Present at the meeting
- Councillor J A O’Neill (Cabinet Champion for Regeneration) (In the Chair)
- Councillor K Anderson (Cabinet Champion for Healthier Communities and Older People)
- Councillor B Baldwin (Cabinet Champion for Lifestyle)
- Councillor K Cunliffe (Cabinet Champion for Neighbourhood)
- Councillor D T Molyneux (Cabinet Champion for Environment)
- Councillor C Ready (Cabinet Champion for Equality)
- Councillor Mrs E Smethurst (Cabinet Champion for Improvement)
- Councillor B M Wilson (Cabinet Champion for Children and Young People)
87. Apologies: Councillors P R C Smith (Executive Leader) and T W Halliwell (Cabinet Champion for Organisational Change).
88. Nick Jarman: On behalf of the Cabinet, the Chairman extended a warm welcome to Mr Nick Jarman, the acting Director of Children and Young People’s Services.
89. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 28 June 2007 were approved as a correct record.
90. Exclusion of the public - section 100a Local Government Act 1972: Resolved: The public is excluded from the meeting when the Cabinet discusses the following items for the reasons set out below:-
| Agenda Item No. |
Title of report |
Minute No. |
Description of exempt information by reference to the paragraph number in schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 |
| E1 |
ProCo NW |
107 |
3 ( Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council ) |
| E2 |
Tendering of Domiciliary Care Contracts |
108 |
3 ( Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council ) |
| E3 |
Contractual Arrangements – Adult Services |
109 |
3 ( Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council ) |
| E4 |
Hindley Green Community Primary School |
110 |
3 ( Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council ) |
| E5 |
Learning platform tender |
111 |
3 ( Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council ) |
| E6 |
Selection of partners to help develop affordable housing bids to the Housing Corporation |
112 |
3 ( Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council ) |
| E7 |
Acceptance of tender over £150,000 for carriageway and pavement resurfacing works at Gloucester Crescent, Hindley |
113 |
3 ( Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council ) |
| E8 |
Resurfacing of rear and side alleyways - Platt Bridge renewal area - phase 1 |
114 |
3 ( Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council ) |
91. ContactPoint draft guidance : The Cabinet considered a report on the progress of this project (formerly known as the information sharing index). This would transform children’s services by supporting more effective prevention and early intervention between practitioners through a single source of information on each child. The report gave details of a consultation document on the details of the system and a suggested response. The Children and Young People’s Panel had endorsed the report (minute 20 refers).
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet accepts the report and approves the consultation response, subject to the inclusion of a suggestion that the names and addresses of children who are removed from ContactPoint at the age of 18 are notified to the Coordinated Online Record of Electors to ensure that they are included on the register of electors.
92. Wigan and Leigh Housing performance 2006/07 and business plan 2007/10 : The Cabinet considered a report on the performance of Wigan and Leigh Housing during 2006/07 and the company’s business plan 2007/10. The Community Protection Panel had endorsed the report (minute 23 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to accept the business plan as being in line with existing Council and Wigan and Leigh Housing Board expectations.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes t he performance of Wigan and Leigh Housing for 2006/07 and accepts the Wigan and Leigh Housing Business Plan 2007/10.
(Councillor C Ready declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Member of the Wigan and Leigh Housing Board).
93. Response to the Councillors Commission : The Cabinet considered a report setting out a response to the consultation on the work of the Councillors Commission. The Commission had been established to encourage people from all walks of life to become Councillors and to remove any impediments from them so doing. Members made some additional comments to be sent to the Commission.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet agrees the response now submitted and to the incorporation of the comments made by Cabinet Members.
94. Decision making model for primary schools 2007: The Cabinet considered a report on of the results of the assessment of all of the authority’s primary schools against the decision making model for 2007. The Children and Young People’s Panel had endorsed the report (minute 21 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to take action on those primary schools identified within the category ‘Urgent review of provision required’.
