were sustainable and should be well received by the Environment Agency, Natural England and English Heritage.
Members were updated on the next steps in preparing the Wigan local development framework. A number of studies were in progress to inform the evidence base required to identify options for addressing the issues. There would be wide-ranging community and stakeholder engagement in autumn and winter 2007.
The Panel asked questions to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted and thanks White Green Young for the presentation.
(Councillor J Haley declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is employed by Somerfield supermarket).
5. Alterations to sites of biological importance register: The Panel considered a report that had been submitted to Planning Committee, updating Members on the amendments which had been made to the register of the sites of biological importance. All the changes had occurred since the proposals map for the draft Unitary Development Plan was compiled and would be maintained as a separate file until the plan review.
The Planning Committee at Minute 4 had noted the amendments to the register.
The Panel asked questions to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the amendments to the register of the sites of biological importance as now reported.
7. Adoption of streets and highway drains: The Panel considered a report advising Members of the Director of Environmental Services’ approval to the adoption of streets.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
8. Planning and Regeneration service plan monitoring quarter 4 2006/07: The Panel considered a report, which was to be submitted to Regeneration Panel, advising Members of the Planning and Regeneration Department’s service plan monitoring for the fourth quarter of 2006/07. The monitoring reports allowed the Department to proactively monitor its performance and manage issues throughout the year.
The Panel asked questions to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
9. Public toilet survey report – Princess Road, Ashton: The Panel considered a report informing Members of the findings associated with undertaking a condition survey of the public toilet facilities in Princess Road, Ashton. Members were advised of the action taken to date and the opportunities to roll out future improvements to other town centre facilities across the borough.
Councillor N D Ash thanked the Director of Environment Services for the significant improvements that had been made to the condition of the public conveniences at Princess Road, Ashton.
The Panel asked questions to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel:
- notes the report now submitted; and
- supports the proposals to roll out future improvements within existing financial resources.
10. Sustainability study tour: The Panel considered a report informing Members of a proposal from English Partnerships to visit examples of sustainability best practice with the intention of the applying lessons learned to the Bickershaw Colliery and Northleigh sites within the National Coalfields Programme.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
11. Questions raised by Members at the panel meeting :
Councillor G Davies raised the following written question (circulated at the meeting) to which the Director of Environmental Services responded:
‘We are undertaking a 20 mile per hour speed restriction around our schools. Which schools are going to be affected by this proposal this year and will St Marie’s at Avondale Street, Standish be one of them? Is there a full programme of works available?’
Councillor J Haley raised questions at the meeting regarding the distribution of green bins, to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Councillor N D Ash raised a question at the meeting regarding the collection of green waste that had been placed in black bins, to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Councillor Mrs J Prescott raised a question at the meeting regarding compost bins, to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Councillor G Davies requested clarification of the Council’s waste strategy, to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Mr D McQueen raised a question regarding domestic food waste, to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Councillor R Clayton raised a question regarding the Council’s policy on the incineration of refuse, to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the questions raised and the responses submitted.
