Present at the meeting:
- Councillor P R C Smith (Executive Leader)
- Councillor J B Baldwin (Cabinet Champion for Lifestyle)
- Councillor K Cunliffe (Cabinet Champion for Neighbourhood)
- Councillor T W Halliwell (Cabinet Champion for Organisational Change)
- Councillor D T Molyneux (Cabinet Champion for Environment)
- Councillor J A O’Neill (Cabinet Champion for Regeneration)
- Councillor C Ready (Cabinet Champion for Equality)
- Councillor B M Wilson (Cabinet Champion for Children and Young People)
258 Apologies for absence: Councillors K Anderson (Cabinet Champion for Healthier Communities and Older People) and Mrs E Smethurst (Cabinet Champion for Improvement).
259 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 13 December 2007 were approved as a correct record.
260 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 |
Bryn St Peter's Children's Centre |
276 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council) |
| E2 |
New Pupil Referral Unit, St Stephen’s CE School site - agreed maximum price |
277 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council) |
| E3 |
Bickershaw Country Park |
278 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council) |
| E4 |
Approval for acceptance of tenders: A49 Warrington Road on-line improvement scheme |
279 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council) |
| E5 |
Building maintenance partnering contract extension including the service contracts |
280 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council) |
261 Reference from Council: The Chief Executive reported that, at its last meeting (minute 74 refers), the Council had referred the following motions to Cabinet for consideration and report back:-
(13) That this Council considers when a Member asks a pre-submitted question, besides being given a verbal reply, they also receive a written reply in due course. (Submitted by Councillor J D Hodgkinson.)
(15) This Council believes that Enhanced Disclosure Checks, carried out by the Criminal Records Bureau, should be compulsory for all Elected Members in this Borough. This sends out a clear message to the general public that all 75 Councillors from Wigan Metro have been CRB checked and are suitable to work with young children or vulnerable adults. (Submitted by Councillor G Wilkes.)
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- agrees that a member asking a pre-submitted question will receive a written reply where considered appropriate in addition to a verbal reply; and
- requests the Deputy Director of Legal and Property Services to submit a report to the next meeting on the options for CRB checks on Members.
262 Consultation on the new comprehensive area assessment (CAA): The Chief Executive gave a presentation on a joint consultation document issued by the Audit Commission, Commission for Social Care Inspection, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, HM Inspectorate of Prisons, HM Inspectorate of Probation and Ofsted for the first joint inspectorate consultation on the CAA. This invited views on proposals for the overall shape and scope of CAA. The aim of the proposals was to provide a holistic, independent assessment of the prospects for local areas and the quality of life for people living within them. This should place the experience of citizens, people who use services and local tax payers at the centre of the new local assessment framework, with a particular focus on the needs of those whose circumstances made them vulnerable.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet endorses the comments now made by Members and requests the Chief Executive to submit them in response to the proposals.
263 Proposal to temporarily extend Tyldesley Primary School (minute 163 refers): The Cabinet considered a report on the results of the consultation on the proposal to temporarily extend Tyldesley Primary School and the responses to the points made. The Children and Young People’s Panel had endorsed the report (minute 56 refers), subject to a further option raised by Members to be explored and reported at the next meeting of Cabinet. This related to St Johns’ Mosley Common adopting mixed age teaching in key stage 2, thus releasing a classroom to allow a two form entry intake in 2009 and the Director of Children and Young People’s Services circulated at the meeting an addendum to the report setting out his observations on this alternative proposal.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to address in the most efficient way a projected surge in primary school numbers in Tyldesley during 2009/10 and 2010/11.
Resolved: The Cabinet accepts the report and requests the Director of Children and Young People’s Services to publish statutory notices to extend Tyldesley Primary School and to increase the admission number from 30 to 45 for 2009/10 and 2010/11 only.
(Councillor B M Wilson declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Governor of Tyldesley Primary School).
264 Review of provision and use of resourced schools: outcome of statutory consultation (minute 188 refers): The Cabinet considered a report on the outcome of statutory consultation on the proposal to discontinue the:
- specialist nursery provision at Meadowbank Primary School, with effect from 1 September 2008; and
- Speech and Language Development Centre at Hindley Green Primary School, with effect from 1 September 2009.
The Children and Young People’s Panel had endorsed the report (minute 59 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to address the decline in the number of children taking up specialist places at these facilities in favour of mainstream provision.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the outcome of the statutory consultation and grants final agreement to implementation of the proposals to discontinue the:
- specialist nursery provision at Meadowbank Primary School, with effect from 1 September 2008; and
- Speech and Language Development Centre at Hindley Green Primary School, with effect from 1 September 2009, with a phased reduction in planned places from April 2008.
265 Remediation of contaminated land at the Ince Central Estate (minute 130 refers): The Cabinet considered a report on grant funding from Defra for three phases of work at the abovementioned site and a review of the current overall project funding position as a consequence.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to take advantage of the funding offered to support work already commenced on two of the three phases of work.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- endorses the action of the Executive Director of Business Support Services in accepting grant aid from Defra;
- agrees to carry out remediation to the same standard throughout phase B (phase 9) irrespective of the varying ground conditions on each property;
- grants budget release in the sum of £2,700,000 (£2,353,000 Defra grant aid £347,000 capital resources) and amendment to the capital programme; and
- requests the Director of Environmental Services to submit a report to a future meeting setting out the possible options for financing the final three phases of the work.
