Present at the meeting:
- Councillor D T Molyneux (Cabinet Champion)
- Councillor N D Ash
- Councillor M Aldred
- Councillor Mrs J Hurst
- Councillor J D O’Brien
- Councillor E Russon
- Councillor C Sweeney
- Mr P Foster
- Mrs S Sharrock
- Mrs P Stewart
30 Apologies for absence: Councillors Mrs J Atherton, R Brierley, J Ellis, J N Grundy, E N Houlton and Mr D Baybut, Mr G Fulton and Mrs B Nettleton.
31 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Panel held on 17 September 2008 were approved as a correct record.
32 Performance monitoring review of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (April 2007 – March 2008): The Panel considered a report, that summarised the performance of Wigan Leisure Culture Trust against agreed criteria for 2007/08 and also its plans for action for 2008/09. The report also provided a progress report on the future commissioning arrangements.
Members requested that future reports provided detail of local and national trends, as this would highlight areas which were improving in comparison to local or national trends which were falling. Members also requested that future reports acknowledged the work undertaken by Townships, in particular, the work the Township Members undertook which related to raising funding for schemes in their areas.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted
33 Mid year performance reporting 2008: The Panel considered a report, which advised Members of the Environmental Services Department’s mid-year performance data for 2008.
In terms of Regeneration issues, the Panel was advised that due to the recent economic climate, the unemployment rate had risen within the borough. Members were advised that the Council was focusing on improving people’s skills and providing training for those people who were out of work, as part of the worklessness agenda.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
34 Potential Heritage Lottery Fund (Townscape Heritage Initiative) bids – option appraisal: The Panel considered a report, which had been considered by Cabinet (minute 110 refers) that informed Members of the option appraisal carried out to examine the potential future Heritage Lottery Fund (Townscape Heritage Initiative) bids within the borough.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
35 Wigan Local Development Framework – 4th annual monitoring report: The Panel considered a report, which would be considered by Cabinet, that informed Members of 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.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
36 North West Coalfields Communities regeneration programme – phase 2: The Panel considered a report, which had been considered by Cabinet (minute 110 refers) that informed Members of the decision of the North West Coalfields Communities Regeneration Partnership Board to apply for a North West Development Agency (NWDA) grant for the North West Coalfield Communities regeneration programme (NWCCRP) – phase two.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
37 Economic Development update: The Panel considered a report, which updated Members on the current progress in the Wigan economy and of any major investment decisions.
Members were advised that there had been a rise in unemployment due to the national economic situation which in turn had seen an increase in the number of claimants to the job seeker allowance register. To combat the rise in unemployment, funding from the Working Neighbourhood Fund was being put towards the establishment of a skills shop within the Grand Arcade to provide support and assistance to those people who faced redundancy situations.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
(Councillor D T Molyneux (Chairman) declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item due to his employment with BHW Components and left the meeting prior to consideration of the report. Councillor M Aldred occupied the chair during consideration of this report)
38 Town Centre management update: The Panel considered a report, which updated Members on the progress that was being made with reducing business crime and the proposals for the forthcoming festive events in the borough.
Members were advised that retail, trade and car park usage within Wigan had increased year on year which was better than the national trend. Members were also advised that Wigan was to be the first authority to meet with regional club/pub managers to agree a minimum price drinks policy.
Members raised concern in relation to the increase in funding required from Members Brighter Borough Funding to organise festive events in the towns across the borough. Members requested that officers continued to approach local businesses to encourage participation and share costs.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
39 Wigan Economic Partnership minutes – 11 September 2008: The Panel considered a report which updated Members on the work and key decisions made within the Wigan Economic Partnership.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
