Present at the Meeting:
- Councillor J A O’Neill (Cabinet Regeneration Champion) (In the Chair)
- Councillor Mrs J Hurst
- Councillor Mrs B Jarvis
- Councillor C Sweeney
- Councillor Mrs A Turnock
- Councillor N R Whittingham
- Mr T Dickinson
- Mr G Fulton
59 Apologies for absence: Councillor M Aldred, G Davies, E N Houlton, and P A Tushingham and Mrs B Nettleton, Mr J Winnard and Mrs P Stewart
60 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Panel held on 23 January 2008 were approved as a correct record.
61 Local development framework: The Panel received a presentation by Mr Stephen Pimlott of Arup, who had been commissioned by the Council to carry out a review of Wigan’s employment and housing land availability. The presentation informed Members of the progress and key findings made so far.
The Panel asked questions to which the Mr Pimlott responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
62 Heritage lottery fund priority area: The Panel considered a report on the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) decision to designate Wigan Borough as a priority area under the HLF’s third strategic plan which would span the years 2008/13.
The Panel asked questions to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel supports the decision of the Heritage Lottery Fund to designate Wigan Borough as a priority area for 2008/13.
63 Westwood Park – development proposals: The Panel considered a report, which had been considered by Cabinet (minute 305 refers), on discussions that had taken place on an internationally significant development opportunity, known as the Chinagateway project, for the Westwood site and the potential creation of over 1000 jobs.
The proposed project would enhance the reputation and image of the borough as an investment location and would be the first UK gateway designed to specifically encourage trade with China.
The Panel asked questions to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the recommendations as outlined in the report.
64 Working neighbourhood fund: The Panel considered a report that informed Members of the details of the new working neighbourhoods fund (WNF). The WNF would be a successor to the current neighbourhood renewal fund (NRF) but with different strategic objectives and with a specific focus on worklessness, skills and enterprise.
The Panel asked questions to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report.
65 Economic development update: The Panel considered a report that informed Members of the current progress in the Wigan economy and of any major investment decisions.
The Panel asked questions to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
66 Environmental Service quarter 3 service plan monitoring 2007/08: The Panel considered a report, which had been considered by Community Protection Panel (minute 74 refers), which advised Members of the Environmental Services Department’s interim service plan quarterly monitoring data.
The Panel asked questions to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
67 Minutes of the Wigan Economic Partnership – 25 January 2008: The Panel considered a report which informed and updated Members on the work and key decisions made within the Wigan Economic Partnership.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
68 Questions from Members: There were none.
69 Vote of thanks: Agreed: The best thanks of this Panel are extended to the Cabinet Champion and the officers for the excellent services rendered by them during the past Municipal Year.
