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)
- Councillor C Ready (Cabinet Champion for Improvement)
222 Apologies for absence: There were none.
223 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 5 February 2009 were approved as a correct record.
224 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 |
Joint Service Centre update |
236 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the Council) |
| E2 |
Wigan for work European programme closure |
237 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the Council) |
| E3 |
Heritage Lottery Fund project – Wigan History Shop – acceptance of tenders |
238 |
6 (information that would reveal that the Council is going to issue a legal notice, order or direction) |
225 Establishment of an Overview and Scrutiny Coordinating Committee and Four Scrutiny Committees: The Committee considered a report from the Service Director – Borough Solicitor, which advised Members of the feedback on recent consultation carried out with Cabinet, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Audit Governance and Improvement Review Committee and the Council’s Advisory Panels on the changes to Advisory Panels and the introduction of themed Scrutiny Committees.
The report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (minute 138 refers).
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered.
Members asked various questions on the report and gave their views.
The Executive Leader referred to the good work undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Select Committees and suggested that one or two of those Select Committees be allowed to continue to investigate cross cutting issues. Reference was made to populating work plans for the new Scrutiny Committees.
Cabinet agreed that the report should go to Council on 4 March 2009 for consideration in order to ensure adequate time to make preparations for the new arrangements in the new Municipal Year and supported the view of Overview and Scrutiny Committee that a Seminar should be arranged for all Members of the Council, prior to the start of the new Municipal Year.
The Executive Leader suggested that the meeting of Cabinet scheduled to be held on Thursday, 4 June 2009 be cancelled in view of the European Elections being held on that day.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- notes the outcome of the consultation; and
- authorises the Service Director – Borough Solicitor to arrange a Members Seminar on the changes and options available; and
- refers the report to the Council meeting on 4 March 2009, additionally requesting Council to consider cancelling the Cabinet scheduled to be held on 4 June 2009 in view of the European Elections being held on that day.
226 Wigan refugee and migrants forum strategy (WARM): The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Health and Well being, which informed Members of the WARM strategy produced by the refugee and migrants forum.
Reference was made to the issues surrounding unaccompanied children.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- notes the report;
- approves the dissemination of the draft strategy; and
- requests to receive the final strategy after consultation with Members and partners.
227 Transfer of ownership of Manchester Investment Development Agency Services Limited: The Cabinet considered a report of the Service Director – Borough Solicitor, which sought Members to agree to the transfer of the ownership of Manchester Investment Development Agency Services Ltd (MIDAS) from Manchester Enterprise Ltd to the ten Greater Manchester Authorities.
The report set out details of the alternative options to be considered.
Resolved: The Cabinet:
- agrees to the transfer of the ownership of Manchester Investment Development Agency Services Ltd from Manchester Enterprises Limited (MIDAS) to the ten Greater Manchester Authorities;
- agrees that Wigan Borough Council becomes a member of MIDAS;
- agrees that the Service Director – Borough Solicitor writes to the Company Secretary of MIDAS requesting that Wigan Council be admitted to the membership of MIDAS; and
- agrees that the Service Director – Borough Solicitor liaises with the City Solicitor of Manchester City Council to undertake the necessary legalities to formalise the arrangements.
(The Executive Leader (Councillor P R C Smith) declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Member of the Manchester Economic Development, Employment and Skills Commission).
228 Wigan Admission Forum: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services, informing Members of a change in the school admission regulations regarding Admission Forum membership. The report also sought approval for the reconstitution of the Admission Forum.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet:
- endorses the reconstitution of the Admission Forum;
- approves the membership;
- approves that the current core members, where possible, are assimilated into the Forum membership; and
- instructs the Executive Director of Children and Young People Services to seek nominations where vacancies exist.
229 Eastern Skills Centre: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services, which sought Members consent on the formation by a group of six schools in the eastern part of the Borough of a company under Section 11 of the Education Act 2002 for the purpose of establishing a Skills Centre for 14 -19 year old learners and the wider community.
