Present at the meeting:
- 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 J Hilton (Cabinet Champion for Lifestyle)
- Councillor Mrs S Loudon (Cabinet Champion for Children and Young People)
- Councillor P Prescott (Cabinet Champion for Organisational Change)
186 Apologies for absence: Councillor C Ready (Cabinet Champion for Improvement)
187 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 11 December 2008 were approved as a correct record.
188 Exclusion of the public - section 100a Local Government Act 1972: Resolved: The public is excluded from the meeting when the Cabinet discusses the following items 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 |
Private sector leasing |
206 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council) |
| E2 |
Westwood Park – development costs |
207 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council) |
| E3 |
Joint Service Centre – progress to financial close |
208 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the council) |
189 Wigan’s strategy for school places and buildings 2008/09: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services, which informed Members of the consultation on the draft updated strategy for school places and buildings 2008/09. The report informed Members of the updated protocol and procedure for conducting provision planning reviews and the new protocol and procedure for establishing a new school by competition. The report also sought approval to publish the final strategy document.
The Executive Leader asked for an update on the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and the Officer reported that the Government would be making a decision on the expression of interest in the Spring.
The report had been considered by the Children and Young People’s Panel (minute 42 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative option to be considered.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- approves the updated strategy for school places and buildings;
- approves the updated protocol for conducting provision planning reviews;
- approves the new protocol for establishing a new school by competition; and
- requests the Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services publish the strategy in its final format.
190 Primary strategy for change – report on stage 1 consultation for reorganisation of Ince St Mary’s CE and Britannia Bridge Primary Schools: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services, which informed Members of the results of stage 1 consultation on the proposal to close Ince St Mary’s CE and Britannia Bridge Primary Schools and to establish a new primary school.
The report had been considered by the Children and Young People’s Panel (minute 47 refers).
Reference was made to the need for the new school within the community and to the success of the improved consultation methods.
The report set out details of the alternative option to be considered.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- authorises the Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services to publish the statutory notice to close both schools by August 2011 and to publish competition notices for the provision of the new school;
- approves the proposed specification for the new school; and
- agrees not to submit proposals for the local authority to establish the new school as a community school.
191 Maypole development – allocation of financial contribution: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services, which informed Members of the financial contribution to education provision from the developers of the Maypole Estate, Abram. The report also detailed proposals of the allocation of funds to schools in the area.
The report had been considered by the Children and Young People’s Panel (minute 45 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative option to be considered.
Resolved: The Cabinet agrees that the financial contribution be divided equally between Abram CE and Platt Bridge Holy Family Catholic Primary Schools to improve school premises.
192 Marketing Income update (minute 26 of June 2008 refers): The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Environmental Services, that updated Members on the progress that had been made on the Wigan Town Centre Marketing Income Strategy.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
The report had been considered by the Regeneration Panel (minute 42 refers).
Resolved: Cabinet approves the Wigan Town Centre Marketing Income Strategy as a framework to generate income to be reinvested in the town centre.
193 Dates and times of meetings 2009/10: The Cabinet considered a report of the Service Director – Borough Solicitor, which informed Members of the draft dates and times of meetings of the Council and Committees.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet:
- approves the draft programme of dates and times of meetings for 2009/10 now submitted and refer it to for comments in the next cycle of meetings; and
- awaits the detailed proposals in respect of changes to Panels and Scrutiny functions before considering dates and times of those meetings.
194 Honour the Covenant (minute 90 (1) February 2008 of Council refers): The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director: Health and Wellbeing, which informed Members of details of the cross Government Strategy on how the Service Community should be supported. The report also included proposals to support Veterans Day for 2009.
It was noted that Councillor J Talbot has expressed an interest in becoming involved in the arrangements of Veterans Day 2009.
The report set out details of the alternative option to be considered.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- refers the section of the report on Honour the Covenant back to Council;
- agrees that the Executive Director: Health and Wellbeing, takes a lead role to establish a clear corporate approach to the planned Veteran’s Day event, with support from all services;
- agrees a package of staff support from all service areas, including technical, professional and funding advice, to be led by the Executive Director: Health and Wellbeing;
- agrees that liaison with MP’s is undertaken as soon as possible and clear lines of communication are maintained with respective offices; and
- agrees to Councillor J Talbot giving his support and to Councillor J Hilton being the Cabinet support person for the planning of the Veterans Day event.
