Council - Wednesday 5 September 2007

Minutes from the meeting of Council - Wednesday 5 September 2007.

Present at the meeting:

The Mayor (Councillor J D O’Brien)
The Deputy Mayor (Councillor R Winkworth)
Councillor K Aldred
Councillor M Aldred
Councillor K Anderson
Councillor N D Ash
Councillor M Baines
Councillor J B Baldwin
Councillor S C Barnes
Councillor Mrs A Bennett
Councillor Mrs J Beswick
Councillor A M L Bland
Councillor R M Bleakley
Councillor Mrs B Bourne
Councillor B Bowen
Councillor G M Bretherton
Councillor H L Cadman
Councillor W Carney
Councillor R Clayton
Doctor Councillor C M Cottam
Councillor K Cunliffe
Councillor G Davies
Councillor R J Derricutt
Councillor M A Dewhurst
Councillor Mrs S Dewhurst
Councillor J Eccles-Churton
Councillor B J Fagan
Councillor L E Fagan
Councillor G A Fairhurst
Councillor I A Franzen
Councillor P R Franzen
Councillor J Haley
Councillor T W Halliwell
Councillor J Hilton
Councillor J D Hodgkinson
Councillor Ms P L Holland
Councillor E N Houlton
Councillor Mrs J Hurst
Councillor Mrs B Jarvis
Councillor M Klieve
Councillor Mrs S Loudon
Councillor K W McManus
Councillor B Merry
Councillor D T Molyneux
Councillor J Moodie
Councillor J A O’Neill
Councillor Mrs J Prescott
Councillor P Prescott
Councillor C Ready
Councillor C Rigby
Councillor A Robinson
Councillor W Rotherham
Councillor Mrs E Smethurst
Councillor P R C Smith
Councillor C Sweeney
Councillor J Talbot
Councillor Mrs A Turnock
Councillor P A Tushingham
Councillor F B Walker
Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside
Councillor N R Whittingham
Councillor G Wilkes
Councillor W J Wilkes
Councillor B M Wilson
Councillor M W Winstanley

38 Apologies for Absence: Councillors Mrs J S Birch, N A Bradbury, Mrs D Fairhurst, G W Fairhurst, J Miller, W S Simmons, R T Splaine and P Thompson.

39 Minutes: The minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 11 July 2007 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

40 Mayor’s Communications: (a) Death of Councillor James Francis Davies: The Chief Executive referred to the death on 21 August 2007 of Councillor James Francis Davies.

Jim Davies was first elected to the Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council in 2002, representing the Swinley Ward and later representing the Wigan Central Ward until the present day. During that time, he served on the Licensing, Planning (formerly Development Control), Overview and Scrutiny and Regulation Committees. Jim Davies leaves a former wife, two sons, Stuart and Tim and one daughter, Alison, and a grandson, Ben.

The Mayor stated that he had written to the family expressing the Council’s sadness at the news of their loss and a donation would be forwarded to the ‘Christie’s Appeal’ at the request of the family.

Members of the Council expressed their condolences in respect of Councillor James Francis Davies. All present stood for a moment as a mark of respect.

(b) Mayoral charity update: The Mayor advised that the total amount raised for the Mayor’s Charity was, to date, £10,425.88, with some money outstanding. The Mayor expressed his personal thanks for donations in memory of his wife, Hazel, which had totalled just over £3,000 (half of this money had been forwarded to Wigan and Leigh Hospice).

(c) Further issues (if any): There were no further issues.

41 Casual vacancies: (a) The Chief Executive reported the receipt of a letter of resignation dated 27 July 2007 from Councillor J Shaw and reported that a by election to fill the resulting casual vacancy for the Wigan West Ward had been arranged for Thursday 20 September 2007.

(b) The Chief Executive reported that, following the death of Councillor James Francis Davies, there was a casual vacancy for the Wigan Central Ward and that a by election had been arranged for Thursday 18 October 2007.

42 Outstanding business from last Council meeting: There was no outstanding business.

43 Interim appointment of Monitoring Officer: The Council considered a report dealing with the interim appointment of a Monitoring Officer under Section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, following the retirement of the former Monitoring Officer on 31 August 2007.

Resolved: Without prejudice to the making of a permanent appointment as part of the restructure following the Support Services review, the Council designates the current Deputy Director of Legal and Property Services as the Council’s interim Monitoring Officer.

44 Appointment of Honorary Aldermen: The Council considered a report containing a list of former Members. The Council was requested to consider the eligibility of each for appointment as an Honorary Alderman of this Borough based on criteria previously approved by the Council.