Reference was made to the Building Schools for the Future bid and how this would impact on this proposal.
The report set out details of the alternative option to be considered.
Resolved: The Cabinet:
- gives consent to the governing bodies of the following schools to exercise their powers under Section 11 of the Act to form a company for the purposes of establishing a Skills Centre for 14 – 19 year old learners and the wider community in the eastern part of the borough:
- Tyldesley Fred Longworth High School;
- Lowton High School;
- St. Marys High School;
- West Leigh High School;
- Oakfield High School; and
- Bedford High School.
- agrees that the decision on Building Schools for the Future and the preferred position of schools remain a local decision on the sites chosen, with the importance on the schools working together being stressed at all times.
230 Capital Appraisal 2009/10, Capital Programme 2009/10 to 2011/12 and the Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities: The Cabinet considered a report of the Service Director – Corporate Services, that sought approval for the results of the Annual capital appraisal process 2009/10, the approval of the Capital Programme now submitted and the approval of the Treasury Policy as appended to the report. The report also set the prudential Borrowing indicators for the years 2009/10 to 2011/12.
There were no alternative options for consideration.
Resolved: (1) The Cabinet:
- agrees to submit this report to the joint meeting with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 23 February 2009 as the basis for preparing the formal resolution to Council on 11 March 2009 on the capital appraisal for 2009/10, capital programme for 2009/10 to 20011/12; the revised operational boundary and authorised limits for debt up to 2011/12; prudential borrowing indicators for the year 2009/10; and a treasury policy for 2009/10.
(2) Subject thereto, the Cabinet recommends the Council to:-
- approve the results of the Annual capital appraisal process;
- approve the Capital Programme now submitted;
- approve the revised operational Boundary and Authorised Limits for debt for 2009/10;
- set the prudential indicators;
- approve the Treasury Policy appended to the report; and
- confirm the inclusion of the Lloyds TSB and the Royal Bank of Scotland on the counter party list, provided they continue to operate appropriately particularly in relation to pay and reward.
(Councillor J B Baldwin declared personal and non-prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Board Member of Wigan and Leisure Culture Trust).
231 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital and Revenue Estimates 2009/10: The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Executive Director of Business Support Services the Executive Director of Environmental Services and the Chief Executive of Wigan and Leigh Housing, which recommended a proposal for HRA Capital and Revenue estimates for 2009/10.
The report set out details of the alternative option to be considered.
Resolved: (1) The Cabinet agrees to submit this report to the joint meeting with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and 23 February 2009 as the basis for preparing the formal resolution to Council on 11 March 2009 on the HRA capital and revenue estimates for 2009/10. The Cabinet also gave consideration to bringing forward an element of spending of the major repairs allowance from 2010/11 into 2009/10 (Councillor R M Bleakley having raised this as a question to full Council on 7 January 2009). The Cabinet following advice from the Chief Executive of Wigan and Leigh Homes and the Executive Director Business Support Services determined not to bid to DCLG to bring this programme forward given that plans for both years were well advanced and that the current phasing of expenditure would match capacity in the local construction market.
(2) Subject thereto, the Cabinet recommends the Council to:-
- approve the HRA revenue estimates for 2009/10
- approve the HRA capital estimates for 2009/10;
- approve the ALMO management fee for 2009/10 as £15,332,418;
- confirm the use of £250,000 of capital allowance to fund regeneration work such as conversions to bring properties back into use;
- confirm the use of capital receipts in respect of reimbursement of capital expenditure on sold properties;
- grant budget release for the 2009/10 HRA capital programme;
- appoint Wigan and Leigh Housing to manage the HRA capital programme;
- delegate to Wigan and Leigh Housing the power to manage the timing of the elements of the programme to match the available resources; and
- delegate to Wigan and Leigh Housing the choice of minor programmes in the light of resources available when the 2008/09 out-turn is known.
