Present at the meeting
- Councillor M Aldred (Chairman)
- Councillor J Miller (Vice Chairman)
- Councillor J Moodie (Vice Chairman)
- Councillor J S Birch
- Councillor Mrs B Bourne
- Councillor H L Cadman
- Councillor M A Dewhurst
- Councillor J Ellis
- Councillor Ms P L Holland
- Councillor Mrs J Hurst
- Councillor M Klieve
- Councillor C Rigby
- Councillor F B Walker
- Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside
- Councillor N R Whittingham
- Councillor G Wilkes
Co-opted Member
83 Apologies for absence: Councillors G M Bretherton, R J Derricutt, B J Fagan, G W Fairhurst, R T Splaine, P Thompson and P A Tushingham and Mr D Barber, Rev R Buckley and Mr B Turrell (Co-opted Members).
84 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 6 October 2008 were approved as a correct record.
85 Exclusion of the public - section 100a Local Government Act 1972: Resolved: The public is excluded from the meeting when the Committee discusses the following item for the reasons set out below:-
| Agenda Item No. |
Title of report |
Minute No. |
Description of exempt information by reference to the paragraph number in schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 |
| E1 |
Call ins (if any) |
- |
- |
| E2 |
Joint Service Centre update |
103 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council) |
86 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.
87 Questions (if any) on the Business of the Cabinet: There were none.
88 Questions (if any) on the business of the forward plan – monthly update: There were none.
89 Business case for Wigan and Leigh Housing (WALH), participation in new Housing development: The Committee considered a report, that informed Members of the business case developed by Wigan and Leigh Housing for the possible development of new affordable housing. The business case had been designed to take advantage of the new opportunities to bid for grants from the Homes and Communities Agency (formally Housing Corporation).
Members asked questions on the report, to which the Officers from the Council and WALH responded. The Committee supported Cabinet’s view for ensuring the creation of local jobs.
The Cabinet had considered the report at minute 154.
Resolved: The Committee accepts the Wigan and Leigh Housing business case and awaits further reports.
(Councillors Mrs M J Whiteside and F B Walker declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item because they are Board Members of Wigan and Leigh Housing and they left the meeting at this point).
90 Select Committee No 1 (PACT’s) minutes – 16 October 2008: The minutes of the meetings of Select Committee No 1 (PACT’s) held on 16 October 2008 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Select Committee No. 1 – PACTs - 16 October 2008
Present at the meeting:
- Councillor J S Birch (Chairman)
- Councillor Mrs B Bourne
- Councillor B J Fagan
- Councillor Mrs P L Holland
- Councillor M Klieve
90.1 Apologies for absence: Councillor P A Tushingham.
90.2 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2008 were approved as a correct record.
90.3 Interview on PACT Process with Ms J Ridgway (Service Manager – Community Engagement Team, Neighbourhood Services, Environmental Services): At the Chair’s invitation the Service Manager – Community Engagement Team made a presentation, which updated Members on the evolution and roll-out of the PACT process. Particular reference was made to the following areas:-
- strategic connections being forged with parallel pieces of policy work (Routes to Involvement and the Democratic Services/Township Review for example) in the interests of optimising efficiency and effectiveness in locality working;
- the review of PACT boundaries to ensure against ward overlap;
- refinement of the ward profiling process in reflection on learning from experience;
- the introduction of street surgeries and focus groups with young people;
- the tasking and co-ordination process now emerging through ‘area tasking’ and ‘PACT practitioner’ groups; and
- the need of further work on Departmental/partner engagement across the Council and wider Local Strategic Partnership.
The Township Manager and PACT Co-ordinator advised the Select Committee of their experience in leading area tasking and practitioner groups, and the early successes that had been achieved.
The Select Committee requested a Borough-wide list of area managers with agencies signed-up to locality working and support of the PACT process. Members also requested that the Director of Adult Services be invited to a future meeting of Select Committee.
Members asked questions to which the Service Manager – Community Engagement Team responded.