Resolved: The Cabinet requests the Director of Children and Young People’s Services to:-
- continue to monitor schools A, B, C and D and to bring recommendations to Cabinet as appropriate; and
- work with schools B and C to reduce surplus places where possible.
95. Children’s social care revenue budget monitoring as at 31 May 2007: The Cabinet considered a report on the budget monitoring position for children’s social care services as at 31 May 2007 .
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to recognise the volatile nature of a number of needs-led social care budgets, which required monthly monitoring to alert Members to potential problems at the earliest opportunity.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the content of the report, the robust budget monitoring and corrective actions being undertaken.
96. Treasury management – first interim report : The Cabinet considered a report on a review of the operation and exercise of delegated treasury management powers during the first three months of 2007/08. In addition, the report reviewed the credit rating of one of the organisations with which the Authority placed surplus funds .
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the report and removes HBOS plc from the approved investment list to be replaced by Bank of Scotland plc.
97. Location of keystage 2 Pupil Referral Unit: This item was withdrawn .
98. Comprehensive performance assessment – use of resources 2007 draft self assessment : The Cabinet considered a report on the draft self assessment for the use of resources in 2007 .
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet accepts the report and authorises the Director of Finance and Information Technology to complete the document by the submission deadline.
99. Guidance for Members on gifts and hospitality: The Cabinet considered a report on a protocol giving guidance to Members, Independent Members and Co-opted Members on their acceptance of gifts and hospitality, which was now a registerable and declarable interest under the code of conduct.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to offer Members some guidance on the issue.
Resolved: The Cabinet recommends the Council to adopt the protocol, subject to any comments from the Overview and Scrutiny and Standards Committees.
100. DfES funded computers for pupils: The Cabinet considered a report on the outcome of the tender evaluation process in respect of the government funded computers for pupils initiative, under which Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils who lived in the 10% most deprived areas and who were entitled to free school meals would have computers installed in their homes (with internet access provided) whilst they attended the school. The equipment would remain the property of the school and home/school agreements would be put in place by all schools to foster safe and appropriate use of the internet using this equipment.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- accepts the tender submitted by Stone Computers as set out in the report; and
- approves budget release in the sum of £487,000 (Standards fund capital grant for home computers) and amendment to the capital programme.
(Councillor D T Molyneux declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because his daughter is an employee of Hindley Community High School ).
101. Planning for a sustainable future - white paper: The Cabinet considered a report on the contents of the planning white paper for a sustainable future and its potential impact on the Council. The Planning Committee had endorsed the report (minute 17 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to inform Cabinet of the Government’s proposals for the planning system and to take advantage of the opportunity to contribute.
Resolved: The Cabinet delegates authority to the Director of Environmental Services, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Chair of Planning Committee, to respond to the white paper – planning for sustainable future, in advance of the deadline of 17 August 2007.
102. Township Community Safety Groups (TCSG) - revision to Chairs/Deputies and setting priorities for 2006/07: The Cabinet considered a report on revisions to the Chairs and Deputies of the TCSG; to determine priorities for each Group for 2007/08; and to report the performance on the 2006/07 programme. An updated version of the report was circulated at the meeting giving details of further appointments and priorities made. The Community Protection Panel had endorsed the report (minute 26 refers).
Councillor K Cunliffe (Cabinet Champion for Neighbourhood) stated that he had received an objection from Councillor Ms D Fairhurst regarding the Standish, Aspull and Shevington TCSG. He explained to Members the current agreed appointment process for the selection of TCSG chairs and deputies and recommended to Cabinet that the procedure for filling TSCG vacancies remain the same, despite Councillor Ms Fairhurst’s objection.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to accept the proposals received from the TCSG as falling within the framework agreed by Cabinet.
Resolved: The Cabinet approves:-
- the revisions for Chairs and Deputies for 2007/08;
- the retention of the existing arrangements for selecting TCSG chairs and deputies; and
- the 2007/08 priorities for the TCSG all as set out in the report.