The Chairman of the Honorary Aldermen Nominations Committee, which had met earlier in the day, informed the Council that the Committee was proposing that, in recognition of the valuable service given to this Borough, the Council confers former Councillor B Jarvis with the title of Honorary Alderman.

Resolved: (1) The Council approves the holding of a special meeting of the Council at 7.00 p m on Wednesday 31 October 2007 for the purpose of formally conferring the title of Honorary Alderman to former Councillor B Jarvis, and agrees that Rule of Procedure 1.1 (iii) is suspended to allow the normal meeting of the Council previously fixed for 31 October 2007 to be held following the special meeting.

(2) The Council approves the provision of appropriate refreshments in the Mayor’s Parlour prior to the special meeting of the Council referred to in (1) above.

45 Policy and budget framework: (a) Licensing Act 2003 - licensing policy statement 2008-2010: Further to Cabinet minute 141, the Council considered a report setting out a revised licensing policy statement, which was required under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 after the operation of the existing policy for three years.

Resolved: The Council approves:-

the draft revised Licensing Policy Statement as the consultation document for the purposes of the Licensing Act 2003; and
the timetable for the consultation exercise and the submission of reports on the amended policy to Licensing Committee, Cabinet and Council as appropriate.

(b) Wigan and Leigh United Against Racism - anti-racism pledge: Further to Cabinet minute 121, the Council considered a report on the anti-racism pledge, prepared by Wigan and Leigh United Against Racism (WLUAR), which was intended to promote a positive image for the borough as a tolerant and open community and so provide reassurance to the minority community who lived, worked and studied here.

Resolved: The Council adopts the pledge as part of the policy framework.

(c) Remediation of Ince Central Estate: Further to Cabinet minute 130, the Council considered a report which sought approval for continuing remediation work on the Ince Central Estate at a financial risk to the Council until grant aid from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) was forthcoming. A letter from Defra setting out the current progress of the application for funding was attached to the report.

Resolved: The Council:-

approves budget release in the sum of £767,000 (capital resources) to undertake works for phase 8 of the Ince Central Estate remediation programme and amends the capital programme accordingly;
amends the budget framework to include provision for all remaining phases of this scheme; and
requests Ian McCartney MP to write to the Secretary of State highlighting the urgent need to provide the necessary funding to complete this scheme.

(Councillor M W Winstanley declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a member of Wigan and Leigh Housing appointed by the Council).

(d) Guidance for Members on Gifts and Hospitality: Further to Cabinet minute 99, the Council 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.

Resolved: The Council adopts the protocol now submitted.

(e) Building schools for the future – potential procurement partnership: Further to Cabinet minute 134, the Council considered a report on the progress of discussions with Salford City Council regarding a joint procurement process for building schools for the future in both authorities and sought approval for the next stage of the process.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Mrs S Loudon) requested the Council to agree to the following views of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee being taken into consideration during the next stage of the process:-

the decision making process must meet the interests of both Salford and Wigan Councils;
updates to be submitted to this Committee at key stages of the process;
cross party political support for the secondary schools review should be encouraged; and
the aim of the procurement process must be an excellent education system for Wigan.

Resolved: The Council:-

agrees to Wigan entering into a joint procurement process with Salford City Council to produce a joint local education partnership;
delegates authority to the Chief Executive to agree the terms of a memorandum of understanding with Salford City Council;
delegates authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Executive Leader and the Director of Finance and Information Technology, to agree an apportionment of the project costs with Salford City Council;
delegates authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Directors of Children and Young People’s Services, Legal and Property and Finance and Information Technology, to approve the necessary OJEU notice, procurement documentation and consultants’ appointments;
delegates authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Executive Leader, to approve the long list of bidders (ITPD stage) and the short list of bidders (ITCD stage) and the selection for the preferred bidder;
requests the Director of Finance and Information Technology to develop proposals to fund the development costs identified in paragraphs 1.4.5 and 1.4.6 of the report, initially for the period up to October 2009;
delegates authority to the Director of Children and Young People’s Services to finalise details of the programme team and to undertake the necessary recruitment and selection activities; and
takes into consideration during the next stage of the process the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as now reported.

(f) Further issues (if any): There were no further issues.

46 Constitutional Issues: (a) Changes in membership/appointment of Members to Committees/Panels (if any): The Council considered a report dealing with vacancies on Committee and Panels including that of the post of Vice Chairman of Licensing and Regulation Committees.

