- Councillor P R C Smith (Executive Leader)(In the Chair)
- Councillor K Anderson (Cabinet Champion for Healthier Communities and Older People)
- Councillor J B Baldwin (Cabinet Champion for Lifestyle)
- Councillor K Cunliffe (Cabinet Champion for Neighbourhood)
- Councillor J A O’Neill (Cabinet Champion for Regeneration)
- 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)
147 Apologies for absence: Councillors Councillor T W Halliwell (Cabinet Champion for Organisational Change) and D T Molyneux (Cabinet Champion for Environment).
148 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 23 August 2007 were approved as a correct record.
149 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 |
Bickershaw Colliery reclamation progress |
160 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council) |
| E2 |
Residential care staff terms and conditions |
161 |
4 (Information about any consultations or negotiations, or possible consultations or negotiations, about labour relations) |
| E3 |
Mosley Common St John’s Primary School |
162 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council)
|
| E4 |
Projected demand for primary school places in Tyldesley |
163 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council) |
| E5 |
Relocation of Oakfield High School |
164 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council) |
| E6 |
Implementation of review of provision for pupils with emotional, behavioural and social difficulties - property issues |
165 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council) |
| E7 |
Resurfacing of rear and side alleyways – Platt Bridge renewal area – phase 2 |
166 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council) |
| E8 |
Customer relationship management system procurement |
167 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council) |
| E9 |
Proposed disposal of land at Wigan Road, Standish (former Mere Oaks School) |
168 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council) |
150 Proposed expansion of Landgate School - outcome of statutory consultation (minute 8 of May 2007 refers): The Cabinet considered a report on the outcome of statutory consultation in relation to the expansion of Landgate School. The report referred to the statutory requirements for decisions on proposals such as this following the abolition of the School Organisation Committee. The Children and Young People’s Panel had endorsed the report (minute 35 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to proceed with this proposal in the light of the limited response to the consultation process.
Resolved: The Cabinet approves the statutory proposal to extend the school building at Landgate Lane, Bryn, to allow the school to cater for 70 pupils between the ages of 4 and 19 years, with effect from 1 September 2008.
151 Primary capital programme - consultation on draft strategy for change: The Cabinet considered a report on a proposal to consult schools, Diocesan Authorities and partners on the strategy for change for primary schools. The strategy would set out the Authority’s plan to transform primary school provision and, if approved by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, would secure additional capital funding over the next fifteen years to accomplish it. The Children and Young People’s Panel had endorsed the report (minute 32 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to maximise the funding available for primary school developments.
Resolved: The Cabinet requests the Director of Children and Young People’s Services to consult schools, Diocesan Authorities and partners on the draft strategy for change now submitted and to report the results to a future meeting of the Panel and Cabinet.
152 School admissions and Admissions Forum: The Cabinet considered a report on the strengthened role of the Local Authority regarding school admissions as introduced by the Education and Inspections Act 2006. The report set out a suggested revision to the membership of the Forum to address the new requirements. The Children and Young People’s Panel had endorsed the report (minute 30 refers).
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- notes the role of the Local Authority regarding school admissions;
- approves the reconstitution of the Admissions Forum;
- approves the core membership of the Forum set out in appendix c to the report, with the three local authority representatives being drawn from the majority party (2) and the opposition (1);
- approves the methodology for dealing with schools’ membership of the Forum as set out in paragraph 4.2 of the report; and
- requests the Director of Children and Young People’s Services to invite nominations for core membership to the Admissions Forum by October 2007.
153 Local government finance formula grant distribution – consultation paper: The Cabinet considered a report on the Department for Communities and Local Government’s (DCLG) proposals to update and modify the current formula grant distribution system and a suggested response to the consultation exercise.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to choose options that were most beneficial to Wigan taxpayers.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the report and agrees the response to DCLG as set out in annex 2.
154 Local democracy week 2007: The Cabinet considered a report on proposed local arrangements and activities for local democracy week (15 – 21 October 2007).
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet endorses the proposed programme and delegates power to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Executive Leader, to arrange an external venue for the Cabinet meeting on 18 October 2007 that could be attended by College students.
155 Management and governance arrangements for Hindley and Tyldesley Children's Centres: The Cabinet considered a report on proposed changes to the management and governance of Hindley and Tyldesley Children’s Centres.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- endorses the proposal to transfer Hindley Children’s Centre for management and governance purposes to the governing body of Hindley SureStart Nursery; and
- delegates authority to the Director of Children and Young People’s Services to put in place appropriate management and governance arrangements for Tyldesley Children’s Centre.