103. Appraisal and extension of Church Lane conservation area, Shevington: The Cabinet considered a report on the results of a consultation of Church Lane, Shevington conservation area appraisal and a proposed extension to the conservation area boundary.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- adopts the Church Lane, Shevington conservation area appraisal and the principles of the management proposals;
- approves the extension of the Church Lane, Shevington conservation area under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as set out in the report; and
- recommends the Planning Committee to accept the Church Lane, Shevington conservation area appraisal, the principles of the management proposals and the extension of the conservation area as material considerations in the assessment of future planning applications.
104. Parks and green spaces strategy: The Cabinet considered a draft strategy for the management and development of those parks and green spaces that were managed by the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust on behalf of the Council .
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to use the proposed strategy to focus resources and achieve greater impact.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- approves the report and the draft vision statement now submitted;
- authorises the Officers to refer the report to each of the Township Forums so that it can be aligned to Township priorities; and
- requests the Officers to review the strategy in the light of the views expressed by the Forums before submitting it to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consultation and then to Cabinet and the Council for final approval.
(Councillors J B Baldwin and Mrs E Smethurst declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because they are Members of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust).
105. Adult Services service plan 2007/08: The Cabinet considered a report on the context and work programme of the Adult Services Department during 2007/08. The Adult Services Panel had endorsed the report (minute 18 refers).
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
In addition, the Director of Adult Services took the opportunity to report that the Council had been awarded a score of two stars (with promising prospects for the future) as a result of a recent Audit Commission inspection of the Council’s supporting people service.
Resolved: The Cabinet recommends the Council to approve t he Adult Services service plan 2007/08 now submitted as part of the policy framework and welcomes the announcement of the results of the recent inspection.
106. Proposed changes to Office for National Statistics (ONS) travel to work areas (TTWA): The Cabinet considered a report on proposed changes by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to the Travel to Work Area (TTWA) definitions and the potential implications for Wigan. This would result in the St Helens and Wigan TTWA being subsumed into the Liverpool TTWA and the report set out the disadvantages of this proposal.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes of the report.
107. ProCo NW (Minute 312 of XX 200X refers): The Cabinet considered a report on the writing off of debts to the Council in order to facilitate the takeover of ProCo NW by Wigan and Leigh College.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to achieve the greatest potential for retaining the training capacity of this organisation in the borough.
Resolved: The Cabinet , on the basis that Wigan and Leigh College will be taking over ProCo NW:-
- agrees to write off the outstanding rental payments of £60,000 in respect of the occupation of Hanley House by ProCo NW;
- agrees to write off the remainder of the initial loan to the company, which amounts to £30,000;
- notes that the outstanding contribution of £127,102 toward the cost of the upgrading works will not be forthcoming and that the remainder of this sum of £388,000 may also need to be written off; and
- notes that the contribution to the delapidations from ProCo NW will not be available in due course.
(Councillor J A O’Neill declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Director of ProCo NW. Councillor B M Wilson declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Governor of Wigan and Leigh College).
108.Tendering of domiciliary care contracts: The Cabinet considered a report on arrangements to ensure a smooth transition of services once the contracts for the domiciliary care service had been awarded.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to realise the cost benefits which could result from the tendering of these services.
Resolved: The Cabinet delegates power to:-
- accept tenders for domiciliary care services to the Director of Adult Services, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Information Technology; and
- extend the existing contractual arrangements with external domiciliary care providers on a weekly rolling basis until full implementation of services has been completed following award of contracts to the Director of Adult Services.
109. Contractual arrangements – adult services: The Cabinet considered a report on recommended action in relation to existing contracts held within adult services and proposals for new contracts to be established.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to recognise factors associated with service provision in 2008/09.
