Present at the Meeting
- Councillor Mrs S J Birch (Chairman)
- Councillor Mrs B Bourne
- Councillor Mrs S Loudon
- Councillor Mr R Splaine
- Councillor Mr H Cadman
- Councillor Mr M Klieve
.1 Apologies for absence: Councillor Mr P Tushingham
.2 Minutes of last meeting: Checked and agreed as correct
.3 Participatory Budgeting (PB): Mr J Hall and Ms L Shaw from the PB unit attended the meeting to give a presentation and show a video on Participatory Budgeting. The presentation gave an overview of the techniques and methods for PB and the video showed an example of how they had successfully used PB in the grant bidding process at Bradford Council. Copies of the presentation are available and further information can be found on PB website.
Members of the Select Committee asked a number of questions about the practical implementation of a PB approach. The Select Committee also reflected on individual examples of how we are using the principles in local areas of Wigan already. Concerns were raised about how we manage local engagement and involvement in decision making as well as our statutory requirements. Mr J Hall reflected that PB is very much in its infancy in the UK and currently deals with grant funding predominantly. The potential to mainstream and how that could be done would need detailed thought and planning and a review of the constitutional framework.
.4 Timetable and Plan for future meetings and visits to other authorities: Mrs L Roberts had sent round a calendar for everyone to fill in with dates they are free for both full day visits and evening meetings. It was agreed that the next meeting would take place on Monday 26 November at 6pm in committee room B at Wigan Town Hall. The best week for the majority of people was week commencing 19 November Rec: Mrs L Roberts will try to arrange the visits for Monday & Tuesday of that week and will give everyone as much notice as possible.