Resolved: (1) The Council notes the vacancies set out in the report now submitted following the resignation of former Councillor J Shaw and the death of Councillor James Francis Davies and appoints:-

Councillor P Prescott as Vice Chairman of Licensing and Regulation Committees;
Councillor Mrs S Loudon to serve on the Planning Committee;
Councillor Mrs J S Birch to serve on Licensing and Regulation Committees;
Councillor M Klieve to serve on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (creating a vacancy on Audit Governance and Improvement Review Committee).

(2) The Council notes that Councillor Mrs D Fairhurst has resigned from the Adult Services Panel.

(3) The Council agrees to future meetings of the Licensing and Regulation Committees being held on Wednesdays and not Fridays.

(b) Appointment of representatives on outside bodies 2007/08: The Council considered a report requesting the Council to appoint a nominated representative to the vacancies on a number of outside bodies during 2007/08. The report set out details of the nominations which had been received in respect of the vacancies.

It was moved and seconded: The Council makes the following appointments to outside bodies during 2007/08:-

Councillor J Hilton to the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (and to resign from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee);
Councillor W J Wilkes to Groundwork Lancashire West and Wigan;
Councillor B J Fagan to North West of England and Isle of Man Reserve Forces and Cadet association;
Councillor R J Derricutt to Cutacre Development Liaison Committee;
Councillor P R Franzen to John Rigby Board of Governors;
Councillors I A Franzen and P R Franzen and Mrs P Bellas to Wigan and Leigh College Board of Governors (two vacancies);
Mrs P Bellas to Wigan Foundation for Technical Education; and
Councillor I A Franzen to the Board of the Wigan Borough Partnership (minute 44(d))(ii) refers).

An amendment was moved and seconded: The Council makes the following appointments to outside bodies during 2007/08:-

Councillor J Hilton to the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (and to resign from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee);
Councillor Ms P L Holland to Groundwork Lancashire West and Wigan;
Councillor M Baines to Wigan Town Relief in need Charity;
Councillor B Bowen to North West of England and Isle of Man Reserve Forces and Cadet association;
Councillor M Dewhurst to Shopmobility;
Councillor R J Derricutt to Cutacre Development Liaison Committee;
Councillor R Winkworth to John Rigby Board of Governors;
Messrs F Costello and A Stephenson to Wigan and Leigh College Board of Governors; and
Councillor G Bretherton to Wigan Foundation for Technical Education.

On the amendment being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it carried. He then put the same as the substantive motion which he declared carried and it was

Resolved: The Council makes the following appointments to outside bodies during 2007/08:-

Councillor J Hilton to the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (and to resign from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee);
Councillor Ms P L Holland to Groundwork Lancashire West and Wigan;
Councillor M Baines to Wigan Town Relief in need Charity;
Councillor B Bowen to North West of England and Isle of Man Reserve Forces and Cadet association;
Councillor M Dewhurst to Shopmobility;
Councillor R J Derricutt to Cutacre Development Liaison Committee;
Councillor R Winkworth to John Rigby Board of Governors;
Messrs F Costello and A Stephenson to Wigan and Leigh College Board of Governors; and
Councillor G Bretherton to Wigan Foundation for Technical Education.

(c) Appointment of LEA Representative Governors: The Council considered a report which gave details of schools within the borough where appointments of Local Education Authority (LEA) Representative Governors were required. The report also set out details of nominations that had been received in respect of some of the vacancies.

Councillor B J Fagan made a comment on this item.

Resolved: The Council:-

approves the Local Education Authority Governor nominations as set out in the report now submitted; and
requests the Director of Children and Young People’s Services to advise the Local Authority appointed Governors of their terms of office as set out in the report.

(d)(i) Failure of a Local Authority Governor to complete Criminal Records Bureau checks: The Council considered a report detailing the failure of a school Governor appointed by the Local Education Authority to complete a Criminal Records Bureau check.

Resolved: The Council removes the school Governor referred to in the report now submitted as a Local Authority Governor in line with the Grounds for Disqualification from membership of a Governing Body (Statutory Instrument 2007 No 957 – School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2007 (Schedule 6, paragraph 11)).

(ii) Illness of Councillor W S Simmons: The Chief Executive reported the receipt of a letter from the Executive Leader requesting the Council to approve the reason of serious illness for the failure of Councillor W S Simmons to attend any meeting before the six month statutory period pursuant to Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Councillor P A Tushingham made a comment on this item.