(Councillor B M Wilson declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Governor at Tyldesley Primary School and Tyldesley Fred Longworth High School).
156 School working pattern 2009/10: The Cabinet considered a report on the recommendations of the School Working Pattern Consultation Group on a school working pattern for 2009/10. The Children and Young People’s 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 follow the established format of school working.
Resolved: The Cabinet approves the school working pattern 2009/10 set out in the report.
157 Land at Wilding Street, Ince – revised development brief (minute 276 of November 2005 refers): The Cabinet considered a report on a revised development brief for the development of the abovementioned site. The Planning Committee had endorsed the report (minute 34 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to add community facilities on the site through an element of residential use to enable developers to provide community facilities at no cost to the Council. This would be achieved by utilising regeneration grant funding. The provision of a community facility in this area was a commitment to the community through the regeneration fund and, in order to secure the grant funding, community facilities should be provided within the area.
Resolved: The Cabinet approves the revised development brief for inclusion within the sales particulars.
158 Wigan local development framework - adoption of development and air quality supplementary planning document: The Cabinet considered a report on the outcome of the public consultation exercise for the “development and air quality” supplementary planning document and amendments considered necessary as a consequence.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to comply with the Council’s local development scheme and to make an appropriate response to the community involvement process that had been undertaken.
Resolved: The Cabinet endorses the recommendations for amendments to the supplementary planning document “development and air quality” accordingly and approves the document as a local development document.
159 Adult Services budget monitoring 2007/08 (period 4): The Cabinet considered a report on the budget monitoring position for Adult Services after the first four months of 2007/08 and the budgetary issues that needed to be addressed during the remainder of the year.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet accepts the report.
160 Bickershaw Colliery reclamation progress (minute 195 of October 2006 refers): The Cabinet considered a report on current progress on the implementation of the two major reclamation projects at the former Bickershaw Colliery as follows:-
- addressing traffic generation from the development of Bickershaw South;
- the appointment of the consultancy team for the development;
- changes required to the masterplan and a planning application;
- the merits of using coal extraction to assist in the reclamation of part of Bickershaw North; and
- the long-term management arrangements for Bickershaw North.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to ensure that the development proceeded.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- accepts the report;
- authorises the Officers to examine the external infrastructure (and its funding) needed to implement the two projects and the principle of compulsory purchase if necessary;
- agrees to the submission of a first phase planning application to cover early landscape works and the construction of the access road at Bickershaw North;
- confirms the appointment of the following consultants:
- Scott Wilson – Project Manager
- FCPR – Landscape Architect
- Mc Reanor Lavington – Architect
- Scott Wilson – Engineer
- Theobald Gardiner – Cost Consultant
- Savills – Commercial Consultant
- Groundwork Wigan and West Lancs – Community Engagement
- TNEI/MKC – Wind Consultant
- Geotechnics – Ground Investigation
- authorises the Director of Environmental Services to employ Groundwork Wigan and Lancashire West without a tender process;
- agrees the principles of the up dated masterplan and to the undertaking of a consultation exercise;
- agrees the principle of coal extraction as a means of site reclamation, subject to securing planning permission and a further report on the terms agreed for the operation; and
- agrees to undertake negotiations with the Land Restoration Trust about the future ownership of the site and the role of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust in the management of the Bickershaw Country Park site.
(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).
161 Residential care staff terms and conditions (minute 167 of September 2006 refers): The Cabinet considered a report on proposed changes to terms and conditions relating to sleep-in payments for staff in Adult Services and Children and Young People’s Services Departments.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to ensure value for money by ceasing to pay for sleep-ins when they were not undertaken. i.e. during periods of sickness and leave.
Resolved: The Cabinet accepts the recommendations and proposals contained within this report.
162 Mosley Common St John’s Primary School: The Cabinet considered a report on tenders received for the provision of a nursery and activity space at the abovementioned school.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- accepts the tender submitted by Wernick Building Limited in the sum of £449,860,00, being the lowest tender received; and
- grants budget release in the sum of £489,148 (SureStart capital grant) and amendment to the capital programme.
163 Projected demand for primary school places in Tyldesley (minute 61 refers): The Cabinet considered a report on the primary school roll projections for the Tyldesley area, which indicated the need for additional school places to meet demand. The report set out the options available to make this additional provision. The Children and Young People’s Panel had endorsed the report (minute 38 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to meet the perceived demand in the most cost effective way.