195 Dedication of public rights of way on Council owned land: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Environmental Services, which sought approval of the dedication of a number of routes as public rights or way on land owned by the Council.
The report set out details of the alternative option to be considered.
Resolved: The Cabinet approves the dedication by the Council of a number of routes on land owned by the Council, the routes to be dedicated as public rights of way and thereafter to be maintained at public expense.
196 Low Hall Park, Hindley/Platt Bridge – designation as a local nature reserve: The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Executive Director of Environmental Services and the Chief Executive of Wigan Leisure Culture Trust, which sought approval to declare a section of Low Hall Park as a local nature reserve.
The report set out details of the alternative option to be considered.
Resolved: The Cabinet endorses the declaration of a local nature reserve as described in the report now submitted.
(Councillor J B Baldwin declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a board member of the Wigan Leisure and Cultural Trust).
197 Sustainable modes of travel strategy: The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Executive Director of Environmental Services and the Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services, which sought approval of the Council’s sustainable modes of travel strategy.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
The report had been considered by the Environment Panel (minute 37 refers), but had not been considered by the Children and Young People’s Services Panel as intended.
Resolved: The Cabinet agrees to adopt the sustainable modes of travel strategy as Council policy and refers the strategy to the next meeting of the Children and Young People’s Services Panel.
198 Response to Haringey joint area review: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services, which outlined the actions undertaken in Wigan in response to the recent Joint Area Review in Haringey, following the death of Baby P.
The Wigan Children’s Safeguarding Board met on 14 January 2009 and agreed one joined up plan between agencies.
It was noted that appropriate training would be arranged for Members of the Council and Staff and a Members Seminar would be arranged for March 2009.
The Executive Leader referred to the need to involve the work with partners and of the need to re visit the position in relation to the sub regional joint procurement of placements for children. He also referred to the need to work with colleagues in Greater Manchester to retain more of the right calibre of staff. Reference was also made to the current problems associated with the information technology equipment used in this service.
The report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Children and Young People’s Panel (minutes119 and 41 respectively refer).
Councillor Mrs S Loudon reported that the Wigan Children Safeguarding Board had recently appointed a new independent Chairman.
The Executive Leader referred to the Laming Review and the Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services reported that the report would be due by the end of February 2009.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- notes and agrees the proposed actions to audit practice;
- agrees to receive recommendations for action and implementation for when the audit is completed in March 2009;
- agrees to participate in a programme of awareness raising in relation to their responsibilities for Child Protection/ Safeguarding;
- agrees to review the financial and human resource requirements in the light of action agreed through the Safeguarding Board;
- confirms the arrangements for a Members Seminar to be held in March 2009; and
- requests the Executive Leader to write to Lord Laming to emphasise the points raised at the meeting in relation to staffing, improved IT facilities and the role of Members and partners.
199 Outcome of Ofsted annual performance assessment 2008 for Wigan: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services, which informed Members of the outcome of Ofsted’s 2008 Annual Performance Assessment for Wigan.
The report had been considered by the Children and Young People’s Panel (minute 44 refers).
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the report now submitted.
200 Proposed admission arrangements 2010/11 – foundation and voluntary aided schools: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services which informed Members of the proposed admission arrangements for foundation and voluntary aided schools for 2010-2011 and the Admission Forum Advice on these.
The report had been considered by the Children and Young People’s Panel (minute 46 refers).
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
agrees that the local authority should inform the governing bodies of foundation and voluntary aided schools of the authority’s advice on their proposed admission arrangements; and
delegates power to the Director of Children and Young People’s Services, to object to and refer to the schools adjudicator if necessary any determined admission arrangements for 2010/11 which do not comply with the Admissions Code or Admission Forum advice, because of the limited timescale for objections.
(Councillor D T Molyneux declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Governor of Ince C of E School appointed by the Council).
201 Wigan and Leigh Housing half yearly performance 2008/09: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Environmental Services, which informed Members of the performance of Wigan and Leigh Housing during the first half of 2008/09.
