Present at the meeting:
- Counciilor M Aldred (Chairman)
- Councillor J Moodie (Vice Chairman)
- Councillor J S Birch
- Councillor G M Bretherton
- Councillor B J Fagan
- Councillor Ms P L Holland
- Councillor Mrs J Hurst
- Councillor R T Splaine
- Councillor P Thompson
- Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside
- Councillor N R Whittingham
Co-opted Members
- Rev Deacon R Moore
- Mr B Turrell
142 Welcome to new Members: On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman extended a warm welcome to Councillors N A Bradbury and J N Grundy, new Members of this Committee.
143 Apologies for absence: Councillors J Miller (Vice Chairman), Mrs B Bourne, H L Cadman, M A Dewhurst, G W Fairhurst, M Klieve, C Rigby, P A Tushingham, F B Walker and G Wilkes and Mr D Barber and Rev R Buckley.
144 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 9 February 2009 were approved as a correct record.
145 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.
146 Tenancy agreement: The Committee considered a joint report of the Executive Director of Environmental Services and the Chief Executive of Wigan and Leigh Housing seeking approval to change the Council’s secure and introductory tenancy agreements, including changing the current system of collecting rent one week in arrears.
A separate note on the proposed changes to the Council’s Tenancy agreement was circulated at the meeting by the Chief Executive of Wigan and Leigh Housing.
Members asked questions on the report and received responses from the Officers.
The Executive Director of Business Support Services reported on a recent decision by the Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP (Minister of State for Housing and Planning), that if authorities were prepared to revisit the level of rents set and reduce them then there would be the option to bid for additional subsidy. The national average guideline would be halved from 6.2 to 3.1 per cent, therefore the subsidy position of authorities would be changed for those Councils who reduce the actual average increase in rents for 2009/10 in line with the new national average.
The report would be considered by the Council at its meeting to be held on 11 March 2009.
Resolved: The Committee:-
- agrees to the proposed changes to the secure and introductory tenancy agreement; and
- agrees that a variation notice be issued to all tenants.
(Councillor Ms P L Holland declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item as her partner’s father is Chairman of Wigan Homes’ Board. Councillor P Thompson declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item as he is a private landlord. Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item because she is a Board Member of Wigan and Leigh Housing and left the meeting at this point).
147 Customer access strategy and complaints procedure: The Committee considered a report of the Head of Customer Services, which informed Members of the customer access strategy and complaints procedures and how these procedures were to be implemented.
The report would be considered by the Audit Governance and Improvement Committee at its meeting on 26 March 2009.
Members asked questions on the report and received responses from the Officers.
Resolved: The Committee:-
- supports the implementation of the customer access strategy and complaints procedures as now submitted; and
- agrees to receive a further report on the customer access strategy and complaints procedures in 12 months time.
148 Questions (if any) on the Business of the Cabinet: There were none.
149 Questions on the business of the forward plan: The Chairman suggested that further information be brought to this Committee on the anti social behaviour strategy and the youth capital fund.
Resolved: The Committee notes the report and awaits further information on the anti social behaviour strategy and the youth capital fund.
150 Select Committee No 1 (PACT’s) minutes – 10 February 2009: The minutes of the meeting of Select Committee No.1 (PACTs) held on 10 February 2009 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Overview and Scrutiny Committee Select Committee No. 1 – PACTs 10 February 2009
Present at the meeting:
- Councillor J S Birch (Chairman)
- Councillor B J Fagan
- Councillor M Klieve
- Councillor J Moodie
- Councillor P A Tushingham
150.1 Apologies for absence: Councillors M Aldred, Mrs B Bourne, Ms P L Holland and R T Splaine.
150.2 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Select Committee held on 8 December 2008 were approved as a correct record.
150.3 Interview on PACT Process with the Service Director – Business Transformation, Wigan Council: The Service Director – Business Transformation gave a presentation on the progress in connection with the review of the Township Fora, their effectiveness and terms of reference; and forward-looking consultation work with evolution of Forum responsibilities in relation to PACTs, associated policy and process very much to the fore.
Members asked a number of questions covering:
- arrangements proposed to ensure connection of the PACT process with mainstream service planning and the work of Township Fora on policy development and progression of high-level strategic priorities;
- PACT scrutiny process as it is envisaged evolving, and the prospective part of Townships/PACTs in joint commissioning across localities;
- the Council’s intended approach to measuring ‘value added’ through investment in community involvement, collaboration and capacity-building (PACTs, Township Fora and the Community Empowerment Networks being key vehicles for progression and co-ordination of these important work strands);
- forward proposals on Forum membership; new terms of reference; a code of conduct and refreshed approach to ‘managing the politics’; voting rights/decision-making process; and the allocation of budget and developmental officer resource; and
- the next steps intended towards conclusion of this work.
Resolved: The Select Committee:
- thanks the Service Director – Business Transformation for her attendance, presentation and informative responses to the questions put;
- requests a copy of the report on the Townships’ review as soon as it becomes available so that it can appraise consultation findings, strategic and operational recommendations and factor considered observations into their review of PACTs effectiveness; and
- asks that all Elected Members are kept up to date on the “more detailed work.” The Service Director – Business Transformation acknowledges as necessary on Township Forums’ way of working, through further refinement with current Forum members, presentation and debate at Cabinet and iterative policy development work in follow-up.
150.4 PACT Review Process: Work Plan Update: The Policy Officer submitted a summary of officer responses to interview questions put over the course of this review to date and a synopsis of key messages from agency dialogue, were circulated for Members’ reference. Their reflections and feedback were invited.
