Present at the meeting:
- Councillor P R C Smith (Executive Leader)
- Councillor K Anderson (Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood).
- Councillor J B Baldwin (Portfolio Holder for Cultural).
- Councillors G M Bretherton (Portfolio Holder for Equality and Young People)
- Councillor K Cunliffe (Portfolio Holder for Healthier Communities and Older People)
- Councillor Mrs S Loudon (Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People).
- Councillor D T Molyneux (Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration).
- Councillor P Prescott (Portfolio Holder for Lifestyle).
- Councillor C Ready (Portfolio Holder for Improvement).
- Councillor F B Walker (Portfolio Holder for Efficiency).
Officers in attendance
- Gillian Bishop – Interim Executive Director of Environmental Services
- Christine Charnock-Jones – Principal Committee Services Officer
- Sonia Halliwell – Senior H R Consultant as observer
- Rodney Hill – Chief Executive of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust
- Nick Hudson – Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services
- Sue Johnson – Deputy Chief Executive
- Kevin Lawson – Service Director, Borough Solicitor
- Paul McKevitt – Service Director, Corporate Services
- David Mather – Principal Public Relations Advisor
- David Smith – Executive Director of Business Support Services
- Bernard Walker - Executive Director; Health and Wellbeing
Please note that where a resolution is in bold, then this determines that the report involved a key decision.
172 Apologies for absence: There were none.
173 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 21 January 2010 were approved as a correct record.
174 City Region Governance – Consultation on future arrangements for Greater Manchester (minute 149 refers): The Cabinet considered a report of the Service Director – Borough Solicitor, Kevin Lawson which sought Members views on a consultation paper issued by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) as part of a review of governance arrangements in Greater Manchester.
The Service Director referred to the main points contained within the report.
The report set out details of the alternative option to be considered. These were to either support or oppose the proposals in whole or in part.
Members asked a number of questions and commented on the various aspects of the report.
Councillor K Cunliffe (Portfolio Holder for Healthier Communities and Older People) asked why Wigan was not represented on the Greater Manchester Health Care Commission.
The report would be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee at its meeting to be held on 8 February 2010, following consideration by Cabinet. However, as the responses to the consultation paper were required by 15 February 2010, a delegated authority was required in order to take into account the views of that Committee.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- supports the proposals;
- agrees that in view of the timescale involved, the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Executive Leader, be authorised to take account of the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee when the views of the Cabinet are forwarded in response to the consultation; and
- agrees that consideration be given to representation on the Greater Manchester Health Care Commission by Wigan Council
175 Development of Wigan Youth Facility (minutes 76 and 113 (b) refer): The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services, Nick Hudson, which updated Members on the proposal to develop a youth facility and on its future operation.
The Executive Director referred to the main points contained within the report.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Members asked a number of questions and commented on the various aspects of the report.
Reference was made to the success of the Bolton Lads and Girls Club and on how this development was consistent with the Council’s ‘things to do, places to go strategy.’
Members stressed the importance of building into on-going arrangements for such a development liaison with the local community and young people. Reference was made to the avoidance of duplication in services provided by the facility and of the need to continue to work with the schools to increase the flow of income from the facility.
Resolved: The Cabinet:-
- accepts the report; and
- agrees that the Officers meet with ‘On Side’ and suggest that they set up a Liaison Committee to enable interested parties to give their views regarding the facility.
(Councillor P Prescott declared a prejudicial interest in this item as he is Chairman of the Council’s Planning Committee and left the meeting during the discussion thereon.)
