Present at the Meeting:
- Councillor D T Molyneux (Cabinet Champion) (in the chair)
- Councillor N D Ash
- Councillor J Atherton
- Councillor R Brierley
- Councillor J Ellis
- Councillor J N Grundy
- Councillor Mrs J Hurst
- Councillor J D O’Brien
- Councillor E Russon
- Councillor C Sweeney
- Mr P Foster (Co-opted Member)
- Mr G Fulton (Co-opted Member)
1. Welcome to new Members: On behalf of the Panel, the Chairman extended a warm welcome to all new Members.
2. Apologies for absence: Councillors M Aldred and E N Houlton and Mr D Baybutt, Mrs B Nettleton and Mrs S Sharrock
3. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Panel held on 12 March 2008 were approved as a correct record.
4. Overview of Economic Regeneration: The Panel received a presentation by Ms S Gambles, Assistant Director Economic Regeneration, that outlined the main aims and objectives for economic regeneration in Wigan.
The Panel asked questions to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the presentation now submitted.
5. Draft Environmental Services Departmental Plan 2008/11: The Panel considered a report on the draft Environmental Services Departmental plan, which set out the Department’s priorities and key tasks for 2008/11.
The Panel asked questions to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report.
6. Regeneration Programmes: The Panel considered a report, which had been considered by Cabinet (minute 361 refers), that sought approval for the submission of the financial profiles contained within the Regeneration programmes delivery plans for 2007/08 and subsequent expenditure.
The Panel asked questions to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the recommendations as set out within the report now submitted.
7. Town twinning - Angers: The Panel considered a report that informed Members about the twinning programme between Wigan Borough and Angers, France.
The Panel asked questions to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report.
8. Neighbourhood renewal programme 2006/08: The Panel considered a report that informed Members of the current position of the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRF) 2006/08.
The Panel asked questions to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted, and endorses the proposal for the management of the capital and revenue grant funding to be carry forward into 2008/09.
9. Worklessness strategy: The Panel considered a report that informed Members of the worklessness strategy for Wigan. The strategy aimed to define the overall approach to reducing the levels of worklessness in the Borough, by assisting working age benefit claimants to secure sustainable employment.
The Panel asked questions to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel:-
- supports the wider consultation with key partner organisations;
- supports the overall approach of the draft strategy as three distinct elements;
- endorses, subject to further consultation, the indentified priorities of reducing inequalities, levels of incapacity benefit due to mental health and reducing the number of young people claiming benefits;
- agrees to submit any comments on the draft strategy to Ms S Gambles, Assistant Director, Economic Regeneration.
10. Questions from Members: There were none.
