Present at the meeting
- Councillor K Anderson (Cabinet Champion for Neighbourhood).
- Councillor J B Baldwin (Cabinet Champion for Cultural).
- Councillor G M Bretherton (Cabinet Champion for Equality and Young People).
- Councillor D T Molyneux (Cabinet Champion for Environment and Regeneration).
- Councillor P Prescott (Cabinet Champion for Lifestyle).
- Councillor C Ready (Cabinet Champion for Improvement).
- Councillor F B Walker (Cabinet Champion for Efficiency).
Officers in attendance
- Christine Charnock-Jones – Principal Committee Services Officer
- Stuart Cowley – Service Director, Strategy and Commissioning
- Ashley Crumbley – Chief Executive of Wigan and Leigh Housing
- Terry Dunn – Service Director – Customer Services
- Anne Goldsmith – Service Director - Transformation
- Sue Johnson – Deputy Chief Executive
- Kevin Lawson – Service Director, Borough Solicitor
- Peter Layland - Head of Housing and Community Regeneration
- Ken Lee – Director of Resources
- David Mather – Principal Public Relations Adviser.
- Janet Newton - Service Director – Wigan Schools for the Future
- David Skinley – Administrative Assistant – Democratic Services
- Andrew Taylor – Head of Finance Division
- Ken Wardale - Service Director - Regeneration and Communities
Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the Cabinet launched the ‘Ask the Cabinet’ web site.
Please note that where a resolution is in bold, then this determines that the report involved a key decision.
90 Apologies for absence: Councillor P R C Smith (Executive Leader).
Councillor K Cunliffe (Cabinet Champion for Healthier Communities and Older People) and Councillor Mrs S Loudon (Cabinet Champion for Children).
91 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 24 September 2009 were approved as a correct record.
92 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 |
Bid to Homes and Communities Agency for New Housing Development |
106 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the Council) |
| E2 |
Construction of road Linking Sherwood Crescent To Millers Lane, Platt Bridge |
107 |
3 (Information about the financial or business affairs of any person or organisation, including the Council) |
93 Building Schools for the Future (BSF) – Future Governance arrangements and contractual agreements: The Cabinet considered a report which was presented by the Service Director – Wigan Schools for the Future, Janet Newton and Service Director – Borough Solicitor, Kevin Lawson, which outlined the future governance arrangements of Cabinet, the Strategic Partnering Board, the joint working arrangements with Salford and the Local Education Partnership. The report also considered the Strategic Partnering Agreement which the Council would enter into with the Local Education Partnership to deliver the first wave of the Building Schools for the Future initiative in Wigan.
The report set out details of the alternative option. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to pursue the financial close to the BSF programme.
Members asked a number of questions and commented on the various aspects of the report.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- approves the entry of the Strategic Partnering Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement, the Co-operation Agreement and all other documents which are ancillary to these documents and necessary to give effect to the project and delegates authority to the Executive Director of Children and Young Peoples Services in consultation with the Service Director - Borough Solicitor and Service Director - Corporate Services, to approve the final detailed terms;
- approves the establishment of the governance arrangements as described in the report;
- approves the Council’s investment into the Local Education Partnership;
- authorises the Service Director - Corporate Services to complete all the necessary certificates under the Local Government Contracts Act 1997 and to give the indemnity in this regard as described in the report;
- agrees to appoint the Deputy Chief Executive, Sue Johnson as a Director of the Local Education Partnership; and
- agrees to receive a further report at the meeting on 19 November 2009.
94 Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 - New Executive Arrangements: The Cabinet considered a report, which was presented by the Service Director – Borough Solicitor, Kevin Lawson on the requirement of the Local Government Act 2000, as amended by the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, that the Council must choose a new form of executive arrangements. The legislation required a decision to be made by 31 December 2009 and the Council should select either a Leader and Cabinet model with a stronger role for the Leader or decide to change its governance arrangements to include an Elected Mayor. The report advised Members of the results of a recent consultation exercise.
The report set out details of the alternative option. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to comply with the legislation.
Members asked a number of questions and commented on the various aspects of the report.
A report would be submitted to a special Council meeting to be held on 4 November 2009.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- notes the requirements of the legislation; and
- recommends to Council, the Leader and Cabinet model with a stronger role for the Leader for implementation following the May 2010 elections.
95 Association of Greater Manchester Authorities - Amendments to Constitution: The Cabinet considered a report which was presented by the Service Director – Borough Solicitor and sought approval to proposed amendments to the Constitution of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA).
The report set out details of the alternative option. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to facilitate the operation of AGMA through its Executive Board and Commissions and to ensure appropriate delegations accordingly.
Members asked a number of questions and commented on the various aspects of the report.
The report would be considered by the Council at its meeting to be held on 4 November 2009.
Resolved: The Cabinet recommends that the Council approve the proposed amendments to the Constitution of the AGMA.
96 Quarter 1 Corporate Performance report: The Cabinet considered a report which was presented by the Deputy Chief Executive, Sue Johnson, and provided Members with an overview of performance at quarter 1 (2009/10) against the key performance indicators that the Council and its partners were accountable for, specifically through the National Indicator Set, Local Area Agreement (LAA) and Corporate Strategy.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Members asked a number of questions and commented on the various aspects of the report.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the contents of the report for monitoring purposes.
97 Adult Services Budget Monitoring (minute 81 refers): The Cabinet considered a report which was presented by the Service Director, Strategy and Commissioning, Stuart Cowley and informed Members of the budget monitoring position for Adults Services after the first 5 months of 2009/10. The report also highlighted the budgetary issues that would need to be addressed during the year.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Members asked a number of questions and commented on the various aspects of the report.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the contents of the report for monitoring purposes.