Resolved: In accordance with Section 85 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council approves the reason for the failure of Councillor W S Simmons to attend meetings within the previous six month period, the reason being serious illness.

(e) Further issues (if any): There were no further issues.

47 Questions and Comments under rule 8(1)(b) in relation to the deliberations of the Cabinet, Committees and Panels:

Councillor B Merry asked a question on minute 92 of the meeting of Cabinet (Wigan and Leigh Housing performance 2006/07 and business plan 2007/10) of 26 July 2007.

(Councillor M W Winstanley declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a member of Wigan and Leigh Housing appointed by the Council).

Councillor B Merry asked a question on minute 100 of the meeting of Cabinet (Treasury management – first term interim report) of 26 July 2007.

Councillor R J Derricutt asked questions on minute 105 of the meeting of Cabinet (Adult Services service plan 2007/08) of 26 July 2007.

Councillor J D Hodgkinson asked a question on minute 107 of the meeting of Cabinet (ProCo NW) of 26 July 2007.

Councillor M W Winstanley made a comment on minute118 of the meeting of Cabinet (Policing public events) of 9 August 2007.

Councillor M W Winstanley asked a question on minute 125 of the meeting of Cabinet (GCSE results 2007) of 23 August 2007.

Councillor J D Hodgkinson asked questions and made a comment on minute 133 of the meeting of Cabinet (Heritage lottery fund (HLF) projects – Mesnes Park restoration project and history shop project) of 23 August 2007.

(Councillor J B Baldwin declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a member of the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust appointed by the Council).

Councillor G Wilkes made a comment on minute 145 of the meeting of Cabinet (Sandyforth Farm opencast phase 2 – 2007) of 23 August 2007.

The Executive Leader (Councillor P R C Smith) responded to the above-mentioned questions and comments.

Councillor R J Derricutt asked a question on minute 20 of the meeting of the Children and Young People’s Panel (ContactPoint draft guidance) of 19 July 2007, to which the Cabinet Champion for Children and Young People’s Services (Councillor B M Wilson) responded.

Councillor R J Derricutt asked a question on minute 22 of the meeting of the Community Protection Panel (Home information packs) of 23 July 2007 to which the Cabinet Champion for Neighbourhood (Councillor K Cunliffe) responded.

Councillor R M Bleakley made a comment on minute 18 of the meeting of the Environment Panel (Environmental Services interim service plan 2007/08) of 1 August 2007.

Councillor G Davies made a comment on minute 22 of the meeting of the Environment Panel (Questions by Members at Panel meetings) of 1 August 2007.

The Cabinet Champion for Environment (Councillor D T Molyneux) responded to the above-mentioned comments.

48 Questions (if any) under Rule 8 (1)(a): There were no questions.

49 Notices of Motion: The Chief Executive and the Deputy Director of Legal and Property Services submitted a joint report on the competence and lawfulness of the motions which had been received.

(1) Councillor K Cunliffe submitted the following motion, which was seconded:-

This Council fully supports the introduction of Neighbourhood Policing. This will provide a dedicated policing team for each ward in the Borough and, through the PACT’s that will be formed, provide an opportunity for elected members and their local communities to influence action. We believe these developments will ensure that neighbourhoods not only are safer but feel safer, and ask all councillors to fully participate constructively in these new processes.

Councillor B J Fagan moved the following amendment, which was seconded:-

On the amendment being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it lost.

Councillor B J Fagan, supported by 10 Members, requested that a recorded vote be taken, indicating the names for and against the amendment or abstaining from voting.

For the amendment (20): Councillors S C Barnes, Mrs J Beswick, Mrs A M L Bland, R M Bleakley , H L Cadman, W Carney, R J Derricutt, B J Fagan, L E Fagan, G A Fairhurst, I A Franzen, P R Franzen, J Haley, J D Hodgkinson, E N Houlton, B Merry, P A Tushingham, G Wilkes, W J Wilkes and M W Winstanley.

Against the amendment (38): The Mayor (CouncillorJ D O’Brien), The Deputy Mayor (Councillor R Winkworth), Councillors K Aldred, M Aldred, K Anderson, N D Ash, M Baines, J B Baldwin, Mrs A Bennett, B Bowen, G M Bretherton, Dr C M Cottam, K Cunliffe, G Davies, J Eccles-Churton, T W Halliwell, J Hilton, Ms P L Holland, Mrs J Hurst, M Klieve, Mrs S Loudon, D T Molyneux, J Moodie, J A O’Neill, Mrs J Prescott, P Prescott, C Ready, C Rigby, A Robinson, W Rotherham, Mrs E Smethurst, P R C Smith, C Sweeney, J Talbot, Mrs A Turnock, F B Walker, Mrs M J Whiteside and B M Wilson.

