- 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)
- Councillor C Ready (Cabinet Champion for Improvement)
- Councillor M Aldred (Chairman)
- Councillor J Miller (Vice Chairman)
- Councillor J Moodie
- Councillor G M Bretherton
- Councillor R J Derricutt
- Councillor M A Dewhurst
- Councillor J Ellis
- Councillor B J Fagan
- Councillor Ms P L Holland
- Councillor Mrs J Hurst
- Councillor C Rigby
- Councillor R T Splaine
- Councillor P A Tushingham
- Councillor F B Walker
- Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside
- Councillor G Wilkes
5 Apologies for Absence: Councillors J S Birch, Mrs B Bourne, H L Cadman, G W Fairhurst, M Klieve, P Thompson and N R Whittingham and Mr D Barber, Rev R Buckley, Rev R Moore and Mr B Turrell
6 Minutes: The minutes of the joint meeting held on 11 December 2008 were approved as a correct record.
7 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:
8 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.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered.
Resolved: After taking account of the comments now submitted by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Cabinet recommends the Council to:-
- note the assumptions set out in the report and briefing paper for the preparation of the housing revenue account estimates 2009/10;
- approve a dwelling rent increase of 4.95%;
- agree that garage rents increase by the same percentage as dwelling rents namely 4.95% in 2009/10;
- increase service charges in 2009/10 by 4.95%;
(Councillors T W Halliwell, F B Walker and Mrs M J Whiteside declared personal and non prejudicial interests in this item because they are Members of the Wigan and Leigh Housing Board appointed by the Council).
