Present at the meeting:
- The Mayor (Councillor R Winkworth)
- The Deputy Mayor (Councillor M Aldred)
- Councillor Mrs K Aldred
- Councillor K Anderson
- Councillor N D Ash
- Councillor J Atherton
- Councillor J B Baldwin
- Councillor Mrs J Beswick
- Councillor J S Birch
- Councillor Mrs A M L Bland
- Councillor R M Bleakley
- Councillor Mrs B Bourne
- Councillor B Bowen
- Councillor N A Bradbury
- Councillor G M Bretherton
- Councillor R Brierley
- Councillor H L Cadman
- Councillor W Carney
- Councillor R Clayton
- Doctor Councillor C M Cottam
- Councillor Mrs P Cullen
- Councillor K Cunliffe
- Councillor R J Derricutt
- Councillor M A Dewhurst
- Councillor Mrs S Dewhurst
- Councillor J Eccles-Churton
- Councillor S F Ell
- Councillor J Ellis
- Councillor B J Fagan
- Councillor L E Fagan
- Councillor Mrs D Fairhurst
- Councillor G A Fairhurst
- Councillor G W Fairhurst
- Councillor S J Greensmith
- Councillor J N Grundy
- Councillor J Haley
- Councillor T W Halliwell
- Councillor J D Hodgkinson
- Councillor Ms P L Holland
- Councillor M Klieve
- Councillor Mrs Y Klieve
- Councillor P A Liptrot
- Councillor Mrs S Loudon
- Councillor K W McManus
- Councillor B Merry
- Councillor D T Molyneux
- Councillor J Moodie
- Councillor J D O’Brien
- Councillor Mrs J M Peet
- Councillor Mrs J Prescott
- Councillor P Prescott
- Councillor C Ready
- Councillor C Rigby
- Councillor W Rotherham
- Councillor E Russon
- Councillor Mrs E Smethurst
- Councillor P R C Smith
- Councillor R T Splaine
- Councillor C Sweeney
- Councillor J Talbot
- Councillor P Thompson
- Councillor Mrs A Turnock
- Councillor P A Tushingham
- Councillor F B Walker
- Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside
- Councillor G Wilkes
- Councillor M W Winstanley
31 Apologies for absence: Councillors S C Barnes, Ms L E Fagan, J Hilton, E N Houlton, Mrs J Hurst, J Miller, N R Whittingham and W Wilkes.
32 Minutes: The minutes of the proceedings of the meeting of the Council held on 9 July 2008 were approved as correct records and signed by the Mayor.
33 Mayor’s Communications: (a)(i) Death of SAS Soldier Sgt John Battersby: The Mayor referred with deep regret to the death of SAS Soldier Sgt John Battersby.
Sgt Battersby, an SAS soldier from Platt Bridge, was one of two soldiers who died when their Puma helicopter crashed in Baghdad.
The Mayor had written to the family to extend the Council’s deepest sympathy.
All present stood for a moment as a mark of respect for the sad loss of life
(b) Beijing Olympic update: The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, congratulated the Great Britain Olympic Team for their outstanding achievements at the recent Beijing Olympics. The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, also passed on best wishes to the Great Britain Paralympics Team who were yet to compete.
(c) Mayoral charity update: The Mayor advised that the total amount raised for the Mayor’s charity for 2008/09 to date was £6,063.49, with some money outstanding.
(d) Standish High School: The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, congratulated Standish High School Year 7 rugby league team, who won the Carnegie Championship Schools Year 7 final at Wembley stadium. The Mayor advised the Council that she would receive the group in the Parlour on 16 September 2008.
Councillor G W Fairhurst made a comment on this item.
The Executive Leader placed on record the Council’s congratulations to all Wigan Schools that took part in the Championship.
(e) Announcement by the Cabinet Champion for Healthier Communities and Older People (Councillor K Cunliffe) – Member of the Executive: Councillor K Cunliffe (Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities and Older People) wished to report that further consultation would be undertaken with Ward Members and user groups relating to the future use of Tunstall House, Pemberton, as referred to at minute 15 of the Adult Services Panel.
(f) Further issues (if any): There were no further issues.
34 Casual vacancy: (a) The Chief Executive reported that Councillor S Dawber had been elected to the Wigan West Ward at the by election on 10 July 2008 and the Mayor extended a warm welcome to him.