Resolved: The Select Committee:-
- approves that the Community Engagement Team continue to evolve the PACT process, taking into account observations and feedback from Elected Members;
- requests the Service Manager – Community Engagement Team, to provide a list to the Select Committee Members of area managers at the earliest opportunity; and
- requests the Policy Officer to invite the Director of Adult Services to a future meeting of the Select Committee.
90.4 Date and time of next meeting: Resolved: The next meeting of the Select Committee be held on 28 October 2008, at 6:00pm in a Committee Room at the Town Hall, Wigan.
Chairman
91 Select Committee No 1 (PACT’s) minutes – 28 October 2008: The minutes of the meetings of Select Committee No 1 (PACT’s) held on 28 October 2008 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Select Committee No. 1 – PACTs - 28 October 2008
Present at the meeting:
- Councillor J S Birch (Chairman)
- Councillor Mrs B Bourne
- Councillor B J Fagan
- Councillor P L Holland
- Councillor M Klieve
- Councillor R T Splaine
- Councillor P Thompson
- Councillor P A Tushingham
91.1 Apologies for absence: Councillor J Moodie.
91.2 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2008 were approved as a correct record.
91.3 Interview on PACT Process with Mr David Bainbridge (Housing Group Manager – Better Neighbourhoods) and Mr Mike Grimes (Director of Housing Management), Wigan & Leigh Housing: Mr D Bainbridge and Mr M Grimes from Wigan and Leigh Housing received and responded to a number of questions from the Select Committee on the following areas:-
- organisational involvement with PACTs to date, corporate reflections on experience, ‘value added’ and lessons to be learned in forward refinement of the process;
- new ways of working to which PACT has given rise in housing service development and delivery;
- orking relations with/receipt of intelligence and support from Greater Manchester Police in allocations and enforcement;
- PACT governance and agency accountability – evolving arrangements;
- sustainable outcomes from early PACT work; growth of community capacity and commitment to leadership on project activity/positive response to local issues for the medium/long-term;
- PACT influence on tenant screening and placement;
- measures to monitor and address tenants’ nuisance behaviour, and their effectiveness;
- the assurance of good customer service in response to enquiries and issues presented by elected members and/or local people;
- business/service plans’ evolution according to need;
- organisational preparation for response to Government direction on community involvement;
- Housing representation at Township Fora and their broader membership;
- consistency in Police support across the Borough mindful of elected member observations and disappointment;
- corporate anticipation of additional funding requirements
- work with and support of private sector landlords;
- plans to engage communities and sustain their involvement in service development; and
- organisational assurance of value for money and plans for formal assessment on resource requirements of PACTs regarding positive outcomes delivered
Resolved: The Select Committee:-
- thanks Mr D Bainbridge and Mr M Grimes for their attendance and responses to the questions; and
- requests officers of Wigan & Leigh Housing’s to maintain a dialogue with the Select Committee in the evolution of locality working arrangements as PACT rolls-out across the borough.
(Councillor P L Holland declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item as her father is Chairman of Wigan Homes’ Board. Councillor P Thompson declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item as he is a private landlord)
91.4 PACT Review Process - Work Plan Update: The Policy Officer advised the Select Committee on progress that had been made with the work plan. The Policy Officer informed the Select Committee of the need for guidance on officer invitations to interview, as more officers had been requested to attend than the number of meetings that remained.
Members were advised that the possible use of focus groups and questionnaires with front line staff and local people would be reviewed in January 2009. Furthermore, the Select Committee was assured that research into other local authorities’ good practice and the scope for learning lessons from their experience of locality working would be undertaken.
Resolved: The Select Committee:-
- requests that the Wigan South Area Manager for Children & Young People’s Services and the Advanced Practitioner for the Youth Service in the same area both be invited to attend one future meeting;
- requests that Environmental Services’ Assistant Directors for Cleaner, Greener Neighbourhoods and Highways both be invited to one future meeting;
- requests that the Service Director – Business Transformation be invited to attend a future meeting on her own;
- requests that Environmental Services’ Community Engagement Manager be requested to attend a meeting in February 2009 to reflect on the first full roll-out;
- requests that the Director of Adult Services be removed from the list of Select Committee interviewees; and
- agrees to review the need of focus groups and questionnaires with front line staff and local people in January 2009.
