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 Miss J Atherton
- Councillor J B Baldwin
- Councillor Mrs J Beswick
- Councillor J S Birch
- Councillor R M Bleakley
- Councillor B Bowen
- Councillor N A Bradbury
- Councillor G M Bretherton
- Councillor R Brierley
- Councillor W Carney
- Doctor Councillor C M Cottam
- Councillor Mrs P Cullen
- Councillor K Cunliffe
- Councillor S Dawber
- 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 T W Halliwell
- Councillor J Hilton
- Councillor J D Hodgkinson
- Councillor Ms P L Holland
- Councillor E N Houlton
- Councillor Mrs J Hurst
- Councillor M Klieve
- Councillor Mrs Y Klieve
- Councillor P A Liptrot
- Councillor Mrs S Loudon
- Councillor B Merry
- Councillor J Miller
- 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 N R Whittingham
- Councillor G Wilkes
- Councillor W J Wilkes
- Councillor M W Winstanley
46 Apologies for Absence: Councillors S C Barnes, Mrs A M L Bland, Mrs B Bourne, H L Cadman, R Clayton, R J Derricutt, J Haley and K W McManus.
47 Minutes: The minutes of the proceedings of the meeting of the Council held on 3 September 2008 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.
48 Mayor’s Communications: (a) Olympians and Paralympians Civic Reception: Further to minute 33(b), the Mayor informed Members of her intention to host a civic reception on Monday, 3 November 2008, in recognition of the achievements of the GB Olympians and Paralympians connected with Wigan Borough who had participated in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing 2008. The Mayor wished to place on record the Council’s congratulations to all the participants of the borough who took part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing 2008.
(b) Mayor’s Reception, Friday, 24 October 2008: The Mayor extended her thanks to all the Members, Officers and their guests who attended the Mayoral Reception on Friday, 24 October 2008. It had been a very enjoyable occasion. She also thanked all those people who were involved with the organisation of the event. Next year’s event would be held on Friday, 23 October 2009.
(c) Town Twinning – Visit to Angers: The Mayor wished to place on record her appreciation to the officers involved with the arrangements for the town twinning visit to Angers between 11-15 September 2008. In particular, she thanked those who assisted with translations during the visit.
(d) Abram Maypole Pit Disaster: The Mayor wished to place on record her appreciation to the County Mayo Emigrant Liaison Committee for the invitation to attend the events in County Mayo during 18-20 September 2008 to commemorate the centenary of the Maypole pit disaster in which 75 men lost their lives in 1908. She thanked all those who had assisted with the visit.
(e) Laura White – X Factor contestant: The Mayor congratulated Miss Laura White from Atherton on reaching the final 12 of the X Factor contestants and wished her well in the competition. The Mayor had written to Laura accordingly.
Councillor R T Splaine made a comment in support of Miss Laura White, to which the Mayor responded.
(f) Mayor’s charity update: The Mayor advised that the total amount raised for the Mayor’s charity for 2008/09 to date was £15,265.00, with some money outstanding.
(g) Further issues (if any): There were no further issues.
(i) Future of the Tote: The Executive Leader announced he had been informed by the Minister for Sport that the government was not planning to sell the Tote and that it would continue to operate from Wigan.
(Councillor M W Winstanley declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in the above item because of his sister’s employment with the Tote).
49 Outstanding business from last Council meeting: Notice of motion (minute 42 of Council refers): Further to minute 90, the Executive Leader informed the Council that Cabinet had agreed the following:-
- to defer motion (1), submitted by Councillor P A Tushingham and motions (5) and (7), submitted by Councillor R M Bleakley, to a future meeting pending the receipt of further reports, prior to any decision being taken;
- to defer motion (9), submitted by Councillor G W Fairhurst, to a future meeting pending further investigation of the alternative options available for the use of Tunstall House;
- to defer motion (4), submitted by Councillor R M Bleakley, to a future meeting and requests the Executive Director – Business Support Services to report back after considering the content of the Government White Paper and the further detailed consultation due out in September that relates to the motion; and
- to refer motion (6), submitted by Councillor R M Bleakley, to the Single Commissioning Agency Joint Shadow Board for consideration and report back to a future meeting of the Cabinet.
Resolved: The Council notes the decisions of Cabinet as now reported.
50 Policy and budget framework issues: (a) Corporate Asset Management Plan 2008/09. Further to Cabinet minute 121, the Council considered a report on the Corporate Asset Management Plan 2008/09, which set out the strategic framework within which the Council’s property objectives and asset management best practice would be delivered.