35 Outstanding business from last Council meeting: There were no issues.
36 Policy and budget framework issues: (a) Corporate Plan and high level performance indicators: Further to Cabinet minute 58, the Council considered a report on the Corporate Plan for 2008/11, which included the Council’s annual accounts and a new high level set of performance indicators.
Resolved: The Council adopts the Corporate Plan for 2008/11 as part of the Council’s policy framework.
(b) Further issues (if any): There were no further issues.
37 Constitutional issues: (a) Changes in membership/appointment of Members to Committees/Panels (if any): The Council considered the request that had been received for Councillor S Dawber to replace Councillor N A Bradbury on the Environment Panel
Resolved: The Council appoints Councillor S Dawber to the Environment Panel in place of Councillor N A Bradbury.
(b) Dates and times of future meetings of the Regulation Committee: The Council considered minute 10 of the Regulation Committee, which requested the Council to consider that future meetings of the Regulation Committee be held on Fridays instead of Wednesdays and that the meetings commenced at 9:45 am instead of 9:30 am.
Resolved: The Council agrees that future meetings of the Regulation Committee will be held on Fridays at 9:45 am.
(c) Appointment of local authority representative governors: The Council considered a report, which gave details of schools within the Borough where appointments of local authority representative Governors were required. The report also set out details of nominations which had been received in respect of some of the vacancies.
It was moved by Councillor B J Fagan and was seconded:-
This Council nominates Councillor Ms L E Fagan to the vacancy on SureStart (Hindley).
On the amendment being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it lost.
Councillor Merry moved a further amendment, which was seconded:-
This Council nominates Councillor J Ellis to the vacancy on SureStart (Hindley).
On the further amendment being put to the vote the Mayor declared it lost.
Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside moved a further amendment which was seconded:-
This Council nominates Councillor J Talbot to the vacancy on SureStart (Hindley).
On the further amendment being put to the vote the Mayor declared it carried.
Councillor G W Fairhurst moved the following amendment, which was seconded:-
This Council nominates Councillor G A Fairhurst as a Local Authority Governor to Woodfold Primary School.
On the amendment being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it lost.
The Mayor then put the original motion, which she declared carried, and it was
Resolved: The Council:-
- approves the local authority representative governor nominations as set out in the report now submitted;
- refers the nomination of Councillor J Talbot for the vacancy on SureStart (Hindley) to Children and Young Peoples Services for consideration at the next Council meeting; and
- requests the Director of Children and Young People’s Services to advise the local authority appointed governors of their terms of office as set out in the report.
(d) Appointment to outside bodies: The Council considered a report dealing with the appointment of representatives to the vacancies on outside bodies. The report set out details of the nominations which had been received in respect of the vacancies.
Council was advised that AGMA had considered the nominations that had been put forward to the North West Regional Assembly Sub Group.
Resolved: The Council:-
- notes the appointment of Councillor J S Birch, Councillor W Rotherham and Councillor Mrs J M Peet to the Wigan flashes conservation and community group;
- formally appoints Councillor J Miller to the Wigan flashes conservation and community group;
- notes the nominations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to the AGMA Scrutiny body;
- notes that Councillor C Ready is appointed as the third substitute to the AGMA Executive and Councillor K Cunliffe is put forward as a nomination for AGMA to the North West Regional Assembly Scrutiny Group; and
- appoint Councillor Mrs Y Kileve to replace Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside as the Council’s representative on the Wigan Play Association
(e) Appointment of Co-opted Members 2008/09: The Council considered a report dealing with the appointment of a new Co-opted Member to the Environment Panel for the Municipal Year 2008/09 as representative of the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Health Service.
This would increase the number of co-opted organisations on the Environment Panel from two to three representatives.
Resolved: The Council:-
- agrees that the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Health Service Trust is appointed as a co-opted organisation to the Environment Panel; and
- approves the nomination of Mr G Davies as the representative for the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Health Service Trust.
(f) Report of the Audit Commission – land at Westwood Park, Wigan: Further to Cabinet minute 66, the Council considered a report from the Audit Commission in relation to land at Westwood Park.
Whilst the report concluded that there were no issues that the Audit Commission wished to raise on the decision to develop Westwood Park or on the level of support offered to Elected Members, it did comment on areas where the Council’s procedures could be improved. These related to the following:-
- the wording of press releases in advance of decisions being made;
- some inconsistency in the procedural rules in relation to call ins by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and
- a possible clearer approach to dealing with complaints.
