Present at the meeting
- Councillor M W Winstanley (Chairman)
- Councillor Mrs K Aldred
- Councillor B J Fagan
- Councillor T W Halliwell (Cabinet Champion)
- Councillor J Miller
- Councillor P Prescott
- Councillor C Rigby
- Councillor C Sweeney
- Mr T Addison (Independent Member)
- Mr W Anderton (Independent Member)
- Mr P Connor (Independent Member)
74 Apologies for absence: Councillors R M Bleakley, Mrs P Cullen, J Haley and Ms P L Holland.
75 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 31 January 2008 were approved as a correct record, subject to the addition of ‘and expresses its concern in relation to common reporting procedures and the need to improve performance’ at the end of the resolution of minute 73.
76 Exclusion of the public - Section 100a Local Government Act 1972: Resolved: The public is excluded from the meeting when the Committee 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 |
Improvements to controls in creditor payment processes |
85 |
2 (Information which might reveal the identity of an individual) |
| E2 |
Fees payable in association with the local elections May 2008 |
86 |
1 (Information relating to any individual) |
77 Special meeting: The Chairman agreed to this additional item being taken as urgent, the special circumstance being the need to obviate any delay.
Resolved: The Committee agrees to hold a special meeting commencing at 5.00pm on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 to consider updates to the constitution to reflect changes to the policy framework arrangements; financial limits; delegations and changes to departmental structures.
78 Risk management - civil contingencies service: The Committee considered a report that highlighted the Council’s responsibilities under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, and provided an overview of work undertaken by the Civil Contingencies Service in relation to ‘Enhancing Wigan’s Resilience’.
Members asked questions to which the officers responded.
Resolved: The Committee accepts the report now submitted.
79 Wigan’s new local area agreement – overview and update: The Committee received a presentation that provided an overview of the “new” Local Area Agreement (LAA) process and arrangements and implications for Wigan and its partners. An update was provided on current proposals and outcomes of ongoing negotiations in relation to Wigan’s LAA priorities and performance indicators.
Members asked questions to which the officers responded.
Resolved: The Committee notes the presentation.
80 Corporate plan performance report quarter 3: The Committee considered a report, which had been approved by Cabinet at minute 293 refers, on performance against the authority’s key performance indicators in the third quarter of 2007/08.
Members asked questions to which the officers responded.
Resolved: The Committee accepts the report now submitted.
(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 J Fagan declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Member of the Council’s Standards Committee and also AGMA Council).
81 Report schedule for 2008/09: The Committee considered a report that assisted with planning the business of the Committee.
Resolved: The Committee accepts the report now submitted and approves a change in the date of the meeting fixed for 4 December 2008 to 11 December 2008.
82 Internal audit plans 2008/09 to 2010/11: The Committee considered a report that sought Members approval for the proposed strategy for internal audit coverage for the next 3 financial years.
Members asked questions to which the officers responded.
Resolved: The Committee accepts the report now submitted.
(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).
83 Strategic risk register update: The Committee considered a report that requested Members input and approval for the Council’s updated strategic risk register.
Members asked questions to which the officers responded.
Resolved: The Committee accepts the report now submitted.
(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).
84 Audit commission - annual audit and inspection letter 2006/7: The Committee received a report that provided an overall summary of the Audit Commission’s assessment of the Council, based on audit, inspection and performance assessment work.
Members asked questions to which the officers responded.
Resolved: The Committee accepts the report now submitted.
85 Improvements to controls in creditor payment processes: The Committee considered a report that advised Members of the improvements to controls that have been devised to reduce the risk of fraud in creditor payments.
Members asked questions to which the officers responded.
Resolved: The Committee accepts the report now submitted.
(Councillor T W Halliwell declared a prejudicial interest in this item because he is Chairman of Regulation Ad Hoc Sub-Committee and left the meeting prior to consideration of this item. Councillor P Prescott declared a prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Member of Regulation Ad Hoc Sub-Committee and left the meeting prior to consideration of this item).
86 Fees payable in association with the local elections May 2008: The Committee considered a report that informed Members of the levels of fees to be paid to staff employed in the local elections in May 2008.
Members asked questions to which the officers responded.
Resolved: The Committee accepts the report now submitted.
(CouncillorJ Miller declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest in this item because his mother-in-law is a presiding officer at Golborne. Councillor B J Fagan declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest in this item because his son has applied to be a poll clerk at the forth coming local election).