91.5 Date and Time of Future Meetings: Resolved: (1) The next meeting of the Select Committee will be held on 13 November 2008 at 6.00pm.
(2) Future meetings of the Select Committee are scheduled for 24 November, 8 December and 15 December 2008.
(3) The Select Committee requested the Policy Officer arrange an orientation and update meeting between Members whose wards PACT had not yet rolled-out and the Community Engagement Manger for Environmental Services.
Chairman
92 Select Committee No 1 (PACT’s) minutes – 13 November 2008: The minutes of the meetings of Select Committee No 1 (PACT’s) held on 13 November 2008 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Select Committee No. 1 – PACTs - 13 November 2008
Present at the meeting:
- Councillor J S Birch (Chairman)
- Councillor Mrs B Bourne
- Councillor B J Fagan
- Councillor Mrs P L Holland
- Councillor J Moodie
92.1 Apologies for absence: Councillors M Aldred, M Klieve, R T Splaine and P A Tushingham
92.2 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 28 October 2008 were approved as a correct record
92.3 Interview on PACT Process with the Executive Director (Environmental Management and Sustainability), Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust: On the Select Committee’s behalf, the Chair extended a welcome to the Leisure and Culture Trust’s Executive Director – inviting him to introduce himself, his role and responsibilities, reminding members on the works of the wider Trust and their coverage as well. Referring to the Select Committee questions provided in advance, the Chair invited him to share his considered responses with colleagues in attendance – noting that supplementary questions may be presented for answer as the meeting progressed.
The core Select Committee questions and Executive Director responses, focused on:
- organisational involvement with PACTs to date, corporate reflections on experience, ‘value added’ and lessons to be learned in forward refinement of the process;
- new ways of working to which PACT has given risen in leisure and cultural service development and delivery – particularly in terms of multi-agency partnership/strategic and operational join-up;
- PACT governance and agency accountability – evolving arrangements;
- sustainable outcomes from early PACT work; growth of community capacity and commitment to leadership on project activity/positive response to local issues for the medium/long-term;
- the impact of the PACT process on service improvement and the assurance of value for money.
Supplementary questions followed on:
- awareness and accessibility of the Trust’s community-based provision for young people;
- community involvement methodology deployed and communication arrangements set in place by the Leisure and Culture Trust to ensure the maintenance of connection with local people;
- the Trust’s core responsibilities towards green space, parks and countryside maintenance as a part of its service portfolio, and those areas serviced on the basis of contractual agreement;
- grass cuttings’ presentation of a hazard for older residents of Marsh Green;
- opportunity for renegotiation on contractual agreements to provide for greater flexibility and enable a more informed approach to core and community-led service planning;
- the scope for efficiencies’ achievement through new partnerships and service-level agreements;
- intentions towards join-up in capacity-building and legacy assurance;
- Trust experience in the logistics of multi-agency working where competing pressures and priorities are at play alongside the recognition of common purpose and responsibility in respect of particular community issues, aspirations and priorities; and
- the effectiveness of PACT Practitioners’ Groups.
Resolved: The Select Committee:
- formally notes its gratitude to the Trust’s Executive Director for attendance and fulsome responses on the questions put/challenges presented;
- members request the composition and circulation of an email to all Councillors reminding on the work of the Trust in local community settings, particularly its provision of sporting and physical activities for young people;
- ask the Trust to keep its consultation and communication methodologies under review where engagement is concerned – always working to ensure inclusion and optimum effectiveness in engagement and information;
- require the Trust’s provision of a map highlighting green spaces, parks and countryside sites maintained as a part of its core leisure portfolio and those facilities/pieces of land looked after through contractual agreement with service providers active across the Borough – and its due feed-in to WISDOM.
92.4 PACT Review Process: Work Plan Update: The Policy Officer updated the Select Committee on interview dates agreed with colleagues from Children and Young People’s Services and Environmental Services, also noting her contact with the Service Director – Business Transformation and due agreement on her invitation to a meeting in February 2009 once the consultation on Townships’ refreshed remit is complete.