Resolved: The Council agrees to amend the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny procedure rules and call in protocol as detailed in the report now submitted.
(g) Proposed revision of delegated authority in respect of property functions and granting of leases of premises at less than market rent: Further to Cabinet minute 84, the Council considered a report that sought Cabinet’s approval to the letting of certain properties for community use. The report also sought approval for the variation of the existing delegated authority for the granting of leases for such uses in the future.
Councillors Mrs M J Whiteside and G W Fairhurst made comments on this item.
Resolved: The Council delegates to the Executive Director Business Support Services (Property Functions) the power to grant, extend or renew leases of land and premises for initial terms of less than 7 years (extendable to 25 years in support of external funding requirements), to approved organisations for community uses/charitable functions at less than market rent, providing that the rent concession is less than £100,000 per annum, or such lesser figure as Members may wish to authorise.
(h) Standards Committee Independent Members: The Council considered a report that requested Council to renew the membership of three independent members of the Standards Committee for the following terms:-
- Mr D Lea for a period of three years from 1 September 2008;
- Mr R Kidd for a period of three years from 1 September 2008; and
- Mr G Wood for a period of up to one year.
Resolved: The Council agrees:-
- to renew the membership of Mr D Lea and Mr R Kidd for a period of three years from 1 September 2008;
- to renew the membership of Mr G Wood for a period of up to one year; and
- to authorise the Service Director – Borough Solicitor to advertise for a replacement independent member to ensure that the full independent membership of the Standards Committee is maintained.
(i) Appointment of Honorary Aldermen: The Council considered a report containing a list of eight former Members. The Council was requested to consider the eligibility of each for appointment as an Honorary Alderman of this Borough based on criteria previously approved by the Council.
The Chairman of the Honorary Alderman Nominations Committee, which had met earlier in the day, informed the council that the Committee was proposing that, in recognition of the valuable service given to this Borough, the Council confers former Councillors Mrs A Bennett, G Davies, J A O’Neill, A Robinson and B M Wilson with the title of Honorary Alderman
Resolved: (1) The Council:-
approves the appointment of former Councillors Mrs A Bennett, G Davies, J A O’Neill, A Robinson and B M Wilson as Honorary Aldermen;
- approves the holding of special meetings of the Council at 7.00 p m on Wednesdays 29 October 2008 and 7 January 2009, for the purposes of formally conferring the title of Honorary Alderman on the abovementioned former Councillors and agrees that Rule of Procedure 1.1 (iii) is suspended to allow the normal meetings of the Council previously fixed for 29 October 2008 and 7 January 2009 to be held following the special meetings; and
- approves the provision of appropriate refreshments in the Mayor’s Parlour prior to the special meetings of the Council referred to above.
(j) Further issues: There were no issues.
38 Questions by the public at meetings of Council: Further to minute 30, Council was advised that Cabinet, at minute 52, had considered the issues raised in the motion about introducing a public question time at Council as submitted by Councillor G Wilkes.
Resolved: The Council does not accept the motion of Councillor G Wilkes and suggested amendment by Councillor P A Tushingham, to allow questions by the public at meetings of the Council.
39 Transport Innovation Fund bid (TIF) referendum: The Council considered a report that advised Members of the proposed joint arrangements by the Greater Manchester Authorities to progress a referendum in relation to the Transport Innovation Fund proposals.
Resolved: The Council notes the report.
(Councillor Mrs P L Holland declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because she is a Board Member of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority appointed by the Council. Councillor Mrs E Smethurst declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because she is a Board Member of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority appointed by the Council. Councillor C ready declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because of his employment with the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive).
40 Questions and Comments under rule 8(1)(b) in relation to the deliberations of the Cabinet, Committees and Panels:
Councillor M W Winstanley asked a question on Minute 87 of the meeting of Cabinet (GCSE results 2008) of 21 August 2008.
The Cabinet Champion for Children and Young People’s Services responded to the abovementioned question.
Councillor R J Derricutt asked a question on Minute 28 of the meeting of the Community Protection Panel (New consumer protection legislation) of 21 July 2008.
The Cabinet Champion for Neighbourhood responded to the abovementioned question.
Councillor G W Fairhurst made a comment on Minute 15 of the meeting of the Adult Services Panel (Adult Services improvement plan) of 22 July 2008.
The Cabinet Champion for Healthier Communities and Older People responded to the abovementioned question.