There abstained (2): Councillors R Clayton and N R Whittingham.

(Councillors Mrs B Bourne, M A Dewhurst, Mrs S Dewhurst, Mrs B Jarvis and K McManus were not present when the vote was taken).

The Mayor then put the original motion which he declared carried and it was

Resolved: This Council fully supports the introduction of Neighbourhood Policing. This will provide a dedicated policing team for each ward in the Borough and, through the PACT’s that will be formed, provide an opportunity for elected members and their local communities to influence action. We believe these developments will ensure that neighbourhoods not only are safer but feel safer, and ask all councillors to fully participate constructively in these new processes.

(2) It was moved by Councillor P R C Smith and seconded by Councillor J A O’Neill:-

In view of their similarity, the Council considers motions (2) and (3) on the Council Summons in a joint debate.

On the motion being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it carried and it was

Resolved: In view of their similarity, the Council considers motions (2) and (3) on the Council Summons in a joint debate.

At this point, Councillor P R Franzen withdrew motion (3) on the Council summons.

Councillor J Haley submitted the following motion, which was seconded:-

This Council notes with grave concern the significant factory closure programme announced by Remploy management on behalf of the government on the 22nd May 2007, which would result in the loss of jobs for thousands of highly skilled disabled workers. The Council further notes that Remploy jobs provide the opportunity to work with dignity and respect with trade union negotiated terms and conditions and that evidence clearly demonstrates that working class disabled people in mainstream employment are far more likely to be working at the lower end of the skill range.

I would like to thank David Smith for information of Wigan Councils commitment via Yorkshire Purchasing of £50,000.

The Independent Councillor Group calls on this Council to ask the Government to support the Wigan factory at Lamberhead Green and help this Factory and the people employed and stop closures and mergers until an independent review has been undertaken examining in full the opportunities to restructure and develop Remploy.

Councillor P R C Smith moved the following amendment, which was seconded:-

The Council notes with grave concern the proposed closure of the Remploy Factory in Pemberton, Wigan and requests the Chief Executive write to the relevant government department and Remploy expressing the Council’s concerns.

The Council notes that the proposals for the future of Remploy for greater integration of disabled workers in the wider economy have the support of RADAR and other bodies that represent people with disabilities and will involve the government subsidy increasing from £96 million to £111 million per year for the next 5 years. It believes that the plan should be implemented

protecting the rights of those working in sheltered workplaces without any compulsory redundancies;
supporting individual workers and employers to end discrimination; and
providing a range of opportunities for supporting individuals including social enterprise and self employment.

The Council applauds the efforts of the Wigan and Makerfield MPs in attempting to secure sufficient income to make the Wigan site viable through additional contracts, extended use of the Learning Centre, the involvement of the Council's Regeneration Officers, and exploring with the Director of Adult Services joint working with Metrolite Industries.

On the amendment being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it carried.

Councillor J Haley, supported by 10 Members, requested that a recorded vote be taken, indicating the names for and against the amendment or abstaining from voting.

For the amendment (41): The Mayor (CouncillorJ D O’Brien), The Deputy Mayor (Councillor R Winkworth), Councillors K Aldred, M Aldred, K Anderson, N D Ash, M Baines, J B Baldwin, Mrs A Bennett, Mrs B Bourne, B Bowen, G M Bretherton, Dr C M Cottam, K Cunliffe, G Davies, M A Dewhurst, J Eccles-Churton, T W Halliwell, J Hilton, Ms P L Holland, Mrs J Hurst, Mrs B Jarvis, M Klieve, Mrs S Loudon, D T Molyneux, J Moodie, J A O’Neill, Mrs J Prescott, P Prescott, C Ready, C Rigby, A Robinson, W Rotherham, Mrs E Smethurst, P R C Smith, C Sweeney, J Talbot, Mrs A Turnock, F B Walker, Mrs M J Whiteside and B M Wilson.

Against the amendment (21): Councillors S C Barnes, Mrs J Beswick, Mrs A M L Bland, R M Bleakley , H L Cadman, W Carney, R Clayton, R J Derricutt, B J Fagan, L E Fagan, I A Franzen, P R Franzen, J Haley, J D Hodgkinson, E N Houlton, B Merry, P A Tushingham, N R Whittingham, G Wilkes, W J Wilkes and M W Winstanley.