It was reported that work on the identification and investigation of other authorities’ approaches to community involvement and locality working was just underway. The Policy Officer further proposed that officer invitation to come and share other areas’ experiences might help inform the Select Committee’s review, likewise visits and detailed desk-top research. Members agreed that the Policy Officer and her Support should progress the desk-top work now and revisit opportunities of invitation from/visit to other areas on the occasion of their next meeting when it is hoped that more will be in attendance.
Resolved: The Select Committee requests:
- that the Policy Officer circulate Members with questions proposed for colleagues from Children and Young People’s Services and Environmental Services, inviting their additions by return;
- that the Policy Officer and Support now go-ahead with research into other authorities’ locality working arrangements and their effectiveness/impact – drawing out elements of good practice from which Wigan might learn in evolution of the PACT process and broader provision for community engagement, neighbourhood intervention, third sector partnership and collaborative service delivery focused on local priorities;
- that on 8 December the Select Committee consider the worth of research visits and inviting officers from other areas to come and present on their works and engage with question and answer session – advising the Policy Officer and Support on their preferred way forward in laying the foundations for the report and recommendations due to Overview and Scrutiny Committee in the Spring of next year; and
- that the Select Committee look forward to receipt of a first draft report on review findings, improvement proposals and recommendations early in the new year; the opportunity of constructive appraisal and addition.
92.5 Date and time of future meetings: Resolved: The Select Committee agree the following dates and times for future meetings:-
- 24 November 2008 at Wigan Town Hall
- 8 December 2008 at Wigan Town Hall
- 15 December 2008 at Wigan Town Hall
- All meetings will commence at 6.00pm
Chairman
93 Select Committee No 2 (Recycling) minutes – 8 October 2008: The minutes of the meeting of Select Committee No 2 (Recycling) held on 8 October 2008 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Select Committee No 2 - Recycling - 8 October 2008
Present at the meeting:
- Councillor F B Walker (Chairman)
- Councillor J Miller
- Councillor G Wilkes
- Mr B Turrell (Co-opted Member)
93.1 Apologies for absence: Councillors R J Derricutt, G W Fairhurst, P L Holland and N R Whittingham
93.2 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Select Committee held on 26 September 2008 were approved as a correct record.
93.3 Terms of reference: The amended terms of reference were agreed by the Select Committee
93.4 Examine the extent of recycling: The Select Committee received a presentation by the Policy Officer which highlighted the policy and trends of recycling in the UK over the past twenty years.
Resolved: The report to be noted
93.5 Explore performance at comparable authorities: The aforementioned presentation covered performance in the UK.
Resolved: The report to be noted
93.6 Questions for guest speaker at meeting being held on 22 October 2008: The Select Committee discussed topic areas to be mentioned at this meeting. A list of questions was agreed by the Select Committee to present to the guest speaker on 22 October 2008
Resolved: The report to be noted
93.7 Date and time of next meeting: Resolved: The next meeting of this Select Committee will be held on 22 October 2008 at Wigan Town Hall.
Chairman
94 Select Committee No 2 (Recycling) minutes – 22 October 2008: The minutes of the meeting of Select Committee No 2 (Recycling) held on 22 October 2008 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Select Committee No 2 - Recycling - 22 October 2008
Present at the meeting:
- Mr B Turrell (In the Chairman)(Co-opted Member)
- Councillor R J Derricutt
- Councillor P L Holland
- Councillor N R Whittingham
In the absence of the Chairman, Mr B Turrell was nominated as Chair for the meeting
94.1 Apologies for absence: Councillors F B Walker (Chairman), G W Fairhurst, J Miller and G Wilkes
94.2 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Select Committee held on 8 October 2008 were approved as a correct record.
94.3 Draft recycling strategy update: The Select Committee received a presentation by the Waste Disposal and Recycling Manager, which reviewed the draft recycling strategy and background to Wigan Council’s current performance. The Select Committee were then invited to ask any questions they had about the presentation
Resolved: The report to be noted
94.4 Date and time of next meeting: Resolved: The next meeting of this Select Committee will be held on 12 November 2008 at Wigan Town Hall.
