Present at the meeting:
- Councillor P R C Smith (Executive Leader) (In the Chair)
- Councillor J A O'Neill (Deputy Leader and Regeneration Champion)
- Councillor K Anderson (Healthier Communities and Older People Champion)
- Councillor J B Baldwin (Lifestyle Champion)
- Councillor K Cunliffe (Neighbourhood Champion)
- Councillor D T Molyneux (Environment Champion)
- Councillor C Ready (Equality Champion)
- Councillor Mrs E Smethurst (Improvement Champion)
- Councillor B M Wilson (Children and Young People’s Services Champion)
- Councillor Mrs S Loudon (Chairman)
- Councillor M Aldred (Vice Chairman)
- Councillor R T Splaine (Vice Chairman)
- Councillor Mrs J S Birch
- Councillor Mrs B Bourne
- Councillor G M Bretherton
- Councillor H L Cadman
- Councillor M A Dewhurst
- Councillor I A Franzen
- Councillor Mrs J Hurst
- Councillor M Klieve
- Councillor P Thompson
- Councillor F B Walker
- Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside
- Councillor R Winkworth
Co-opted Members
The Chairman and Vice Chairman of Wigan and Leigh Housing had been invited to attend the joint meeting and were present for minute 14.
8 Apologies for Absence: Councillors T W Halliwell (Organisational Change Champion), N D Ash, P R Franzen, C Rigby, P A Tushingham, N R Whittingham and G Wilkes and Rev Deacon R Moore (Co-opted Member).
9 Minutes: The minutes of the joint meeting held on 7 February 2008 were approved as a correct record.
10 Whipping declarations: The Deputy Director of Legal and Property Services reminded the Committee that government guidance expected Members of Overview and Scrutiny Committees not to act in accordance with party whipping and that, if they did, they were to declare it. There were no declarations made.
Resolved: The Committee accepts the report.
Items subject to confirmation by the Council:
11 Capital strategy: The meeting considered a report on the proposed updates to the Council’s capital strategy, which had been considered by Cabinet at minute 312.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee expressed views on behalf of the Committee.
Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Committee approves the proposals set out in the report now submitted and taking account of this, the Cabinet refers the report to the Council for approval as part of the budget framework.
(Councillor B M Wilson declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Governor at Wigan and Leigh College).
12 Capital projects appraisal process for 2008/09: The meeting considered a report on issues identified within the Council’s capital appraisal process for 2008/09, which had been considered by Cabinet at minute 313.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee expressed views on behalf of the Committee.
Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Committee endorses the proposals set out in the report now submitted.
13 Capital programme 2008/09 – 2010/11 and the prudential code for capital finance in local authorities: The meeting considered a report on changes in the capital programme for 2007/08 to 2010/11; the revised operational boundary and authorised limits for debt up to 2010/11; prudential borrowing indicators for the year 2008/09; and a treasury policy for 2008/09, which had been considered by Cabinet at minute 314.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee expressed views on behalf of the Committee.
Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Committee approves the proposals set out in the report now submitted and taking account of this, the Cabinet refers the report to the Council for approval as part of the budget framework.
14 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital and revenue estimates 2008/09: The meeting considered a report on a proposed HRA capital and revenue estimates for 2008/09, which had been considered by Cabinet at minute 310.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was because the option proposed was the most appropriate in the light of the subsidy determination, the medium term prospects for the HRA and the need to deliver the agreed vision for the service.
The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee expressed views on behalf of the Committee.
Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Committee approves the proposals set out in the report now submitted and taking account of this, the Cabinet refers the report to the Council for approval as part of the budget framework.
(Councillors C Ready, F B Walker and Mrs M J Whiteside declared a prejudicial interest in this item because they are Members of Wigan and Leigh Housing and left the meeting during discussion thereon).
15 Revenue budget for 2008/09 and medium term forecast for 2008/09 to 2010/2011: The meeting considered a report on the financial projections for the Council over the next three years with specific focus on the budget and a council tax and budget framework for 2008/09, which had been considered by Cabinet at minute 311. In addition, the report set out the view of the Council’s Chief Finance Officer under section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 on the robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of reserves.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to avoid a council tax cap being imposed.
Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee expressed their views.
Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Committee approves the proposals set out in the report now submitted and taking account of this, the Cabinet refers the report to the Council for approval as part of the budget framework.
