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 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).
- Councillor J Moodie (Chairman)
- Councillor N R Whittingham (Vice Chairman)
- Councillor N A Bradbury
- Councillor Ms P L Holland
- Councillor J D O’Brien
- Councillor Mrs J Prescott
- Councillor C Rigby
- Councillor P Thompson
- Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside
- Councillor R Winkworth
- Councillor G Wilkes
Officers in attendance
- Gillian Bishop – Interim Executive Director of Environmental Services
- Christine Charnock-Jones – Principal Committee Services Officer
- Stuart Cowley – Service Director, Strategy and Commissioning
- Ashley Crumbley – Chief Executive of Wigan and Leigh Housing
- Kevin Lawson – Service Director, Borough Solicitor
- Paul McKevitt – Service Director, Corporate Services
- Steve Peddie – Service Director, Customer Transformation
- David Smith – Executive Director of Business Support Services
1 Apologies for Absence: Councillors K Cunliffe (Portfolio Holder for Healthier Communities and Older People), N D Ash, B J Fagan and P A Tushingham and Rev Deacon R Moore, Mr D Barber, Rev R Buckley and K A Stokes.
2 Minutes: The minutes of the joint meeting held on 23 February 2009 were approved as a correct record.
3 Whipping declarations: Government guidance expected Members of the Scrutiny Committee not to act in accordance with party whipping and that, if they did, they were to declare it.
There were no declarations made.
4 Financial and Performance summary report quarter three: The meeting considered a report of the Service Director – Corporate Services, Paul McKevitt, informing Members of the progress on budgets against spending to the end of December 2010, together with the high level associated performance information. The report reviewed the operation and exercise of delegated Treasury Management powers.
The Service Director referred to the main points contained within the report.
There were no alternative options available for consideration.
Members asked various questions on the report and gave their views.
Reference was made in particular to the extra maintenance costs due to the recent adverse weather conditions and the Service Director explained that there had been an underspend last year on the highway maintenance budget and that this money was being used towards the costs. The Interim Executive Director of Environmental Services, Gillian Bishop confirmed that the repairs were ongoing using the current core budget for this purpose.
A Member referred to the costs associated with ‘Looked After Children’ and the Service Director explained that the issue was being reviewed at the present time. The Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People made reference to early intervention programmes that were taking place.
The Cabinet had considered the report at minute 188 and the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee were advised of Cabinet’s decisions.
Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee notes the proposals set out in the report now submitted.
(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. Councillor P Prescott declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item because of his wife’s employment within a Care Home. Councillor Mrs J Prescott declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item because of her employment within a Care Home.)
Items subject to confirmation by the Council:
5 Capital project appraisal, Capital programme 2010/11 – 2011/12 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 2010/11, 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 2010/11 to 2012/13.
The Cabinet had considered the report at minute 184 and the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee were advised of Cabinet’s decisions which included the following amendments to the report:-
- to receive a further report on the risks associated with treasury management activities;
- requests the Officers to consider the alternative funding streams for the replacement Mayoral car and present a report on the business case to Cabinet;
- supports the continuation of the alley gates project and requests the Officers to consider the alternative funding streams available; and
- requests the Officers to investigate the possibility of match funding the grant from NWDA to undertake works to the Turnpike Gallery, Leigh.
Members asked various questions on the report and gave their views.
A Member referred to the possibility of deferring the entry of contracts on elements of Building Schools for the future affected by an adjudication and village green application. The Service Director, Borough Solicitor explained the nature of existing contractual arrangements under which contracts for construction were not entered at this stage while the relevant Outline Business Case was progressed. An explanation was also given in relation to any impact on Wigan schemes of a change to the Salford programme
Concern was expressed at the purchase of a new Mayoral car during the recession and Members were advised that Cabinet had requested an appraisal of the replacement vehicle at a future meeting.
Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating 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 3 March 2010 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. Councillor Mrs M J Whiteside a declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because she is a governor of Westleigh High School, appointed by the Council. Councillor C Rigby a declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a governor of Bedford High School, appointed by the Council.)
6 Revenue budget 2009/10 and Medium Term Forecast for 2010/11 – 2010/11: The meeting considered a report of the Executive Director of Business Support Services, presented by the Service Director – Corporate 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 2010/11.
The Cabinet had considered the report at minute 185 and the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee were advised of Cabinet’s decisions.
The Service Director referred to the main points contained within the report. He reported that the proposed Gambling Act 2005 fees 2010/11 would now be increased by 5% and not by 1.5% as originally stated in the report and that this change would bring in increased revenue of approximately £2,000.
Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating 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 3 March 2010 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. Councillor C Rigby declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because he is a member of the Greater Manchester Pension Scheme.)
7 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital and Revenue Estimates 2010/11: The meeting considered a joint report of the Executive Director of Business Support Services, the interim Executive Director of Environmental Services, Gillian Bishop and the Chief Executive of Wigan and Leigh Housing, Ashley Crumbley, which recommended a proposal for HRA Capital and Revenue estimates for 2010/11.
The Cabinet had considered the report at minute 186 and the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee were advised of Cabinet’s decisions.
Resolved: The Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating 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 3 March 2010 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. Councillors Mrs M J Whiteside and F B Walker declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because they are Board Members of Wigan and Leigh Housing.)
Leader