232 Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) policy statement (minute 42 refers): The Cabinet considered a report of the Service Director – Corporate Services seeking approval for the Minimum Revenue Provision for 2009/10.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Resolved: (1) The Cabinet agrees to submit this report to the joint meeting with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and 23 February 2009 as the basis for preparing the formal resolution to Council on 11 March 2009 as a basis of re affirming the policy that was agreed for the previous year.
(2) Subject thereto, the Cabinet recommends the Council to adopt the minimum revenue position policy statement as now submitted for 2009/10.
233 Revenue budget 2009/10 and Medium Term Forecast for 2009/10 – 2010/11: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Business Support Services, on the financial projections for the Council over the next three years with specific focus on the budget and a council tax and budget framework for 2009/10.
The report also set out the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2009/10 – 2011/12 and highlighted a number of key pressures the Council was likely to face over the period.
Members asked various questions on the report and gave their views.
The Executive Leader proposed a freeze on school meal prices in view of the economic down turn and also requested officers to investigate the further use of credit union services throughout the borough.
The report set out details of the alternative option to be considered. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to avoid a council tax cap being imposed.
Resolved: (1) The Cabinet agrees to submit this report to the joint meeting with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 23 February 2009 as the basis for preparing the formal resolution to Council on 11 March 2009 on the budget and a council tax and budget framework for 2009/10.
(2) Subject thereto, the Cabinet recommends the Council to:-
- approve the budget framework and medium term financial forecast as set out in appendix 1 to the report, incorporating the income and fees proposals set out in appendix 2, and growth and savings proposals set out in appendix 4;
- note the results of the Citizen’s Panel and internet budget surveys as set out in appendix 3 of the report;
- approve an indicative Schools Budget of £185,860,000 for 2009/10 (appendix 5 of the report);
- approve a rise in Band D Council Tax of 2% for the Wigan element of the charge as set out in section 8 and requests the Service Director Corporate Services– Business Support Services to use this as the basis for the formal resolution to Council;
- approve in principle the freeze on school meal prices for 2009/10; and
- encourage the use of credit unions throughout the borough.
(Councillor D T Molyneux declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Director of Leigh Sports Village Limited).
234 Progress on the Housing response to the Economic recession: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Environmental Services which updated Members on the impact of the credit crunch and economic slowdown was having on Wigan’s housing situation. The report also provided a progress report on the measures that are being developed and implemented in response.
The report had been considered by Cabinet (minute 156 refers) and Community Protection Panel (minute 53 refers) and would be again considered by the Community Protection Panel on the 16 March 2009.
Members asked various questions on the report and gave their views in respect of partnership working and the possibility of introducing a dedicated telephone line to assist those affected, with guidance being offered to Members on how to deal with associated concerns.
Resolved: The Cabinet:
- accepts the report; and
- requests that a further report to be presented to Cabinet in due course.
235 Councillor Services Group minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the Councillor Services Group from the 26 November 2008 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the minutes now submitted.
236 Joint Service Centre update (minute 208 refers): The Cabinet received a verbal update on the progress of the Joint Service Centre (JSC). The Service Director – Business Transformation made reference to the current financial situation in relation to the banks, which had delayed the financial close. She reported that the problems may have been addressed in such a manner as to permit early progress.
Members asked various questions on the report and gave their views.
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.
237 Wigan for Work European Programme Closure: The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Environmental Services which set out the financial implications of the European Objective 2 programme 2000 – 2006.
The report set out details of the alternative option to be considered.
The report would be considered by the Regeneration Panel on the 18 March 2009.
Resolved: The Cabinet approves the repayment of a grant by Business Support Solutions based on the GONW key performance indicators.
238 Heritage lottery fund project – Wigan History Shop – acceptance of tenders: The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Executive Director of Business Support Services, the Executive Director of Health and Wellbeing and the Chief Executive of Wigan Leisure and Cultural Trust seeking approval to accept tenders and to agree the contractor for the project.
There were no alternative options for consideration.
Resolved: The Cabinet accepts the tender now recommended.
(Councillor J B Baldwin declared personal and non-prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Board Member of Wigan and Leisure Culture Trust).
