Present at the meeting:
- Councillor D T Molyneux (Cabinet Champion)(In the Chair)
- Councillor J Haley
- Councillor E N Houlton
- Councillor N D Ash
- Councillor Mrs J M Peet
- Councillor Mrs J Beswick
- Councillor W Rotherham
- Councillor J S Birch
- Councillor Mrs A Turnock
- Councillor R Clayton
- Councillor Mrs P Cullen
- Councillor S Dawber
- Mr G Davies (Co-opted Member)
- Mr D McQueen (Co-opted Member)
32 Apologies for absence: Mr J Healen (Co-opted Member). Reference was made to an injury Mr Healen had sustained in an accident.
Agreed: The Panel sends their best wishes for a speedy recovery to Mr Healen and a get well letter would be sent on behalf of the Panel.
33 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Panel held on 24 September 2008 were approved as a correct record, subject to the addition of Councillor J Haley being present and the addition of Councillor N A Bradbury to the list of apologies.
34 Managing NI 195 cleansing performance: The Panel considered a report, which informed members about the framework used to measure performance in relation to National Indicator 195 – cleanliness.
A presentation was given by a representative of ENCAMS, a Wigan-based organisation that runs the ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ campaign and who work with the authority to identify areas where cleanliness services need strengthening. The presentation showed an improved picture of the borough regarding cleanliness.
Although the standard NI 195 model would require information to be returned on 15 Wards each year, Wigan would provide new data for every Ward and would undertake further surveys across the borough using the same methodology.
Members asked questions, to which the Executive Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel thanks ENCAMs for the presentation and notes the report now submitted.
35 ‘The Story of Stuff’: Due to technical problems this item was deferred to the next meeting.
36 Draft municipal solid waste management strategy: The Chairman agreed to this additional item being taken as urgent, the special circumstances being the need to obviate any delay.
The Panel received a presentation on the changes to take the current strategy to 2030 and identified actions to reach the new targets and formalise the collection policy. The presentation was also received at Cabinet, minute 137 refers.
Members asked questions, to which the Executive Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel thanks the Waste Disposal and Recycling Manager for the presentation.
37 Sustainable modes of travel strategy: The Panel considered a report on the Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy, which would also be submitted to Children and Young People’s Panel and Cabinet in January 2009. The underlying aspiration of the Strategy was to provide parents and young people with contemporary guidance and information on the availability of sustainable travel options.
Members asked questions, to which the Executive Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the report now submitted.
38 Adoption of streets and highway drains: The Panel considered a report advising Members of the Executive Director of Environmental Services’ approval to the adoption of streets.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
39 Wigan local development framework – fourth annual monitoring report: The Panel considered a report, which had been considered by Planning Committee and Regeneration Panel and would be submitted to Cabinet, on the fourth annual monitoring report on the Council’s Local Development Framework. The report was required to be submitted to the Secretary of State before the end of December 2008.
The Panel asked questions, to which the Executive Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the report now submitted.
40 Mid-year performance reporting 2008: The Panel considered a report, which had been considered by Community Protection Panel and Regeneration Panel, which advised Members of the Environmental Services Department’s mid-year performance data for 2008.
The Panel asked questions, to which the Executive Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
41 Seatbelt and mobile phone misuse driving campaign: The Panel considered a report on the outcomes of a road safety enforcement exercise which was undertaken in partnership with the Council’s road safety officers, Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
The Panel asked questions, to which the Executive Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the report now submitted.
42 Justification for the acceptance of a tender other than the lowest bid: The Panel considered a report on the Executive Director’s of Environmental Services action in accepting a tender other than the lowest tender received. The lowest tender is usually accepted as the preferred option, but operational matters made the acceptance of the second lowest tender more advantageous in terms of the overall project.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the Executive Director’s decision.
43 Questions by Members at panel meetings: Mr G Davies, raised the following written question (circulated at the meeting), to which the Executive Director of Environmental Services responded:
‘First of all, I would like to thank the advisory investigations for bringing in more 20 mph around school zones in the Borough, especially the two which have now been implemented at Woodfold and St Marie's Primary Schools in Standish. Also, a new activitated sign is going to be put up on Avondale Street for St Marie's School and I ask if there are future schemes for more activated signs to be put up on our major roads throughout the Board to slow drivers down?’
Councillor E N Houlton also raised a question at the meeting regarding the location of activated signs, to which the Executive Director of Environmental services responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the question and responses now submitted be noted and places on record its thanks to the Executive Director of Environmental Services and his department.