Resolved: The Council:-
- adopts the Asset Management Plan 2008/09 as part of the Council’s policy framework; and
- confirms that the Asset Management Plan be not part of the Council's Policy Framework for future years and that this be delegated to Cabinet to amend the current or approve future Asset Management Plans.
(b) Further issues (if any): There were no further issues.
51 Constitutional issues: (a) Changes in membership/appointment of Members to Committees/Panels: The Council considered a report informing Members of changes in membership of political groups and of the consequent need to reallocate seats and make appropriate appointments.
Councillor B Merry moved the following amendment, which was seconded by Councillor G Wilkes:-
‘It is completely wrong to ask the Independent Group to take a Member from another opposition group when the political balance figures show that the Independent Group qualify for an extra Member on Planning by right, the anomaly being that the leading group need to have a majority on each committee or panel. This anomaly can be adjusted to give a truly representative committee, by adding a further Member to this Panel. My proposal is to change the Planning Committee, from 14 places to 15 places, to give true political representation on this Panel’.
Councillor B Merry, supported by 10 Members, asked for a recorded vote to be taken, indicating the names for and against the motion or abstaining from voting.
For the amendment (15): Councillors N A Bradbury, J Ellis, B J Fagan, Ms L E Fagan, Mrs D Fairhurst, G A Fairhurst, G W Fairhurst, J D Hodgkinson, E N Houlton, B Merry, J Miller, R T Splaine, P A Tushingham, G Wilkes and W J Wilkes.
Against the amendment (50): The Mayor (Councillor R Winkworth), The Deputy Mayor (Councillor M Aldred), Councillors Mrs K Aldred, K Anderson, N D Ash, Miss J Atherton, J B Baldwin, Mrs J Beswick, J S Birch, B Bowen, G M Bretherton, W Carney, Dr C M Cottam, Mrs P Cullen, K Cunliffe, S Dawber, M A Dewhurst, Mrs S Dewhurst, S F Ell, J Eccles-Churton, Mrs S J Greensmith, J N Grundy, T W Halliwell, J Hilton, Ms P L Holland, Mrs J Hurst, M Klieve, Mrs Y Klieve, P A Liptrot, Mrs S Loudon, D T Molyneux, J Moodie, J D O’Brien, Mrs J Peet, Mrs J Prescott, P Prescott, C Ready, C Rigby, W Rotherham, E Russon, Mrs E Smethurst, P R C Smith, C Sweeney, J Talbot, P Thompson, Mrs A Turnock, F B Walker, Mrs M J Whiteside, N R Whittingham and M W Winstanley.
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: The Council is recommended to
- approve the appointment of Councillor Mrs P L Holland in replacement to Councillor N A Bradbury on the Planning Committee;
- approve the appointment of Councillor S Dawber in replacement to Councillor N A Bradbury on the Adult Services Panel;
- increase the total number of seats on Committees/Panels allocated to the Independent Group from 16 to 17;
- decrease the total number of seats on Committees/Panels allocated to the Independent Conservative Group from 8 to 7; and
- defer the appointment of an Independent Group Member, in replacement of the Independent Conservative Group Member, currently sitting on one of the Adult Services, Children’s Services or the Community Protection Panel to the next meeting of the Council to be held on 7 January 2009.
(b) Appointment to outside bodies: The Council considered a report dealing with the appointment of a representative to the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust Council for Governors. The report set out details of the nomination which had been received in respect of the vacancy.
Resolved: The Council appoints Councillor K Cunliffe to the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust Council of Governors.
(Councillor G Wilkes declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is employed by Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust).
(c) Appointment of Local Authority Representative Governors: The Council considered a report dealing with the appointment of representatives to the vacancies for Local Authority Representative Governors. The report set out details of the 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 L E Fagan to the vacancy at Hindley Surestart Nursery.
On the amendment being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it lost.
Councillor B Merry moved a further amendment, which was seconded:-
This Council nominates Councillor J Ellis to the vacancy at Hindley SureStart Nursery.
On the further amendment being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it lost.
It was suggested at the meeting that the policy of written applications for persons being appointed as governors be circulated prior to the next meeting.
Resolved: The Council:-
- approves the local authority representative governor nominations as set out in the report now submitted;
- 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; and
- requests the Director of Children and Young People’s Services to remind Members of the procedure when nominating Governors.
(Councillor P L Holland declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because she is a local authority Governor at St Jude’s Catholic Primary School, Worsley Mesnes, and Councillor J D Hodgkinson declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a local authority Governor at St Peter’s CE Primary School, Bryn).
