Present at the meeting:
- Councillor Mrs S Loudon (Chairman)
- Councillor M Aldred (Vice Chairman)
- Councillor R T Splaine (Vice Chairman)
- Councillor N D Ash
- Councillor G M Bretherton
- Councillor Mrs B Bourne
- Councillor H L Cadman
- Councillor R J Derricutt
- Councillor M A Dewhurst
- Councillor I A Franzen
- Councillor Mrs J Hurst
- Councillor M Klieve
- Councillor J Moodie
- Councillor C Rigby
- Councillor F B Walker
- Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside
- Councillor N R Whittingham
- Councillor G Wilkes
- Councillor R Winkworth
Co-opted Members
103 Apologies for absence: Councillors Mrs J S Birch, P Thompson, P R Franzen and P A Tushingham and Mr D Barber and Rev R Buckley.
104 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 14 January 2008 were approved as a correct record.
Further to minute 90, information had been circulated to Members of the Committee via email, relating to teenage pregnancy and children not in education, employment or training (NEETs).
Items not subject to confirmation by the Council:
105 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.
106 Questions (if any) on the business of the Cabinet: There were none.
107 Forward plan for February to May 2008 (minute 94 refers): Following concerns at the last meeting, the Committee considered the updated forward plan of key decisions that had been published on 1 February 2008.
Members of the Committee welcomed the much improved report, however noted that there were still gaps and inconsistencies in the information received.
Further information was requested in relation to the following:
- Leigh conservation area appraisal;
- Partnerships and communities together (PACT)
- Dog warden contract (weekend cover)
- Future waste disposal arrangements
Resolved: The Committee:
notes the report and requests the Deputy Chief Executive to provide information for all Members of this Committee on the reports as requested;
agrees to consider the Forward Plan on a monthly basis; and
congratulates the Officers on a much improved report.
108 Support Services Review (minute 92 refers): The Committee considered a report on the progress with the Support Services Review.
Members asked a number of detailed questions on the report and received appropriate responses where they were available.
Reference was made to link between the township and community engagement area of the Review and the work of Select Committee No 1.
Resolved: The Committee:
- notes the progress made to date;
- requests that a presentation be given to all Members of the Council on the Support Services Review;
- requests regular updates in relation to the Review; and
- requests a report back on the future of the Partnerships and Communities Together (PACT)(minute 107 also refers).
109 Progress on Invasive Weeds, Utilities and Traffic Calming Reviews: The Committee considered an updated report on the Invasive Weeds, Utilities and Traffic Calming Reviews.
Members asked a number of detailed questions on the report and received appropriate responses where they were available.
In relation to the Utilities Review, Members expressed concern that changes that affected the recommendations of the Select Committee were not reported back to this Committee. These included the problems associated with the use of the Tameside Slipper and the cessation of the Local Distribution Network Operation in 2002.
In relation to the Traffic Calming Review, Members referred to the Government’s annual accident statistics which included accidents on motorways.
In relation to the Invasive Weeds Review, Members were dissatisfied that action had not been taken regarding the spraying of Japanese knotweed during the growing season.
Resolved: The Committee:
- notes the progress and improvements made following each of the previous Reviews;
- requests that any information relating to past Select Committee Reviews be forwarded to Members of this Committee;
- requests the Director of Environmental Services to report back to this Committee on the latest Government’s accident statistics and how they compare with the local accident statistics, with the figures for motorways being extracted for monitoring purposes;
- requests that a copy of the report referred to above be submitted to the Environment Panel for information; and
- requests the Director of Environmental Services to review further the situation regarding invasive weeds and to submit a report to the next meeting of this Committee, including the recommendations of the Select Committee in the report.
110 Select Committee No 1 minutes – 6 February 2008: The minutes of the meeting of Select Committee No 1 (Townships) held on 6 February 2008 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Select Committee No 1 – Townships
6 February 2008
Present at the meeting:
- Councillor Mrs J S Birch (Chairman)
- Councillor M Klieve
- Councillor Mrs B Bourne
- Councillor Mrs S Loudon
110.1 Apologies for absence: Councillor P A Tushingham, Councillor H L Cadman, and Councillor R T Splaine.
110.2 Minutes of last meeting: The minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 10 December 2007 were approved as a correct record.