Resolved: The Cabinet agrees to :-
- extend and where proposed re-tender the existing contracts as outlined in appendix 1 of the report;
- commission additional services through the contract awarded to Paragon (UK) Limited as outlined in paragraphs 2.13 to 2.18 of the report;
- establish a series of framework agreements for each specialism as detailed in paragraphs 2.19 to 2.27 of the report and incorporating future commissioned services and existing spot purchase business; and
- explore an innovative model of care for services in the community as detailed in paragraphs 2.28 to 2.32 of the report.
110. Hindley Green Community Primary School : The Cabinet considered a report and form CPR1 on proposals to single site Hindley Green Community Primary School on the current infant part of the site, thus reducing the school site and enabling the sale of surplus land. This proposal would require the purchase of adjoining land and its development as playing fields to compensate for the loss of existing playing fields on the site. The Children and Young People’s Panel had endorsed the report (minute 24 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to address the significant condition and suitability issues operating in two buildings some distance from each other whilst recognising the shortcomings in using the Junior building site instead of the Infant building.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- authorises the Director of Legal and Property Services to enter into negotiations with a view to acquiring sufficient land located in the safeguarded land adjacent to the existing school in order to satisfy the requirement of Section 77 of the Schools Standards and Framework Act to form a sports pitch complex;
- declares surplus to the Council’s requirements the part of the existing school site not required for the proposal and authorises its disposal for residential development, subject to planning and Section 77 consent, terms of which will be reported back in due course;
- approves the single siting of the school on the infant part of the site using the capital receipt from the sale of the surplus land and the existing sum in the capital programme; and
- delegates approval of the negotiated agreed maximum price and budget release within the estimated budget of £4,700,000 to the Director of Children and Young People’s Services, in consultation with the Directors of Legal and Property Services and Finance and Information Technology.
111. Learning platform tender: The Cabinet considered a report and form CPR1 on the outcome of the tender evaluation process in respect of the learning platform tender, under which all of the authority’s schools would be able to connect to the proposed national digital infrastructure for schools .
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to o ffer the best value for money for schools.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- accepts the tender submitted by R M Education plc in the sum of £402,250; and
- approves budget release in the sum of £402,250 (national digital infrastructure grant) and amendment to the capital programme.
112. Selection of partners to help develop affordable housing bids to the Housing Corporation (minute 12 of May 2007 refers): The Cabinet considered a report on an assessment of bids from partners to help develop affordable housing bids to the Housing Corporation. The Community Protection Panel had endorsed the report (minute 29 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to select the partners considered to be the most appropriate.
Resolved: The Cabinet agrees to select bids to help develop affordable housing bids with the Housing Corporation as follows:-
- General needs housing: Adactus/Wigan and Leigh Housing
- Extra Care Housing for Older People: Arena
- Modifications/extensions to existing schemes: Adactus
(Councillor C Ready declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Member of the Wigan and Leigh Housing Board and left the meeting during its consideration).
113. Acceptance of tender over £150,000 for carriageway and pavement resurfacing works at Gloucester Crescent, Hindley: The Cabinet considered a report on tenders received for the abovementioned contract.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to accept the lowest tender.
Resolved: The Cabinet accepts t he tender submitted by Wigan Council highways direct labour organisation, being the lowest tender submitted in the sum of £159,633.78.
114. Resurfacing of rear and side alleyways - Platt Bridge renewal area - phase 1: The Cabinet considered a report and form CPR1 on the tenders received for the resurfacing of the rear and side alleyways in Phase 1 of the Platt Bridge renewal area.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- accepts the tender from George Cox & Sons Ltd, being the lowest received in the sum of £238,075.09;
- authorises the Highway Design Manager to issue variation orders for any unforeseen works totalling up to 10 per cent of the winning tender value;
- appoints Norfolk Property Services (NW) Ltd as the planning supervisor;
- authorises the Highway Design Manager to claim up to 10 per cent of the final contract value and Planning Supervisor fee in time charges for engineering consultancy; and
- grants budget release in the sum of £291,547 (Private sector housing grant) and amendment to the capital programme.