41 Questions (if any) under Rules 8 (1)(a) and (c): Councillor R M Bleakley asked a question of which he had given notice under Rule 8 (1)(a), to which the Executive Leader (Councillor P R C Smith) responded.
42 Notices of motion: The Chief Executive and the Service Director, Borough Solicitor submitted a joint report on the competence and lawfulness of the motions which had been received.
In accordance with Rule of Procedure 10c, Councillor P R C Smith moved the following procedural motion, which was seconded:
The Council agrees to consider the motions submitted in the following order - (12), (1), (9), (13), (3), (11), (2), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8) and (10)
On the procedural motion being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it carried, and it was:-
Resolved: The Council agrees to consider the motions submitted in the following order (12), (1), (9), (13), (3), (11), (2), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8) and (10)
(Councillors Mrs D Fairhurst, G W Fairhurst and G Wilkes requested that their vote against the decision be recorded).
(Councillors Mrs A M L Bland, R Brierley,R J Derricutt, J Ellis, J Hayley, J D Hodgkinson, Mrs D Fairhurst, G A Fairhurst, G W Fairhurst, B Merry, R T Splaine and G Wilkes left the meeting at this point),
(12) Councillor P R C Smith submitted the following motion, which was seconded:-
This Council does not agree with the Conservative Think Tank that Northern towns and cities like Wigan should be left to die whilst economic development is encouraged in the South East but supports their regeneration through local and national initiatives.
Councillor M W Winstanley moved the following amendment which was seconded:-
This Council does not agree with the Policy Exchange Think Tank that Northern towns and cities like Wigan should be left to die whilst economic development is encouraged in the South East but supports their regeneration through local and national initiatives.
On the amendment being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it lost.
She then put the original motion, which she declared carried and it was:-
Resolved: This Council does not agree with the Conservative Think Tank that Northern towns and cities like Wigan should be left to die whilst economic development is encouraged in the South East but supports their regeneration through local and national initiatives.
(1) Councillor P A Tushingham submitted the following motion, which was seconded:-
This Council will seek to adopt its powers under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act to improve our derelict areas. It has worked for other Councils, so why not Wigan? Section 215 works could be developed into a key element in the Borough’s ongoing regeneration programme and form an integral part of that process.
During the debate, the Executive Leader (Councillor P R C Smith) moved the following procedural motion in accordance with Rule of Procedure 10.d, which was seconded to which the mover of the motion agreed:-
This Council refers motion 1 as set out above, submitted by Councillor P A Tushingham, to Cabinet and requests a report back to the next Council meeting.
On the procedural motion being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it carried and it was:-
Resolved: This Council refers motion 1 as set out above, submitted by P A Tushingham, to Cabinet and requests a report back to the next Council meeting.
(Councillors Mrs A M L Bland, Mrs D Fairhurst, G A Fairhurst, G W Fairhurst returned to the meeting at this point).
(9) Councillor G W Fairhurst submitted the following motion, which was seconded:-
This Council now calls on the Executive to halt the proposed Change of use of Tunstall House.
During the debate, the Cabinet Champion healthier Communities and Older People (Councillor K Cunliffe) moved the following procedural motion in accordance with Rule of Procedure 10.d, which was seconded to which the mover of the motion agreed:-
This Council refers motion 9 as set out above, submitted by Councillor G W Fairhurst, to Cabinet and requests a report back to the Council meeting to be held on 7 January 2009.
On the procedural motion being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it carried and it was:-
Resolved: This Council refers motion 9 as set out above, submitted by G W Fairhurst, to Cabinet and requests a report back to the Council meeting to be held on 7 January 2009.
(13) Councillor Mrs S Loudon submitted the following motion, which was seconded:-
This Council congratulates all concerned in the achievements of our outdoor activity centres which have been providing extended opportunities to the young people of this borough for more than 25 years.
On the motion being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it carried and it was:-
Resolved: This Council congratulates all concerned in the achievements of our outdoor activity centres which have been providing extended opportunities to the young people of this borough for more than 25 years.
(3) Councillor P A Tushingham submitted the following motion, which was seconded:-
This Council will continue to improve standards within the Council Chamber and especially respect for the Office of Mayor. This includes all Members standing and to wait for the Mace and Mayor to leave the Chamber before anyone else leaves. The Mace is the symbol of the Mayors authority and at times this has not been totally observed.