There abstained (1): Councillor G A Fairhurst.

(Councillors Mrs S Dewhurst and K McManus were not present when the vote was taken).

The Mayor then put the same as the substantive motion which he declared carried and it was

Resolved: The Council notes with grave concern the proposed closure of the Remploy Factory in Pemberton, Wigan and requests the Chief Executive write to the relevant government department and Remploy expressing the Council’s concerns.

protecting the rights of those working in sheltered workplaces without any compulsory redundancies;
supporting individual workers and employers to end discrimination; and
providing a range of opportunities for supporting individuals including social enterprise and self employment.

Councillor J Haley, supported by 10 Members, requested that a recorded vote be taken, indicating the names for and against the substantive motion or abstaining from voting.

For the substantive motion (50): The Mayor (CouncillorJ D O’Brien), The Deputy Mayor (Councillor R Winkworth), Councillors K Aldred, M Aldred, K Anderson, N D Ash, M Baines, J B Baldwin, Mrs A Bennett, Mrs A M L Bland, Mrs B Bourne, B Bowen, G M Bretherton, H L Cadman, R Clayton, Dr C M Cottam, K Cunliffe, G Davies, M A Dewhurst, J Eccles-Churton, J Haley, T W Halliwell, J Hilton, J D Hodgkinson, Ms P L Holland, Mrs J Hurst, Mrs B Jarvis, M Klieve, Mrs S Loudon, B Merry, D T Molyneux, J Moodie, J A O’Neill, Mrs J Prescott, P Prescott, C Ready, C Rigby, A Robinson, W Rotherham, Mrs E Smethurst, P R C Smith, C Sweeney, J Talbot, Mrs A Turnock, F B Walker, Mrs M J Whiteside, N R Whittingham, G Wilkes, B M Wilson and M W Winstanley.

Against the substantive motion (1): Councillor P R Franzen.

There abstained (12): Councillors S C Barnes, Mrs J Beswick, R M Bleakley, W Carney, R J Derricutt, G A Fairhurst, B J Fagan, L E Fagan, I A Franzen, E N Houlton, P A Tushingham and W Wilkes.

(Councillors Mrs S Dewhurst and K McManus were not present when the vote was taken).

(3) This motion had been withdrawn by Councillor P R Franzen.

The Mayor here declared that, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, referred to at Minute 142(b), the meeting had lasted for three hours and that all remaining business should now be put to the vote.

(4) Councillor P R Franzen submitted the following motion which was seconded:-

This Council deplores the present inadequate facilities for disabled people in the Borough of Wigan and instructs its Chief Executive to implement, as a matter of priority, the necessary measures to facilitate free and unimpeded access for disabled people to all Wigan Council Buildings, commencing with Wigan Town Hall.

On the motion being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it lost.

Councillor P R Franzen, supported by 10 Members, requested that a recorded vote be taken, indicating the names for and against the motion or abstaining from voting.

For the motion (12): Councillors S C Barnes, Mrs J Beswick, R M Bleakley , W Carney, R J Derricutt, B J Fagan, L E Fagan, I A Franzen, P R Franzen, E N Houlton, P A Tushingham and W J Wilkes.

Against the motion (41): The Mayor (CouncillorJ D O’Brien), The Deputy Mayor (Councillor R Winkworth), Councillors K Aldred, M Aldred, K Anderson, N D Ash, M Baines, J B Baldwin, Mrs A Bennett, Mrs B Bourne, B Bowen, G M Bretherton, Dr C M Cottam, K Cunliffe, G Davies, M A Dewhurst, J Eccles-Churton, T W Halliwell, J Hilton, Ms P L Holland, Mrs J Hurst, Mrs B Jarvis, M Klieve, Mrs S Loudon, D T Molyneux, J Moodie, J A O’Neill, Mrs J Prescott, P Prescott, C Ready, C Rigby, A Robinson, W Rotherham, Mrs E Smethurst, P R C Smith, C Sweeney, J Talbot, Mrs A Turnock, F B Walker, Mrs M J Whiteside and B M Wilson.

There abstained (10): Councillors Mrs A M L Bland, H L Cadman, R Clayton, G A Fairhurst, J Haley, J D Hodgkinson, B Merry, N R Whittingham, G Wilkes and M W Winstanley.

(Councillors Mrs S Dewhurst and K McManus were not present when the vote was taken).

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September 2007

Council - Wednesday 5 September 2007

Present at the meeting:

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