Present at the meeting:
- Councillor D T Molyneux (Cabinet Champion)(In the Chair)
- Councillor J S Birch
- Councillor N A Bradbury
- Councillor R Clayton
- Councillor S Dawber
- Councillor Mrs P Cullen
- Councillor Mrs J M Peet
- Councillor W Rotherham
- Councillor Mrs A Turnock
- Mr J Healen (Co-opted Member)
- Mr D McQueen (Co-opted Member)
- Mr G Davies (Co-opted Member)
24 Welcome to new Members: The Cabinet Champion, on behalf of the Panel, extended a warm welcome to Councillor S Dawber and Mr G Davies, new Members of the Panel.
25 Apologies for absence: Councillors N D Ash, Mrs J Beswick and E N Houlton.
26 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Panel held on 30 July 2008 were approved as a correct record.
27 Adoption of streets and highway drains: The Panel considered a report advising Members of the Director of Environmental Services’ approval to the adoption of streets.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
28 Draft Environmental Enforcement Strategy: The Panel considered a draft report on the Environmental Enforcement Strategy. The aim for the strategy was to improve Wigan’s local environmental quality by reducing environmental crime and encouraging respect and responsibility for all.
Members asked questions, to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the report now submitted and commented as follows:
- Members would find it helpful if they had a schedule showing when enforcement officers would visit wards;
- that the introduction of portable machines, which removed chewing gum, be considered;
- concern was expressed about bin bags being left in alleygated properties rather than disposed of properly;
- it was suggested that an article about this policy be printed in the ‘Borough Life’ magazine; and
- concern was expressed about fly posting in the Borough.
(Mr D McQueen declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item because he is involved in the education of environmental and waste issues in schools in the Borough on a commercial basis).
29 Use of litterbins for depositing wrapped dog waste: The Panel considered a report on proposals to publicise the fact that the public may use litterbins to deposit wrapped dog waste.
Members asked questions, to which the Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
30 Visit to Rigby Houghton landfill site: Agreed: The Panel thanks the Director of Environmental Services and all officers involved for arranging the visit of the Panel to Rigby Houghton landfill site.
31 Questions by Members at panel meetings: Councillor J Haley raised the following written questions (circulated at the meeting), to which the Director of Environmental Services responded:
1. ‘Can I have the figures for the amount of bulk waste items collected in Tyldesley and Astley townships to date’.
2. ‘Is there a roll out programme in place to replace concrete lamp posts, if so, could I have the suggested dates and areas’.
3. ‘With some houses having a black, green and brown bin and other houses just having one black bin, can this be more balanced. Many people who live in terraced houses only have one black bin and wish to receive a brown bin. I feel this is unfair and the balance needs to be restored. Can you advise me when this balance is to be done’.
Councillor J S Birch raised a question regarding the policy on assistance given to people by members of staff at civic amenity sites, to which the Director of Environmental Services responded:
Agreed: The Panel notes the questions raised and responses submitted.