(d) Quarterly monitoring of urgent items: The Mayor reported that there were no urgent items taken to meetings under rule 16 of the access to information rules of the constitution during the period 1 May to 31 August 2008.
Resolved: The Council accepts the report.
(e) Further issues (if any): There were no further issues.
52 Questions and Comments under rule 8(1)(b) in relation to the deliberations of the Cabinet, Committees and Panels:
Councillor M W Winstanley made a comment on Minute 92 of the meeting of Cabinet (Transport Innovation Fund bid – joint arrangements for a referendum) of 18 September 2008.
(Councillor B J Fagan and P L Holland declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because they are Board Members of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA). Councillor C Ready declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item of his employment with the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE)).
Councillor N A Bradbury made a comment on Minute 92 of the meeting of Cabinet (Transport Innovation Fund bid – joint arrangements for a referendum) of 18 September 2008.
(Councillor B J Fagan and P L Holland declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because they are Board Members of the GMPTA. Councillor C Ready declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item of his employment with the GMPTE).
Councillor J D Hodgkinson made a comment on Minute 96 of the meeting of Cabinet (Youth Facilities) of 18 September 2008.
Councillor J D Hodgkinson made a comment on Minute 98 of the meeting of Cabinet (Proposed disposal of The Way We Were and Wigan Pier) of 18 September 2008.
Councillor J D Hodgkinson made a comment on Minute 109 of the meeting of Cabinet (North West Coalfields Community regeneration programme – phase 2) of 2 October 2008.
Councillor J D Hodgkinson made a comment on Minute 122 of the meeting of Cabinet (Re-distribution of school balances) of 16 October 2008.
(Councillor P L Holland declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because she is a local authority Governor at St Jude’s Catholic Primary School and Councillor J D Hodgkinson declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a local authority Governor at Bryn St Peter’s CE Primary School).
Councillor J D Hodgkinson made a comment on Minute 129 of the meeting of Cabinet (Leigh Sports Village – project - update) of 16 October 2008.
Councillor B Merry made a comment on Minute 130 of the meeting of Cabinet (Local Democracy Week) of 16 October 2008.
The Executive Leader (Councillor P R C Smith) responded to the abovementioned comments.
Councillor J D Hodgkinson made a comment on Minute 76.3 of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Interview on PACT process with Officer of Neighbourhood Service, Wigan Council) of 6 October 2008.
Councillor J D Hodgkinson made a comment on Minute 17 of the meeting of Appointments Committee (Appointment of Services Directors) of 10 October 2008.
Councillor M W Winstanley asked a question on Minute 28 of the meeting of Environment Panel (Draft Environmental Enforcement Strategy) of 24 September 2008.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Champion for Environment and Regeneration responded to the abovementioned question.
Councillor N D Ash made a comment on Minute 29 of the meeting of the Regeneration Panel (Ashton and Leigh town centre feasibility studies) of 17 September 2008.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Champion for Environment and Regeneration responded to the abovementioned comment.
53 Questions (if any) under Rules 8 (1)(a) and (c): There were none.
54 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.
(1) Councillor R M Bleakley submitted the following motion, which was seconded:-
“Council notes the widespread litter associated with takeaway outlets in Wigan Borough which:-
- reinforces negative images of the borough;
- spills over into adjacent streets, blighting the lives of local residents ; and
- encourages the spread of vermin (notably rates) and increases risks to public health.
Council believes that a new initiative is needed to address this problem including:
(a) Positive steps to reduce the amounts of waste generated by these outlets, including a 'Green' standard for limiting wrapping materials and promoting the installation and use of new on site recycling facilities;
(b) A rolling programme of street action by Environmental Health and Neighbourhood Services to visit fast food outlets and promote green practices, improved bin storage and discouraging dumping of trade waste; and
(c) Education and enforcement targeting young people in schools and colleges discouraging litter, including consideration of targeted late night enforcement action against people dropping litter outside or near fast food outlets.”
Resolved: This Council refers motion 1 as set out above, submitted by Councillor R M Bleakley, to Cabinet and requests a report back to a future Council meeting.
(2) Councillor R M Bleakley submitted the following motion, which was seconded:-
“This Council notes with deep concern that violence against women causes more deaths and disability worldwide amongst women aged 15 - 44 than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents or war.
This Council believes that Wigan Council and its partners should consider women's safety as part of their routine risk assessment.
Some policies contain an obvious potential impact such as the physical environment; street lighting, planting along paths, the use and location of CCTV cameras; house building and provision, estate design and the routing of pedestrian walkways; the availability of public transport, particular for women who need to travel after dark.
