Present at the meeting:
- Councillor D T Molyneux (Cabinet Champion)(In the Chair)
- Councillor Mrs J Beswick
- Councillor R M Bleakley
- Councillor R Clayton
- Councillor Mrs P Cullen
- Councillor S Dawber
- Councillor W Rotherham
- Councillor Mrs A Turnock
Co-opted Members
- Mr G Davies
- Mr J Healen
- Mr D McQueen
53 Apologies for absence: Councillor N D Ash, J S Birch, J Haley and Mrs J M Peet.
54 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Panel held on 28 January 2009 were approved as a correct record.
55 Environmental education – Eco-Schools: The Panel received a presentation from an Environmental Education Co-ordinator, on the Eco-Schools Programme. The programme was administrated by EnCams in England, there were four categories that schools could achieve: registered, bronze, silver and green flag. The programme covered nine themes in total. The Environmental Education Co-ordinator gave an example of a theme and presented to Members how the Environmental Education team would support the school with the theme and listed what benefits an Eco-School could bring. The presentation also gave examples of other campaigns the Environmental Education team were involved in both nationally and locally.
The Panel asked questions, to which the Executive Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel:
- notes the presentation now submitted; and
- thanks the Environmental Education Co-ordinator for the presentation.
56 Seatbelt and mobile phone misuse driving campaign: The Panel considered a report of the Executive Director of Environmental Services, that informed Members of the outcome of a road safety enforcement exercise, which was undertaken in partnership with the Council’s Road Safety Officers, Greater Manchester Police and the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
The Panel asked questions, to which the Executive Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel:
- notes the report now submitted; and
- endorses the partnership approach to enforcement and education in making the roads of Wigan safer for all.
57 Road Safety Communication Plan 2009 - 2011: The Panel considered a report of the Executive Director of Environmental Services, which informed Members of the proposed targeted road safety communications for 2009 to 2011 and the work identified within the plan.
A Co-opted Member suggested the possibility of the Council and the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust working together on a strategy to consider a reduction in alcohol related accidents.
Agreed: The Panel:
- notes the contents of the report; and
- endorses the plan and its partnership approach to publicising road safety messages within the borough.
58 Pavement Café/Trade display policy: The Panel considered a report of the Executive Director of Environmental Services, which informed Members of a proposal to introduce a policy relating to the issue of pavement café or trade display licences.
The Panel asked questions, to which the Executive Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel:
- notes the report now submitted; and
- requests the Executive Director of Environmental Services to undertake further consultation with traders.
59 Active Travel: A strategy for encouraging walking: The Panel considered a report of the Executive Director of Environmental Services, which informed Members of the work being undertaken to encourage people to walk for health, congestion relieving and other environmental benefits.
The Panel asked questions, to which the Executive Director of Environmental Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel:
- notes the content of the report now submitted;
- endorses the detail of the action plan; and
- agrees that the Executive Director of Environmental Services would distribute a copy of the walking/cycling guide for the borough to Members in due course.
60 Vote of thanks: Agreed: The best thanks of this Panel are extended to the Cabinet Champion and the officers for the excellent services rendered by them during the past Municipal Year.