110.3 PACTS: Discussion with Chief Inspector J Rogerson and Inspector R Pell from Greater Manchester Police (GMP). The representatives from GMP presented the Select Committee with a thorough outline of the PACTS process, the reasons why they have been developed and the initial and potential benefits of the approach. They gave full details of the 6 step process to PACTS, highlighting that members would have a key role in all steps of the process right from the very beginning. Elected Members, in their role as community leaders and with the experience and knowledge they have at local level will provide a crucial scrutiny role to the PACTS process as well as informing and shaping the approach. Throughout the discussion numerous examples of how PACTS have made a real difference were shared.
The focus of the Select Committee’s investigation is Townships. Whilst Chief Inspector J Rogerson and Inspector R Pell were not in a position to outline exactly how PACTS and Townships would align they did express the need for a strategic area based body like Township Forums to carry out a scrutiny role of the PACTS process as well as informing and shaping the approach. Experiences of the PACTS process so far suggest that it is an effective vehicle for dealing with low level problems in neighbourhoods even when these issues are complex and involve multiple agencies. The role of a Practitioner Group was outlined that deal with any complex problems that prove difficult to solve. Elected Members may be invited to attend these groups at suitable times to add local knowledge and experience. The structure of the wider approach needs to be thought through to ensure that collective issues from communities are identified in strategic discussions about use and direction of mainstream resources (such as LAA). Attendance, involvement and commitment of key agencies and members is critical to the success of the process.
Resolved: The Select Committee thanks Chief Inspector J Rogerson and Inspector R Pell for attending.
110.4 PACTS: Discussion with Mr I Harrison & Ms J Ridgeway from Environmental services, regarding PACTS and how they link with/affect Townships. Mr I Harrison and Ms J Ridgeway developed the discussion that had taken place with representatives of GMP and provided more examples including some statistics on the benefits experienced so far from the PACTS pilot work. Mr I Harrison and Ms J Ridgeway emphasised the importance of Elected Members to the PACTS process both in an advisory and scrutiny role. Mr I Harrison and Ms J Ridgeway illustrated some of the lessons that have been learned from the pilot work and changes to the new area profiles. It has been recognised that more can be done to harness the significant body of local people willing to get involved. A key element of PACTS will be capacity building in communities so that issues are dealt with together and skills developed so that involvement of local people can be grown where appropriate. It is planned that PACTS will be rolled out to all areas of the Borough and not be contained to priority neighbourhoods.
Mr I Harrison and Ms J Ridgeway were not able to illustrate exactly how PACTS and Townships will align as a decision has not yet been taken. However the transfer of Township staff to Environmental Services means that resources can be used in the most appropriate way to support community engagement either through Townships or PACTS. Support for Elected Members is also being looked at to ensure that members have the support they need to carry out their duties effectively.
Resolved: The Select Committee thanks Mr I Harrison and Ms J Ridgeway for attending.
110.5 Forward plan for future meetings: Resolved: The Select Committee agreed to meet on Thursday, 21 February 6:00 p m at Wigan Town Hall in the Charter Suite.
Chairman
111 Select Committee No 2 minutes – 16 January 2008: The minutes of the meeting of Select Committee No 2 (Reputation Management) held on 16 January 2008 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Select Committee No 2 – Reputation Management
16 January 2008
Present at the Meeting:
- Councillor F B Walker (Chairman)
- Councillor N D Ash
- Councillor J Moodie
- Councillor P Thompson
111.1 Apologies for absence: No apologies received.
The Select Committee requested their thanks to Mr Adrian Hardy to be noted for his time and effort.
111.2 Minutes of last meeting: Resolved: The minutes of the meeting of this Select Committee held on 10 December 2007 were agreed as a correct record.
111.3 Interview with the Director of Environmental Services: Resolved: The Select Committee thanked the Director of Environmental Services for his report.
111.4 Review of action plan time frame for Reputation Management Review : Resolved: The Select Committee agreed to review the key areas identified from the MORI Survey at the next meeting.
111.5 Progress of signage sites: Resolved: The discussion regarding signage sites would be carried forward to the next meeting.