266 Governance arrangements for the Wigan building schools for the future programme: The Cabinet considered a report on the governance arrangements for the Wigan building schools for the future programme and the joint procurement process with Salford. The Children and Young People’s Panel had endorsed the report (minute 60 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to provide maximum partner, stakeholder and Local Authority contribution and ownership of the programme.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- approves the governance arrangements for the development of the Wigan schools for the future programme as detailed in appendix 3 of the report;
- delegates power to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to appoint an independent Chair for the Programme Board;
- delegates power to the project sponsor (the Deputy Chief Executive) to establish the governance structure; and
- appoints Councillors J A O’Neill (Deputy Leader) and B M Wilson (Cabinet Champion for Children and Young People) to join the overall Partnership Board.
267 Wigan local development framework core strategy issues and options for community and stakeholder involvement (minute 273 of February 2007 refers): The Cabinet considered a report on the local development framework core strategy issues and options for the purposes of wide community and stakeholder consultation.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to optimise the involvement of stakeholders.
Resolved: The Cabinet approves the local development framework core strategy issues and options now submitted for the purposes of wide community and stakeholder involvement during February and March 2008.
268 Proposed admission arrangements 2009/10: voluntary aided schools: The Cabinet considered a report on the proposed admission arrangements for voluntary-aided schools for 2009/10 and the Admission Forum advice on these. The Children and Young People’s Panel had endorsed the report (minute 62 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to take into account the Admission Forum’s advice and the guidance in the school admissions code of practice.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- approves the proposed admission arrangements set out in the report;
- requests the Director of Children and Young People’s Services to inform the governing bodies of voluntary aided schools of the authority’s advice on their proposed admission arrangements; and
- delegates power, because of the limited timescale for objections, to the Director of Children and Young People’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Champion for Children and Young People’s Services, to object to and refer to the Schools Adjudicator if necessary any determined admission arrangements for 2009/10 which do not comply with the admissions code or Admission Forum advice.
(Councillor T W Halliwell declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Governor of Wigan St Andrew’s CE Primary School. Councillor D T Molyneux declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Governor of Ince CE Primary School).
269 Phase 3 Children's Centres: The Cabinet considered a report on the potential to designate Orrell Lamberhead Green Primary school as a Phase 3 Children’s Centre so as to enable the capital for Leigh Central Primary school to roll forward to 2008/09. The Children and Young People’s Panel had endorsed the report (minute 61 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to achieve the proposal at Leigh Central Primary school (a phase two project) whilst making a start on phase 3 projects.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- approves the designation of Orrell Lamberhead Green Primary school as a Phase 3 Children’s Centre by the end of March 2008 enabling the capital for Leigh Central to roll forward to 2008/09; and
- authorises the Director of Children and Young People’s Services to undertake a consultation process on the four areas of Aspull, Lowton, Orrell and Standish (identified for Phase 3 centres) with initial priority being given to Orrell.
270 Illegal money lending project: The Cabinet considered a report on a major regional initiative to investigate and prosecute where possible illegal money lenders operating in the area. This would involve the transfer of duties to an illegal money lending team, currently carrying out similar work for Birmingham City Council. The Community Protection Panel had endorsed the report (minute 66 refers).
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- approves, by virtue of Section 19(1) of the Local Government Act 2000 and Regulation 7 of the Local Authorities (Arrangements for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2000 and any other enabling powers, the discharge of an Executive function, namely the enforcement of Part III of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, to Birmingham City Council, subject to agreed terms and conditions; and
- authorises the Director of Environmental Services to determine the terms of any such agreement; to enter into it on behalf of Wigan Council; to terminate the agreement; and, subject to the agreement of the Cabinet Champion for Community Protection, to extend it.
271 PHOENIX programme: The Cabinet considered a report on preliminary detail of the PHOENIX Programme (formerly RECORE 2). The Regeneration Panel had endorsed the report (minute 53 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to recognise that Wigan had significantly benefited in terms of information/best practice exchange through its participation in RECORE 1 together with increased awareness of the Borough. Participation in the PHOENIX Programme would bring similar benefits to Wigan and would be cost neutral.
Resolved: The Cabinet agrees in principle to support Wigan Council’s UK lead participation in the PHOENIX Programme, should the bid for European Intereg IVC funds be successful.
272 Abram Library/Community Centre - capital receipt from sale of site (minute 20 refers): The Cabinet considered a report reminding the Cabinet that £70,000 capital receipt with respect to the disposal of the former Abram Library to a community group, (minute 499 of 31 March 2005 refers) had been identified as an element of the funding package for the Platt Bridge First Scheme. The scheme had been successfully delivered without the need for this funding and the Abram Library site was currently being converted to a community centre by a local community group (Abram Community Centre Limited) who were unable to raise the cost of purchasing the site in addition to the conversion costs of the building.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to enable Abram Community Centre Limited to secure a valuable asset for local community use.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- grants a lease at nominal rent value, but subject to a market rent deferred pending the available resources on the part of the tenants, to Abram Community Centre Limited, to enable the Company to operate a community centre from the former Abram Library site;
- agrees to forego the previously agreed capital receipt of £70,000; and
- amends minute 499 of 31 March 2005 accordingly.