Chairman
95 Select Committee No 2 (Recycling) minutes – 12 November 2008: The minutes of the meeting of Select Committee No 2 (Recycling) held on 12 November 2008 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Select Committee No 2 - Recycling - 12 November 2008
Present at the meeting:
- Mr B Turrell (In the Chairman)(Co-opted Member)
- Councillor R J Derricutt
- Councillor G W Fairhurst
- Councillor P L Holland
In the absence of the Chairman, Mr B Turrell was nominated as Chair for the meeting
95.1 Apologies for absence: Councillors F B Walker (Chairman), J Miller, N R Whittingham and G Wilkes.
95.2 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Select Committee held on 22 October 2008 were approved as a correct record.
95.3 Metrolite Industries presentation: The Select Committee received a presentation by the General Manager of Metrolite, which gave an overview of the business and where they sourced their materials from. The Select Committee were then invited to ask any questions they had about the presentation and the business.
Resolved: The report to be noted
95.4 Date and time of next meeting: Resolved: The next meeting of this Select Committee will be held on 3 December 2008, Committee Room A at Wigan Town Hall.
Chairman
96 Select Committee No 3 (Tendering) minutes – 6 October 2008: The minutes of the meeting of Select Committee No 3 (Tendering) held on 6 October 2008 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Overview and Scrutiny Committee No. 3 - Tendering - 6 October 2008
Present at the meeting:
- Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside (Chairman)
- Councillor Mrs B Bourne
- Councillor G Wilkes
- Councillor B J Fagan
- Reverend Deacon R Moore(co-opted Member)
96.1 Apologies for absence: Councillors H L Cadman and G W Fairhurst.
96.2 Minutes of the last meeting: The minutes of the meeting of this Select Committee held on 16 September 2008 were approved as a correct record.
96.3 Presentation by the Corporate Procurement Manager: The Corporate Procurement Manager outlined the role of the corporate procurement to oversee adherence to the Council’s contract procedure rules and to deliver the Corporate Procurement Strategy. The ensuing discussion covered the topics of:
- the independence of departments;
- Standing Lists;
- protection against cartels;
- opening procedures and valuation;
- the role of internal audit; and
- private Finance Initiative.
Resolved: The Select Committee:
- thanks the Corporate Procurement Manager for his presentation and offer to provide more information if necessary;
- asks the Policy Officer to provide a summary of tendering under the Private Finance Initiative. (PFI)
96.4 Next steps: The Select Committee considered the direction of its investigations.
Resolved: The Select Committee agrees to invite to future meetings:-
- the Head of Risk Management;
- the Executive Director or one of the Service Directors of Business Support Services;
- a representative from on of the departmental Standing Lists; and
- an officer from the Engineers department who puts services out to tender.
96.6 Date and time of next meeting: The next meeting of Select Committee No 3 will be held on the 3 November 2008 at 4pm.
Chairman
97 Select Committee No 3 (Tendering) minutes – 3 November 2008: The minutes of the meeting of Select Committee No 3 (Tendering) held on 3 November 2008 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Overview and Scrutiny Committee No. 3 - Tendering - 3 November 2008
Present at the meeting
- Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside (Chairman)
- Councillor G Wilkes
- Reverend Deacon R Moore (Co-opted Member)
97.1 Apologies for absence: Councillors Mrs B Bourne, H L Cadman, B J Fagan and G W Fairhurst.
97.2 Minutes of the last meeting: The minutes of the meeting of this Select Committee held on 6 October 2008.
The Select Committee agreed to hold a meeting on 1 December 2008.
Resolved: The Select Committee:
- Approves the minutes as an accurate record.
- Agrees to decide future meeting dates at the meeting on the 1 December.
97.3 Presentation by Internal Audit: Representatives from Internal Audit outlined the role of internal audit in relation to the Council’s tendering process. The ensuing discussion covered the topics of:
- the stages at which Internal Audit become involved;
- savings made for the Council as a result if intervention;
- protection against cartels;
- the importance of good contract management;
- managing variations and extras;
- the extent of departmental policing;
- difficulties with filling in tender documents and the possibility of filling them in online;
- providing support to suppliers through the application process; and
- the possibility of controlled auctions.