However, this Council believes that many less obvious policies would also benefit from this inclusion in their risk assessment.
(For the avoidance of doubt, this Council recognises that men can also be the victims of violence. This Council further believes that measures which will help to keep women safe will also keep men safe and so does not believe this as a divisive motion).
This Council reconfirms its commitment to the safety of women and calls upon Wigan Council and its partners to ensure that all that all policy makers consider the impact of their decisions on women's safety.”
Resolved: This Council refers motion 2 as set out above, submitted by Councillor R M Bleakley, to Cabinet and requests a report back to a future Council meeting.
(3) Councillor R M Bleakley submitted the following motion, which was seconded:-
“Council notes with dismay the spiralling energy costs and the additional burden higher fuel bills places upon all households in the Borough.
Council notes that fuel prices are expected to increase by a further 40% by the end of 2008.
Council notes that this will put many residents at risk this winter as it pushes more people into fuel poverty.
Council recognises the good work that Council officers under take in working to reduce fuel poverty throughout Wigan Borough.
Council welcomes the Labour Government’s Winter Fuel Payment Scheme but believes this to be inadequate in the current national financial slow down.
Council agrees to lobby the Government for a review of the level of payments to vulnerable groups in light of the escalating fuel prices.
Furthermore the Council agrees to provide residents with additional information through ‘Borough Life’ magazine and other Council publications on how they can apply for support and tackle the raising costs of living.”
The Executive Leader (Councillor P R C Smith) put forward the following amendment to the motion which was seconded by Councillor F B Walker:-
“Council notes with dismay the spiralling energy costs and the additional burden higher fuel bills placed upon all households in the Borough earlier in the year, potentially putting many residents at risk this winter by pushing people into the fuel poverty.
Council is pleased to note the decline in wholesale fuel prices and calls for these to be passed on to consumers without delay.
Council recognises the good work that Council Officers undertake in working to reduce fuel poverty throughout Wigan Borough.
Council welcomes the Labour Government’s winter fuel payments and will work with government to introduce schemes to insulate properties both to reduce fuel consumption and to reduce carbon emissions.
Council also agrees to ensure residents are aware of schemes to reduce their fuel bills”.
Councillor R M Bleakley accepted the amendment to the original motion.
On the amended motion being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it carried.
Resolved: This council:-
- notes with dismay the spiralling energy costs and the additional burden higher fuel bills placed upon all households in the Borough earlier in the year, potentially putting many residents at risk this winter by pushing people into the fuel poverty;
- notes the decline in wholesale fuel prices and calls for these to be passed on to consumers without delay;
- recognises the good work that Council Officers undertake in working to reduce fuel poverty throughout Wigan Borough;
- welcomes the Labour Government’s winter fuel payments and will work with government to introduce schemes to insulate properties both to reduce fuel consumption and to reduce carbon emissions; and
- agrees to ensure residents are aware of schemes to reduce their fuel bills.
(4) Councillor R J Derricutt had submitted notice of his intention to move a motion that, due to his absence at the meeting, was not moved.
(5) Councillor M Klieve submitted the following motion, which was seconded:-
“We urge the council to write to Arriva Buses and GMPTE to express our concern that Arriva are removing vital bus services that in many cases are a life line of the community we serve.
In Golborne like other communities we have had the removal of a vital bus service, the 365 bus route; this ran through one of our biggest estates picking up elderly and infirm residents.
With virtually no consultation with the community they gave just eight weeks notice and removed this service.
This council urges Arriva to reconsider the removal of such services and the impact on the local community in particular the most vulnerable people in our society.”
On the motion being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it carried.
(6) Councillor Mrs S Loudon submitted the following motion which was seconded:-
“This council welcomes the investment that the Government is putting in to the learning provision for 11–19 year olds. If we are successful in gaining access to this scheme early, this Council will have cross party support for Wigan Schools for the Future - a scheme that signifies the biggest change to learning and training for decades.”
On the motion being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it carried.
(7) Councillor R J Derricutt had submitted notice of his intention to move a motion, which was withdrawn prior to the meeting.
(8) Councillor R M Bleakley submitted notice of his intention to move a motion, which was withdrawn prior to the meeting.
(9) Councillor G M Bretherton submitted the following motion, which was seconded:-
“I welcome the Council’s decision to sign up to the government’s 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.”
On the motion being put to the vote, the Mayor declared it carried.
(Councillor G W Fairhurst requested that his vote against this decision be recorded).