98 Peer Review of the Local Strategic Partnership: The Cabinet considered a report which was presented by the Deputy Chief Executive, and informed Members of proposals and preparation work for a Peer Review of the Local Strategic Partnership (Wigan Borough Partnership) in November 2009.
The report set out details of the alternative option. The reason for selecting the one recommended was proposed as a positive option to support improvement in the approach to partnership working as there were no formal inspections of Local Strategic Partnerships.
Members asked a number of questions and commented on the various aspects of the report.
The report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee (minute 58 refers) and a copy of the extract was available at the meeting.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the arrangements being made for the peer reviews.
99 Draft Gambling Policy 2010 – 2013 (minute 44 refers): The Cabinet considered a report which was presented by the Service Director - Regeneration and Communities, Ken Wardale and informed Members of the results of the consultation on the draft review of the Gambling Policy Statement and proposed amendments where necessary.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Members asked a number of questions and commented on the various aspects of the report.
The report had been considered by the Licensing Committee (minute 22 refers) and a copy of the extract was available at the meeting. The report would also be considered by the Council at its meeting to be held on 4 November 2009.
Resolved: The Cabinet endorses the draft Gambling Policy Statement.
(Councllor J B Baldwin declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is National President of the National Union of Labour and Socialist Clubs).
100 Draft Licensing Policy 2010-2011 (minute 45 refers): The Cabinet considered a report which was presented by the Service Director - Regeneration and Communities, Ken Wardale and informed Members of the results of the consultation on the draft review of the Licensing Policy Statement and proposed amendments where necessary.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Members asked a number of questions and commented on the various aspects of the report.
The report had been considered by the Licensing Committee (minute 23 refers) and a copy of the extract was available at the meeting. The report would also be considered by the Council at its meeting to be held on 4 November 2009.
Resolved: The Cabinet endorses the draft Licensing Policy Statement.
101 Equality Framework for Local Government: This item was withdrawn and will be considered at the next meeting.
102 Business Continuity Arrangements: The Cabinet considered a report which was presented by the Service Director – Customer Services, Terry Dunn, on the Council’s arrangements for maintaining services during the Swine Flu pandemic.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Members asked a number of questions and commented on the various aspects of the report.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the report and the position statement.
103 Councillor Services Group Minutes – 7 October 2009: The Minutes of the meeting of the Councillor Services Group held on 7 October 2009 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the minutes now submitted.
104 Single Commissioning Agency – Joint Shadow Board 1 October 2009: The Minutes of the meeting of the Single Commissioning Agency – Joint Shadow Board held on 1 October 2009 were submitted for information.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the minutes now submitted.
105 Feedback from Scrutiny Committees (if any): There was none.
106 Bid to Homes and Communities Agency for New Housing Development (minute 84 refers): The Cabinet considered a report, which was presented by the Head of Housing and Community Regeneration, Peter Layland, on possible bids for a new housing build and to update Members on the progress of earlier bids to the Housing and Communities Agency (HCA).
The report set out details of the alternative option. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to submit the relevant bids.
Members asked a number of questions and commented on the various aspects of the report.
Resolved: The Cabinet:
accepts the report; and
- agrees that following consultation with the Executive Directors of Environmental Services and Business Support Services and the Cabinet Champion for Affordable Housing, a bid be submitted to the Homes and Communities Agency for additional affordable housing within the required timescale;
- grants a lease of land at Kay Close, Scholes to Wigan and Leigh Housing Company Limited (WALH) for a term of 99 years at a peppercorn rent for development as affordable housing;
- enter into an agreement with WALH to secure the amounts loaned to the Company to enable the development to proceed;
- enter into an agreement to secure the use of the Council’s capital contribution for purposes in connection with the development; and
- enter into a performance guarantee with the Homes and Communities Agency guaranteeing WALH’s obligation under its own grant agreements with the Agency.
107 Construction of road Linking Sherwood Crescent to Millers Lane, Platt Bridge (minute 86 refers): The Cabinet considered a report which was presented Service Director – Borough Solicitor, which sought an instruction from the Cabinet in relation to the proposed construction of a road linking Sherwood Crescent and Millers Lane, Platt Bridge to facilitate the development of land and to meet contractual obligations.
The report set out details of the alternative option. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to open up the land for development.
Members asked a number of questions and commented on the various aspects of the report.
Resolved: The Cabinet authorises the construction of the road, the funding to be provided by way of prudential borrowing on the basis that the cost of such borrowing can be met from future capital receipts of the land opened up for development.
108 Reform of Council Housing Finance: The Deputy Leader agreed to consider this item as a matter of urgency, the special circumstances being the need to obviate any delay.
The Cabinet considered a joint report which was presented by the Director of Resources, Wigan and Leigh Housing, Ken Lee and updated Members on the current review of Council Housing Finance and provided details of the response from Wigan Council.
The report set out details of the alternative option. The reason for selecting the one recommended was to attempt to secure the best possible chance of a system that benefits Wigan Council and its tenants.
Members asked a number of questions and commented on the various aspects of the report.
Resolved: The Cabinet notes the report and endorses the response to the proposals.
109 Barbers pole, Leigh: The Deputy Leader agreed to consider this item as a matter of urgency, the special circumstances being the need to obviate any delay.
The Deputy Leader referred to the adverse publicity which the Council had received following its request for the removal of a barbers pole on Chapel Street, Leigh on the grounds of health and safety
Members were of the opinion that cases such as these should be judged on their own merits in future.
Resolved: The Cabinet agrees to the reinstatement of the barbers pole on this occasion and requests the Executive Director of Environmental Services be requested to liaise with the shop owner accordingly and apologise for any disruption to his trade.