The Policy Officer also updated the Select Committee on the progress with desk-top research into the good practice community involvement models set in place by other Local Authorities and scope for local learning and improvement informed by their experiences. Particular reference was made to the locality working arrangements set in place by Lancashire County Council, following the Support Officer’s recent visit to County Hall in Preston; South Tyneside’s participatory appraisal and community involvement arrangements in reflection on research work initiated by Councillor Holland’s lead following her attendance at a London Conference; and works on-going in Newham.
The opportunity of a visit to speak with Members, Officers and local people in Knowsley was noted and prospective dates shared. All Select Committee Members present considered the opportunity to see another Local Authority’s approach to locality working in action on the grounds of being very worthwhile in composition of their report on PACTs’ review and identification of the scope for improvement.
The Policy Officer committed, in concluding her update, to prepare a draft report for circulation to Select Committee Members in advance of their next meeting.
Resolved: The Select Committee:
- thanks the Policy Officer for her hard work to date in the co-ordination of the PACTs’ review;
- agrees to support the Knowsley visit, once a date and programme are set; and
- looks forward to receipt of the draft report and opportunity of discussion on the formative recommendations, their amendment and addition.
150.5 Date and time of future meetings: Resolved: The next meeting of this Select Committee will be held at Wigan Town Hall on 25 February 2009 at 6.00 pm.
Chairman
151 Select Committee No 1 (PACTs) minutes – 25 February 2009: The minutes of the meeting of Select Committee No 1 (PACTs) held on 25 February 2009 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Overview and Scrutiny Committee Select Committee No. 1 – PACTs 25 February 2009
Present at the meeting:
- Councillor J S Birch (Chairman)
- Councillor Ms P L Holland
- Councillor R T Splaine
151.1 Apologies for absence: Councillors M. Aldred, Mrs B. Bourne, B J Fagan, M Klieve, J Moodie, P Thompson and P A Tushingham.
151.2 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2009 were approved as a correct record.
151.3 PACT Review Process- Work Plan Update: The Policy Officer gave a presentation on the Select Committee’s progress with review and research works responsive to the terms of reference and objectives agreed by Members in August 2008. Drawing on evidence from officer interviews, select committee discussion, desk-top research, telephone enquiries with and study visits to neighbouring Local Authorities, the Policy Officer invited comments on the improvement challenges identified and recommendations proposed for inclusion in the final report.
Resolved: The Select Committee:
- requests that Members email the Policy Officer with feedback on their own experiences of PACT, value-added and tangible results achieved in their Wards before 5.00 pm on 5 March 2009;
- agree to review and respond on the first full draft report by 12 March 2009 on condition of its electronic circulation during the week commencing 2 March 2009;
- chooses 23 March 2009 as their preferred date for a study visit to Knowsley Borough Council to talk with Officers and Members about community involvement/neighbourhood working arrangements in place there and scope for learning from their experiences; and
- thanks the Policy Officer for her leadership of the PACT review through 2008/09 and the Support Officer for his commitment.
151.4 Date and time of future meetings: Resolved: The next meeting of this Select Committee will only be held if the Chair, Members and Officers consider it necessary prior to the final report’s submission and presentation.
Chairman
152 Select Committee No 3 (Tendering) minutes – 18 February 2009: The minutes of the meeting of Select Committee No 3 (Tendering) held on 18 February 2009 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Overview and Scrutiny Select Committee No. 3 - Tendering 18 February 2009
Present at the meeting:
- Councillor G Wilkes (Chairman)
- Councillor H L Cadman
- Councillor B J Fagan
152.1 Apologies for absence: Councillors Mrs M J Whiteside, Mrs B Bourne and G W Fairhurst and Reverend Deacon R Moore (Co-opted member)
152.2 Presentations from the Service Manager, Adult Services: The Service Manager, Adult Services gave a presentation on the tendering procedures followed by that Department. He outlined the types of contracts managed; the help the Department received corporately and the move towards framework agreements as part of the personalisation agenda.
Resolved: The Select Committee:
- thanks the Service Manager, Adult Services for his presentation; and
- agrees that it is satisfied that the Adult Services Department are ensuring probity and are managing contracts satisfactorily.
152.3 Draft Final Report: The Policy Officer tabled an outline of the final report on tendering.
Resolved: The Select Committee agrees with the draft outline of the final report.
152.4 Date and time of next meeting: Resolved: The next meeting of this Select Committee be held at 4.00 pm on Monday, 9 March 2009.
Chairman
153 Select Committee No 4 (Health) minutes – 25 February 2009: The minutes of the meeting of Select Committee No 4 (Health) held on 25 February 2009 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Committee notes the minutes now submitted as referred to below:
Overview and Scrutiny Committee Select Committee No 4 – Health 25 February 2009
Present at the meeting:
- Councillor G M Bretherton, (Chairman)
- Councillor C Rigby
- Councillor Mrs J Hurst
- Councillor M W Winstanley
- Councillor B J Fagan
153.1 Apologies for absence: Councillors M A Dewhurst and Ms P L Holland.
153.2 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Select Committee held on 28 January 2009 were approved as a correct record.
153.3 Adult Services - presentation on hospital discharge process: The Select Committee received a presentation from the Service Manager - Adults Services and colleagues regarding the assessment and discharge process.
Resolved: The Select Committee:
- thanks the Service Manager – Adult Services and colleagues for the presentation; and
- requests that details of the recommendations be forwarded to D. Taylor.
153.4 Update on health Inequalities: The Select Committee received an update on the progress on health Inequalities from D Taylor.
Resolved: The Select Committee notes the report and thanks D Taylor for the update.
153.5 Topic update: The Select Committee received a verbal update on the progress on the topic areas and reports from D Taylor.
Resolved: The Select Committee notes the report and thanks D Taylor for the update.
153.6 Date and time of next meeting: Resolved: The next meeting of the Select Committee will be held on Wednesday, 25 March 2009 at 6.00 p.m. at Wigan Town Hall.
Chairman