Resolved: The Select Committee:
- thanks Internal Audit for the presentation and offer to provide more information if necessary;
- asks to see the summary for December relating to the agreement of contracts requiring less than three quoted sums.
97.4 Private Finance Initiatives: The Policy Officer presented a briefing note requested by the Select Committee on the Council’s commitments relating to Public Finance Initiatives (PFI).
Resolved: The Select Committee:
- agrees that although PFI is outside the scope of its remit, it should be considered as one of the future financial vehicles for Council contracts.
- agrees to include PFI in its final report.
97.5 Work Plan: The Select Committee considered the work plan drawn up by the Policy Officer.
Resolved: The Select Committee agrees to read and prepare comments on the work plan for discussion at the next meeting.
97.6 Date and time of next meeting: The next meeting of Select Committee No.3 will be held on the 10 November 2008 at 6pm.
Chairman
98 Select Committee No 3 (Tendering) minutes – 10 November 2008: The minutes of the meeting of Select Committee No 3 (Tendering) held on 10 November 2008 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Overview and Scrutiny Committee No. 3 - Tendering - 10 November 2008
Present at the meeting
- Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside (Chairman)
- Councillor Mrs B Bourne
- Councillor B J Fagan
- Reverend Deacon R Moore(Co-opted Member)
98.1 Apologies for absence: Councillors H L Cadman, G W Fairhurst and G Wilkes.
98.2 Minutes of the last meeting: The minutes of the meeting of this Select Committee held on 3 November were approved as a correct record.
Resolved: The Select Committee:
- Approves the minutes as an accurate record.
98.3 Progress to date: The Select Committee discussed the general progress to date. The Policy Officer tabled a work plan.
Resolved: The Select Committee:
- agrees the work plan; and
- agrees to consider the work plan in more detail.
98.4 Work Plan – Issue 1: current tendering procedures: The Select Committee discussed its findings from the meeting with the Head of Corporate Procurement. There was some debate around the issues of accountability and contract management.
Resolved: The Select Committee:
- is satisfied with the documentation, demonstrating the procedure rules and the process, provided by the Head of Corporate Procurement;
- agrees that the rules used by the Council are standard practice; and
- agrees to examine the practices relating to “standing lists” in other public bodies, and the process which decides who should be on these.
98.5 Work Plan - Issue 2: ensuring probity: The Select Committee discussed its findings from the presentation given by Internal Audit.
Resolved: The Select Committee:
- agrees that the presentation gave examples of good and bad practice;
- agrees to ask the Head of Risk Management for his report on the exceptions to standing lists;
- agrees to ask the Head of Risk Management if any recommendations were made by the Audit Commission in relation to tendering; and
- agrees to request samples of audit reports referring to tendering.
98.6 Work Plan – future direction: The Select Committee discussed its future direction.
Resolved: The Select Committee:
- agrees to examine some examples from the contracts register and ensure that they are representative of internal departments;
- agrees to examine the legal responsibilities of the Council when tendering contracts fail to deliver;
- agrees to ask a variety of private companies if they will share their practices with the Select Committee; and
- agrees to examine whether the Council could benefit from a greater level of collaborative tendering.
98.7 Dates and time of next meeting: Resolved: The next meetings of Select Committee No.3 will be held on: -
- 1 December 2008 at 4pm
- 8 December 2008 at 4pm
- 12 January 2009 at 4pm
Chairman
99 Select Committee No 4 (Health) minutes – 22 October 2008: The minutes of the meeting of Select Committee No 4 (Health) held on 22 October 2008 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Overview and Scrutiny Committee Select Committee No 4 – Health - 22 October 2008
Present at the meeting:
- Councillor G M Bretherton (Chairman)
- Councillor C Rigby
- Councillor B.J. Fagan
- Councillor Mrs J Hurst
- Councillor M A Dewhurst
- Councillor M W Winstanley
99.1 Apologies for absence: Councillor P L Holland.
99.2 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Select Committee held on 17 September 2008 were approved as a correct record.