Resolved: The Cabinet requests the Director of Children and Young People’s Services to consult Tyldesley Primary School and the local community about the proposed temporary increase in the admission number from 30 to 45 for 2009/10 and 2010/11, and to submit a further report on the outcome of the consultation to a future meeting of the Panel and Cabinet.
(Councillor B M Wilson declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Governor at Tyldesley Primary School).
164 Relocation of Oakfield High School (minute 319 of January 2007 refers): The Cabinet considered a report and form CPR1 on the agreed maximum price and budget release required for the relocation of Oakfield High School to the vacant Hollins Primary School, Hindley Green.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to obviate any delay in the project and to take advantage of procurement.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- accepts the agreed maximum price negotiated with the partner constructor Carefoot plc in the sum of £4,619,708; and
- grants budget release in the sum of £5,262,470 (£2,222,400 modernisation £62,470 school contribution £2,977,600 capital receipts) and amendment to the capital programme.
165 Implementation of review of provision for pupils with emotional, behavioural and social difficulties (ESBD) - property issues (minute 252 of November 2006 refers): The Cabinet considered a report on a change in the way current proposals would deliver EBSD provision in respect to the location of a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU). This would mean the transfer of this facility from the former Leigh Our Lady of the Rosary RC Primary School to the former Shakerley CE Primary School. In addition, the opportunity would be taken to provide better office accommodation for staff in the Department of Children and Young People’s Services, currently located at Atherton Town Hall.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to satisfy location, size, availability and costs.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- authorises the Deputy Director of Legal and Property Services to acquire Shakerley CE Primary School and site from Manchester CE Diocese using delegated powers;
- agrees to modify Shakerley CE Primary School for use as a Key stage 3/4 PRU in preference to Our Lady of the Rosary;
- authorises the Officers to demolish Our Lady of the Rosary and to clear the site for future development; and
- authorises the Deputy Director of Legal and Property Services to enter into negotiations with Liverpool Archdiocese to remove the covenant limiting the use of the site of Our Lady of the Rosary to educational purposes.
166 Resurfacing of rear and side alleyways – Platt Bridge renewal area – phase 2: The Cabinet considered a report and form CPR1 on tenders received for the resurfacing of the rear and side alleyways in Phase 2 of the Platt Bridge renewal area.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet
- accepts the tender submitted by Dowhigh Ltd in the sum of £227,370.83, being the lowest tender received, subject to a satisfactory pre-contract meeting;
- authorises the Highway Design Manager to issue variation orders for any unforeseen works within the 10 per cent contingency amount already included in the winning tender value;
- appoints Norfolk Property Services (NW) Ltd as the planning supervisor for a fee of £3,894;
- 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
- approves budget release in the sum of £254,391 (Private sector housing capital programme) and amendment to the capital programme.
167 Customer relationship management system procurement (minute 21 of May 2007 refers): The Cabinet considered a report on the tender evaluation process in respect of the proposed customer relationship management system.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to ensure that the Joint Service Centre operated as intended with a joined up profile of the citizen.
Resolved: The Cabinet accepts the tender submitted by Northgate Information Solutions (UK) Limited in the sum of £293,750, with the cost being met from the IT investment account.
168 Proposed disposal of land at Wigan Road, Standish (former Mere Oaks School)(minute 466 of March 2006 refers): The Cabinet considered a report on the tenders received for the purchase of the abovementioned site for residential development. In September 2006 (minute 182 refers), the Cabinet had authorised negotiations with two adjoining landowners to market their site jointly. However, since then the Director of Environmental Services had expressed the opinion that their site was considered to be greenfield and would be unlikely to obtain planning consent under current policy. This part of the proposal had not proceeded and a 1 metre wide strip of land along the southern boundary of the Council’s site would be retained requiring any developer to acquire it to gain access to the adjoining site in the event that planning policy changed. Under the terms of the tender, developers were required to make provision for potential future development of the adjacent site by providing a road up to the Council’s retained strip where it adjoined the site.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- accepts the tender from Newfield Construction (t/a Newfield Jones Homes) on the terms and conditions set out in the report, being the highest bid received; and
- agrees to hold in reserve the next three highest bids from Wainhomes Developments Ltd, Dorbcrest Homes Ltd and Chelford Properties Ltd, subject to the issue of conditions referred to in the report being agreed.