The Community Protection Panel had considered the report (minute 57 refers)
Councillor K Cunliffe referred to cases where gas has been installed to properties without formal certification as was the case at Blake Close, Worsley Mesnes. The Chief Executive of Wigan and Leigh Housing was in discussions with the Health and Safety Executive regarding this issue and a final report was awaited from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
The Chief Executive referred to problems associated with the upgrade of gas installations and the need to make safe the work.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the report.
(Councillor T W Halliwell declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Board Member of Wigan and Leigh Housing appointed by the Council).
202 CSCI annual performance assessment 2007/08: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Health and Wellbeing, which informed Members of the outcome of the annual performance assessment of social care services for Adults Services.
The Adult Services Panel had considered report (minute 51 refers).
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the report.
203 Adult Services budget monitoring 2008/09: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Health and Wellbeing, which informed Members of the budget monitoring position for Adult Services after the first eight months of 2008/09. The report sought comments on the budgetary issues that needed to be addressed during the year.
The Adult Services Panel had consider the report (minute 53 refers).
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the report.
204 Transforming Social Care: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Health and Wellbeing, which informed Members of the approach the Adult Services Department intended to undertake towards the main themes of the Putting people First concordat and Transforming Social Care guidance from the Department of Health
The Adult Services Panel had considered the report (minute 56 refers).
Councillor K Cunliffe referred to the recent presentation by the Reablement Service which he found very interesting and useful for those using this service. There was further discussion about the impact of personalisation of social services and the impact on service provision and the need for swift implementation of the approach.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet agree the proposed approach for the implementation of Transforming Social Care as detailed in the report now submitted.
205 Single Commissioning Agency – Joint Shadow Board minutes, 18 December 2008: The Cabinet considered the minutes of the Single Commissioning Agency Joint Shadow Board which met on 18 December 2008.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the minutes, subject to the deletion of Mrs K Maloney from the list of Members present at the meeting.
206 Private sector leasing: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Environmental Services, which informed Members of the proposals for a private sector leasing scheme. The report also sought approval to enter into long term leasing arrangements as party of an initiative to deliver 150 new affordable homes.
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Community Protection Panel had considered the report (minutes 120 and 58 respectively refer).
The report set out details of the alternative option to be considered.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- approves of the Private Sector Leasing scheme;
- requests that the service level agreement with Wigan Housing Solutions proceeds;
- agrees that financial support be given from existing budgets; and
- congratulates the Officers involved with the scheme.
(Councillor K Anderson declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in the above item because he is a private landlord).
207 Westwood Park – development costs update: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Environmental Services, which informed Members of the updated costs and related prudential borrowing requirements for the Westwood Development project.
Councillor D T Molyneux referred to the possibility of improving the access to the site to make it more attractive to visitors.
The report set out details of the alternative option to be considered.
Resolved: The Cabinet :-
- notes the content of the report;
- notes the requirement for ongoing additional resources for the increased costs of existing works;
- approve a separate budget to allow some essential further works to be undertaken as detailed in the report now submitted; and
- agree that a further report is submitted back to Cabinet in due course to update Members on funding and other financial issues relating to the Westwood Park scheme and wider Wigan south central project.
(Councillor P R C Smith declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Member of the NWRA Board).
208 Joint Service Centre – progress to financial close: The Cabinet received a verbal update on the progress of the Joint Service Centre (JSC). The Service Director – Business Transformation reported that the Children’s Library staff had relocated to the Galleries and that the remaining staff from the Municipal Buildings had moved to the Coops Building. The latter would enable a photographic survey to be undertaken of the building. She also referred to negotiations with the design team for the provision of suitable furnishings etc.
Reference was made to the current financial situation in relation to the banks, which was having an impact on bringing issues to a financial close.
It was noted of the importance of managing the positive messages about the scheme, with a need to brief stakeholders on the latest position and of the effects that the economic downturn have had on the progress.
Resolved: The Cabinet:
- notes the progress on procuring the JSC and agrees to receive further updates; and
- thanks the Service Director – Business Transformation for her work on the scheme.
