Present at the meeting:
- Councillor K Anderson (Cabinet Champion)(In the Chair)
- Councillor Mrs A M L Bland
- Councillor B Bowen
- Councillor J Eccles-Churton
- Councillor J N Grundy
- Councillor J D Hodgkinson
- Councillor J Moodie
- Councillor Mrs A Turnock
- Mrs M Burgess
- Mr M Simpson
- Mr H Holden (Co-opted Member)
17 Apologies for absence: Councillors H L Cadman, Mrs S Dewhurst, Ms L E Fagan and Mrs M J Whiteside and Chief Superintendent L Bruckshaw, Mr A Roberts, Mr J Harding and Mr M Humphries (Co-opted Members).
18 Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of this Panel held on 2 June 2008 were approved as a correct record.
19 Alcohol Treatment: Carol Lyons gave a presentation which updated the Panel on issues surrounding alcohol related problems in the Borough,18 months ago, current problems and future expectations. From June 2008, alcohol treatment became one of the five top priorities of the Primary Care Trust.
Agreed: The Panel thanks Carol Lyons for the presentation.
20 Review of Advisory Panels and Overview and Scrutiny Select Committees: The Panel considered a joint report, which sought Members’ views on a proposed review of the roles of the Advisory Panels and the Overview and Scrutiny Select Committees, which would come into effect for the Municipal Year 2009/10.
The Cabinet had considered the report at minute 36.
Members asked questions on the report, which mainly related to the roles and responsibilities of Ward Members, Co-Opted Members, Partnerships and Townships under the new structure.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the report.
21 Rollout of Partnerships and Communities Together (PACT): The Panel considered a report, which summarised the methods used to determine the order of rollout for the implementation and development of Partnerships and Communities together.
Agreed: The Panel notes the methodology used and the proposed rollout order for the development of Partnerships and Communities together.
22 Environmental Enforcement Strategy: The Panel considered a report, which informed Members about the Environmental Enforcement Strategy and which invited comments about the Council’s proposed approach as part of the consultation process. The objectives outlined in the report were to achieve a Cleaner, Greener and Safer Borough by promoting responsibility and accountability for all.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report.
23 Wigan and Leigh Housing Performance for 2007/08 and Business Plan for 2008/09: The Panel considered a report detailing the performance of Wigan and Leigh Housing during 2007/08 and which asked for comments on the Business Plan priorities 2008/09.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
24 Wigan’s Homelessness Strategy 2008 - 2013: The Panel considered a report, which outlined the new Draft Homelessness Strategy that had been developed through a significant consultation process to address homelessness issues in Wigan.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the report.
25 Wigan and Leigh Housing: Older Persons Housing and Support Review Programme of Improvement: The Panel considered a report, on Wigan and Leigh’s Older Persons Housing and Support Service Improvement Review. The report looks to develop an approach, which would look to ensure the sustainability of its sheltered housing service and represents the start of a long term process which would look to meet the future housing aspirations of older people.
The Adult Services Panel would consider the report at its meeting held on 22 July 2008.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
26 Housing Partnership: The Panel considered a report which informed Members of the Housing Partnership event on 8 July 2008. The event proved to be very successful and saw the publication of the results of the Housing Needs and Demand Survey recently carried out by David Couttie Associates.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
27 End of year performance reporting 2007/08: The Panel considered a report which advised Members of the Environmental Services Department’s annual performance data as set out in the 2007/08 Interim Service Plan. The performance data showed that the department had performed well in most areas. Quarterly progress reports would be submitted on the targets set out in the department’s 3 year plan.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
28 New consumer protection legislation: The Panel considered a report which informed Members of significant changes to consumer protection legislation. The new law would benefit both consumers and local businesses by offering protection from unfair practices and from unscrupulous traders.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
29 Wigan Community Safety Partnership – minutes: There were no minutes.
30 Questions by Members at Panel meetings: There were no questions.
