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 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 (Vice Chairman)
- Councillor J S Birch
- Councillor G M Bretherton
- Councillor M A Dewhurst
- Councillor J Ellis
- Councillor G W Fairhurst
- Councillor Ms P L Holland
- Councillor Mrs J Hurst
- Councillor M Klieve
- Councillor C Rigby
- Councillor R T Splaine
- Councillor F B Walker
- Councillor N R Whittingham
- Councillor G Wilkes
Co-opted Members
- Rev Deacon R Moore
- Mr B Turrell
9 Apologies for Absence: Councillors Mrs B Bourne, H L Cadman, R J Derricutt, B J Fagan, T W Halliwell, J Hilton, P Thompson, P A Tushingham and Mrs M J Whiteside and Mr D Barber and Rev R Buckley.
10 Minutes: The minutes of the joint meeting held on 7 January 2009 were approved as a correct record.
11 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.
Items subject to confirmation by the Council:
12 Capital project appraisal, Capital programme 2009/10 – 2010/11 and the prudential code for capital finance in local authorities: The meeting 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.
The Cabinet had considered the report at minute 230 and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee were advised of Cabinet’s decisions.
Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the proposals set out in the report now submitted and taking account of this, the Cabinet confirms its decision and refers the report to Council on 11 March 2009 for approval as part of the budget framework.
(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. Mr B Turrell declared personal and non-prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Member of a rugby club that uses Leigh Sports Village).
13 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital and Revenue Estimates 2009/10: The meeting 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 Cabinet had considered the report at minute 231 and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee were advised of Cabinet’s decisions.
Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the proposals set out in the report now submitted and taking account of this, the Cabinet confirms its decision and refers the report to Council on 11 March 2009 for approval as part of the budget framework.
(Councillor Ms P L Holland declared personal and non-prejudicial interest in this item because she is related to the Chairman of Wigan Homes’ Board).
14 Annual Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) policy statement (minute 42 refers): The meeting considered a report of the Service Director – Corporate Services seeking approval for the Minimum Revenue Provision for 2009/10.
The Cabinet had considered the report at minute 232 and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee were advised of Cabinet’s decisions.
A Member referred to the costs associated with policing and the affect on the Council Tax Payer. Reference was made to the three year agreement that had been negotiated with the police and the subsequent reduction in crime in certain areas of the borough.
Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the proposals set out in the report now submitted and taking account of this, the Cabinet confirms its decision and refers the report to Council on 11 March 2009 for approval as part of the budget framework.
15 Revenue budget 2009/10 and Medium Term Forecast for 2009/10 – 2010/11: The meeting 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.
The Executive Leader referred to the freeze on school meal prices in view of the economic down turn and also on encouraging the further use of credit union services throughout the borough. The Executive Director Business Support Services confirmed that the loss of income on school meals would be met from balances.
The Executive Leader reminded members that the 7.5% increase in the Greater Manchester Police precept had been agreed each year for three years from 2008-09 to 2010-11 by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) in return for additional police resource. This is being monitored by AGMA. Councillor C Rigby agreed to present to Council the increases in police resource since April 2008.
The Cabinet had considered the report at minute 233 and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee were advised of Cabinet’s decisions.
Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the proposals set out in the report now submitted and taking account of this, the Cabinet confirms its decision and refers the report to Council on 11 March 2009 for approval as part of the budget framework.
(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. Mr B Turrell declared personal and non-prejudicial interest in this item because he is a Member of the Rugby League Committee at Leigh East.
Leader