273 Revenue budget monitoring as at 30 November 2007 - children’s social care: The Cabinet considered a report on the budget monitoring position for children’s social care services as at 30 November 2007.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the report.
274 Wigan and Leigh Housing (WALH) half yearly performance 2007/08 and governance review 2007: The Cabinet considered a report on the performance of WALH during the first half of 2007/08 and recommendations to change the composition of the WALH Board. The Community Protection Panel had endorsed the report (minute 64 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to take account of the government’s support for the increased governance role for tenants.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- notes the performance of WALH for the first half of 2007/08;
- requests the Director of Environmental Services to progress during 2008/09 the identification of a site for a homeless sheltered unit within the borough; and
- agrees to the proposed change in the composition of the WALH Board as follows:-
| Board Membership |
Current Structure |
Proposed Structure |
| Tenants |
4 |
6 |
| Councillors |
4 |
4 |
| Independents |
4 |
4 |
| Total |
12 |
14 |
(Councillor C Ready declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Member of the WALH Board.)
275 Children's play programme and strategy: The Cabinet considered a report on the approval by the Big Lottery Fund of £666,622 funding in support of Wigan’s children’s play programme. A copy of the proposed children’s play strategy was attached to the report. The Regeneration Panel had endorsed the report (minute 52 refers).
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the report.
(Councillor J B Baldwin declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Member of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust.
276 Bryn St Peter's Children's Centre: The Cabinet considered a report and form CPR1 on tenders submitted for the abovementioned project.
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 the tender submitted by J Hawkins Construction in the sum of £548,277; and
- grants budget release in the sum of £663,734 (SureStart funding) and amendment to the capital programme.
277 New Pupil Referral Unit, St Stephen`s CE School site - agreed maximum price (AMP) (minute 224 of November 2006 refers): The Cabinet considered a report and form CPR1 on negotiations underway with the partner constructor for the AMP on the abovementioned project, which would become operational in September 2008.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- delegates power to the Director of Children and Young People’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Champion for Children and Young People, to accept the final AMP negotiated with the partner constructor, within the sum of £1,582,287; and
- grants budget release in the total sum of £1,850,000 (targeted capital grant) and amendment to the capital programme.
278 Bickershaw Country Park (minute 254 refers): The Cabinet considered a report on the progress to date of the abovementioned project and the preferred management arrangements for the proposed Country Park.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to expedite the development with the best mix of operators for the various facilities included.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- notes current progress and in particular the need to progress the site reclamation without the extraction of coal from the site;
- notes the current position with Land Restoration Trust and authorises the Director of Environmental Services to continue the exploration of management structures for the wider site;
- endorses the selection of Luddington Golf as the preferred operator of the golf course, par 3 and golf driving range;
- endorses the selection of Rock and River as the preferred operator for the Activity Centre;
- endorses the selection of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust as the preferred operator for the Visitor Centre and Country Park; and
- authorises the Corporate Property Manager to undertake further negotiations with these operators on lease terms.
(Councillor J B Baldwin declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Member of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust and left the meeting.)
279 Approval for acceptance of tenders: A49 Warrington Road on-line improvement scheme: The Cabinet considered a report and form CPR1 on tenders submitted for the abovementioned project.
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 the tender submitted by Wrekin Construction Company in the sum of £690,790; and
- grants budget release in the sum of £1,023,140 (£716,198 local transport programme £306,942 European regional development fund) and amendment to the capital programme.
280 Building maintenance partnering contract extension: The Cabinet considered a report on a proposed extension to the existing arrangement with Leigh Building Services (LBS) to deliver the building maintenance partnering contract for corporate properties for area 1, Leigh. This would enable the completion of a review on partnering arrangements and working arrangements with Norfolk Property Services (North West) Limited in this sphere of activity.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to present the least risk to the Council in the short term.
Resolved: The Cabinet agrees to extend the existing appointment of LBS from 1 February 2008 to 31 March 2009 and to allow them to undertake building maintenance capital works with a collective value in excess of £150,000 over the term of the contract.
281 Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012: The Chairman of the meeting agreed to this additional item being considered as urgent, the special circumstance being the need to make the necessary arrangements.
The Executive Leader reported that he had been invited to accompany Andy Burnham MP explore further the potential to use Leigh Sports Village as the Ukrainian training camp at the 2012 London Olympics in view of the strong Ukrainian community in the North West.
Resolved: The Cabinet agrees to the Executive Leader joining the trip.
282 Retirement of Brian Hayes: The Executive Leader reported that this would be the last meeting of the Cabinet clerked by Brian Hayes (Democratic Services Manager) before his retirement.
Resolved: The Cabinet places on record its appreciation of the significant contribution made by Brian Hayes to the work of the Cabinet and Council and extends best wishes to him for a long and happy retirement.
Leader