111.6 Date and time of next meeting: Resolved: The next meeting of this Select Committee will take place on Monday, 4 February 2008 in one of the Committee Rooms at Wigan Town Hall.
Chairman
112 Select Committee No 3 minutes – 29 January 2008: The minutes of the meeting of Select Committee No 3 (Transport) held on 29 January 2008 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Select Committee No. 3 - Transport
29 January 2008
Present at the meeting:
- Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside (Chairman)
- Councillor I A Franzen
- Councillor N R Whittingham
112.1 Apologies for absence: Councillor Mrs S Loudon.
112.2 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Select Committee held on 26 November 2007 were approved as a correct record.
Resolved: The Select Committee approves the minutes.
112.3 Draft Report for the Transport Review: The Select Committee discussed the content and layout of the draft report, which covers the outcomes of the transport review.
Resolved: The Select Committee notes the progress to date.
112.4 Recommendations: The Select Committee discussed possible recommendations that could be put forward to the Council, following the findings of the transport review. It was agreed that these would be sent out to all members of the Select Committee for further comment and consideration.
Resolved: The Select Committee approves this course of action.
112.6 Date and time of the next meeting: The Select Committee agreed to postpone setting a date for the next meeting of this Select Committee.
Resolved: The Select Committee agrees the above.
Chairman
113 Select Committee No 4 (Health) minutes: There are no minutes to report.
114 Dates and times of meetings 2008/09: The Committee considered a draft programme of dates and times of meetings of the Council, Cabinet, Committees and Panels for 2008/09. Cabinet at minute 207 had invited comments from Committees and Panels.
Resolved: The Committee endorses the draft programme of dates and times of meetings for 2008/09 now submitted and notes that the forward plan will be submitted to all further meetings.
115 Call In – Proposal to temporarily extend Tyldesley Primary School: The following decision made by Cabinet (minute 263) had been called in by the Chairman (Councillor Mrs S Loudon):-
“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).
Councillor Mrs S Loudon had stated that her reasons for calling in the Cabinet decision were as follows:-
- I would like to give the Director the opportunity to explain to the committee why information presented at Cabinet and information presented at CYP Panel was different.
- I would like to also understand why temporary accommodation will cost in the region of £300,000 and look forward to the Director explaining this to all members of O and S.
- This will also give the Department serving Children and Young People the opportunity to explain why this item was not included in the draft forward plan presented to O and S in September for the period ) October 07 to January 08.
The Committee considered a report of the Director of Children and Young People's Services.
Mrs D Brownlee (Deputy Director of Children and Young People’s Services) and Mr S Robertson (Assistant Director - Management and Development) were present to give the background to the report and answer questions.
The witness (Councillor R Winkworth) was called to give evidence. Members then questioned the witness at this point.
The representatives from the Children and Young People’s Services Department responded accordingly to the reasons for call in.
Resolved: The Committee:
- agrees that the decision taken at Cabinet at Minute 263 is acceptable;
- suggests that Chief Officers be informed that any addenda to an ongoing report should be incorporated within the revised report and not added at the end of the original report;
- suggests that Chief Officers notify the relevant Panel if information that the Panel has previously considered is changed prior to being considered by the Cabinet; and
- suggests that Chief Officers submitting reports to Cabinet factor in the dates for possible decisions being called in by this Committee.
(Councillors Mrs B Bourne, M Klieve and R Winkworth and Rev R Moore and Mr B Turrell declared a prejudicial interest in this item because they are Members of the Children and Young People’s Panel that had previously considered this report and left the meeting during discussion thereon).
(Councillor R Winkworth returned as a witness and agreed to answer questions of Members, she then left room).
116 Revenue budget for 2008/09 and medium term forecast for 2008/09 to 2010/11: The Committee considered a report on the financial projections for the Council over the next three years with specific focus on the budget and Council Tax for 2008/09.
Members asked a number of detailed questions on the report and received appropriate responses where they were available.
Resolved: The Committee:-
- notes the forecast and the potential costs surrounding the risk areas identified and requests the Director of Finance and Information Technology to report in more detail at the next meeting; and
- thanks the Director of Finance and Information Technology for the report.
(Councillor C Rigby declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest in this item because his daughters work for the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust).
Chairman
