Present:
- Councillor P R C Smith (Executive Leader) (In the Chair)
- Councillor D T Molyneux (Cabinet Champion for Environment and Regeneration)
- Councillor K Anderson (Cabinet Champion for Neighbourhood)
- Councillor J B Baldwin (Cabinet Champion for Cultural).
- Councillor K Cunliffe (Cabinet Champion for Healthier Communities and Older People),
- Councillor T W Halliwell (Cabinet Champion for Equality
- Councillor Mrs S Loudon (Cabinet Champion for Children and Young People)
- Councillor P Prescott (Cabinet Champion for Organisational Change)
- Councillor C Ready (Cabinet Champion for Improvement)
- Councillor M Aldred (Chairman)
- Councillor J Moodie (Vice Chairman)
- Councillor G M Bretherton
- Councillor H L Cadman
- Councillor R J Derricutt
- Councillor M A Dewhurst
- Councillor J Ellis
- Councillor Ms P L Holland
- Councillor Mrs J Hurst
- Councillor C Rigby
- Councillor F B Walker
- Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside
- Councillor G Wilkes
1 Apologies for Absence: Councillors J Miller (Vice Chairman), J S Birch, Mrs B Bourne, B J Fagan, G W Fairhurst, J Hilton, M Klieve, R T Splaine, P Thompson, P A Tushingham and N R Whittingham and Mr D Barber, Rev R Buckley, Rev R Moore and Mr B Turrell (Co-opted Members).
2 Minutes: The minutes of the joint meeting held on 25 February 2008 were approved as a correct record.
3 Whipping declarations: The Service Director – Borough Solicitor reminded the Committee that government guidance expected Members of Overview and Scrutiny Committees not to act in accordance with party whipping and that, if they did, they were to declare it.
There were no declarations made.
Item subject to confirmation by the Council:
4 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) - Rent Setting 2009/10: The meeting considered a joint report on a proposal for rents and minor charges for 2009/10 for local authority dwellings. Officers advised the meeting that any decision in respect of Council house rents must be taken at the Council meeting on 7 January 2009 because of the need to serve notice on tenants.
The Chief Executive of Wigan and Leigh Homes circulated at the meeting a briefing note that he had discussed with the Tenant Board Members and submitted their views thereon on this years draft determination. The views of the Wigan and Leigh Housing Board and those of the Deputy Chair and Tenant Board Member had been sent to the Government Department expressing tenants dismay at the suggested rent increase and loss of subsidy.
The Chief Executive of Wigan and Leigh Homes reported that the final subsidy determination as expected on the 16 December 2008. Tenant Board Members were meeting again on the 16 December to further consider options by which time it was hoped that the Government's final determination would be known.
The report set out details of the alternative option sto be considered.
Resolved: After taking account of the comments made by the Officers, the meeting agrees to adjourn and re convene on 7 January 2009 following receipt of the final subsidy determination.
(Councillors T W Halliwell and Mrs M J Whiteside declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because they are Members of Wigan and Leigh Housing appointed by the Council).