On the motion being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it carried and it was:-
Resolved: This Council will continue to improve standards within the Council Chamber and especially respect for the Office of Mayor. This includes all Members standing and to wait for the Mace and Mayor to leave the Chamber before anyone else leaves. The Mace is the symbol of the Mayors authority and at times this has not been totally observed.
(11) Councillor G W Fairhurst submitted the following motion, which was withdrawn at the meeting in accordance with Rule of Procedure 11.8:-
This Council calls for a zero tolerance on drugs, drug dealers and crimes linked to drugs.
(2) Councillor G M Bretherton submitted the following motion, which was withdrawn at the meeting in accordance with Rule of Procedure 11.8:-
I welcome the Council’s recent decision to sign up to the governments Skills Pledge aimed at raising the skill levels of all employees of the authority. Not only does this show a clear commitment by the Council to support its employees but it will also have the knock on effect of raising the awareness of learning opportunities to the borough of Wigan as a whole. This in turn will ensure that we remain a competitive economic area but equally as important we can raise the aspirations of local people.
As elected members of this authority we should take a prominent role in this area and lead by example. Therefore, I urge all members to commit to the professional development opportunities now available to us and work towards attaining the North West charter for elected member development.
The Executive Leader (Councillor P R C Smith) moved the following procedural motion in accordance with Rule of Procedure 10.d, which was seconded and to which the mover of these motions agreed:-
This Council refers motions 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 as set out below, submitted by Councillor R M Bleakley, to Cabinet and requests a report back to the next Council meeting.
On the procedural motion being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it carried.
(4) Councillor R M Bleakley submitted the following motion which was to be referred to the next meeting of the Cabinet:-
That Council puts on record that it currently sees no advantage in the installation of an Elected Mayor in either Wigan or the whole of Greater Manchester.
Although there may be some imperfections in the present system of Governance, Council believes it does form the basis for a strong, legitimate and accountable local democracy which is capable of continuous improvement. It also provides a strong civic focus for the Borough.
(5) Councillor R M Bleakley submitted the following motion which was to be referred to the next meeting of the Cabinet:-
This Council notes with interest the news that the problem of stray dogs became the responsibility of Wigan Council in April 2008.
Consequently this Council believes that the new powers require the authority to increase the number of dog wardens employed. Given that the Council currently employs only two dog wardens in the borough, this totally inadequate coverage will need to be enhanced.
In particular Council are aware that there is a rising and serious problem associated with dog fouling that has been reported in wards right across the borough.
This Council supports any and all efforts to tackle this by enforcing existing legislation and obliging dog owners to pick up after their dogs and not to allow them to roam on their own.
This Council firmly believes that dog fouling, which is a major social menace and a health hazard to very young children, could be brought under control by firm and decisive action, including surveillance, steep fines with "naming and shaming" publicity, the provision of dog bins, free bags and any other methods designed to provide either carrot or stick approaches.
(6) Councillor R M Bleakley submitted the following motion which was to be referred to the next meeting of the Cabinet:-
This Council notes the growing obesity problem in Wigan Borough where almost a third of adults are classed as clinically obese putting them in danger of potentially deadly conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
This Council therefore welcomes the new partnership of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, Slimming World, NHS Direct and the Primary Care Trust in providing a new range of services that provide easy access and comprehensive support to help people make the necessary lifestyle changes to improve their health.
(7) Councillor R M Bleakley submitted the following motion which was to be referred to the next meeting of the Cabinet:-
This Council seeks to further support and encourage retailers, businesses and commercial manufacturers to reduce unnecessary and wasteful packaging, in particular the widespread use of plastic bags.
This Council resolves to take the lead in reducing free plastic bag provision by launching a borough wide campaign to gain voluntary agreement between the Council, business, and other interested parties to end the practice of providing free plastic bags within Wigan Borough.
(8) Councillor R M Bleakley submitted the following motion which was to be referred to the next meeting of the Cabinet:-
This Council notes that there is no facility to allow people in Wigan Borough to use text messages to contact blue light emergency services and believes that such a service could assist people needing to contact the emergency services when unable to speak and calls on Her Majesty's Government to encourage the mobile phone industry to come up with a text message '999' number through which blue light emergency services can be contacted.
Council also calls on the borough’s Members of Parliament to support Early Day Motion 1964.
(10) The Chief Executive reported that a motion by Councillor E N Houlton referred to on the supplementary Council Summons dated 29 August 2008 had now been withdrawn by Councillor E N Houlton.