99.3 Update on the planned services for Wigan and Leigh Hospitals: The Select Committee received an update from the Chief Executive of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust.
The presentation was followed by a question and answer session.
Resolved: The Select Committee thanks the Chief Executive of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust for the presentation.
99.4 Health inequalities and the challenge for life expectancy for the Wigan borough: The Select Committee received a presentation from the Director of Public Health for the borough of Wigan.
The presentation was followed by a question and answer session.
Resolved: The select Committee:
- thanks the Director of Public Health for the presentation; and
- agrees to invite the Director of Public Health to a future meeting to update on the progress of the community workers.
99.5 Framework for procuring external support for commissioners update: D Taylor presented a briefing paper to the Select Committee.
The briefing was followed by a discussion.
Resolved: The Select Committee thanks D Taylor for the briefing.
99.6 Topic and Terms of Reference: D Taylor updated the Select Committee on the progress regarding the topic area and relevant research required.
Resolved: The Select Committee:
- receives an update on research findings at a future meeting; and
- invites health and social care officers to a future meeting to provide information on the topic area.
99.7 Date and time of next meeting: Resolved: The next meeting of this Select Committee be held on Wednesday, 19 November 2008 at Wigan Town Hall.
Chairman
100 Select Committee No 4 (Health) minutes – 19 November 2008: The minutes of the meeting of Select Committee No 4 (Health) held on 19 November 2008 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Overview and Scrutiny Committee Select Committee No 4 – Health 19 November 2008
Present at the meeting:
- Councillor G M Bretherton (Chairman)
- Councillor C Rigby
- Councillor Mrs J Hurst
- Councillor M A Dewhurst
- Councillor P L Holland
100.1 Apologies for absence: Councillors B J Fagan and M Winstanley.
100.2 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Select Committee held on 22 October 2008 were approved as a correct record.
100.3 Topic Information: presentations and briefings looking at Care Closer to Home: The Select Committee received a presentation from Mrs J Heyes, Carer and Mrs A Allinson, Carers Project Worker, Hospital Discharge, Adult Services, regarding carer services in the borough.
The presentation was followed by a question and answer session.
Resolved: The Select Committee thanks Mrs Heyes and Mrs Allinson for their presentations.
100.4 Consultation Feedback: D. Taylor briefed the Select Committee on a report regarding the consultation about the closure of Whelley Hospital and the initiatives regarding the topic area.
Resolved: The Select Committee thanks D Taylor for the briefing
100.5 Date and time of next meeting: Resolved: The next meeting of this Select Committee will be held on Wednesday 17 December 2008 at Wigan Town Hall.
Chairman
101 Half yearly report on work of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee: The Committee considered a report of the progress of the work of this Committee, which had become more proactive, positive and had evolved in line with changes to legislation and Council policy.
Councillors Rigby and Walker referred to possible training opportunities for Members of this Committee in order to prepare them for the changes as a result of the strengthening of the Committee for the next municipal year.
Councillor G Wilkes wished to place on record his thanks to the Officers for their hard work in relation to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Resolved: The Committee:
- notes the report;
- awaits the full draft annual report, prior to its submission to Council;
- requests that a report outlining the changes to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be brought to this Committee, following consideration by Cabinet on 11 December 2008; and
- welcomes the introduction of a work plan for the next municipal year, together with associated training opportunities.
102 Call ins: There were none.
103 Joint Service Centre update: The Committee considered a report on the progress of the Joint Service Centre (JSC). The report outlined the key activities required to achieve financial close by December 2008.
The Service Director – Business Transformation referred to the necessary changes to the scheme which had delayed the programme by 9 – 12 weeks. The project had been impacted by the time taken to conclude competitive dialogue; delay in submitting the Planning application and conditions placed upon it by the Planning Authority following statutory consultation.
Resolved: The Committee notes the progress on procuring the JSC and agrees to receive an update in February 2009.
Chairman
