Legal and Property Services Information Bulletin — Issue 23, April 2005

There follows some items from the Department’s workload which may be of interest to Members:-

Staffing Issues

New members to the Department are:-

Conveyancing

The following sales of land have been completed:-

Common Law

Prosecutions

There have been a number of successful prosecutions brought against parents who have failed to ensure their child’s attendance at school. Several have been made the subject of parenting orders. One mother recently received a suspended prison sentence.

Prosecutions have been brought against persons offering cars for sale on grass verges adjacent to the highway. One such "unauthorised street trader" was fined £500.

The owner of a local bakery pleaded guilty to a number of offences in breach of Food Hygiene Regulations. He was fined a total of £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,796.

Travellers

There have been a number of unauthorised encampments in the Three Sisters/South Lancashire Industrial Estate Area. There has also been an unauthorised encampment on the Wheatlea Industrial Estate. Court action was required to remove the travellers in all cases.

Representations on behalf of travellers have also been received in several cases from the Friends, Families and Travellers Organisation. This Organisation has been particularly keen to ensure that the travellers’ rights under the Human Rights legislation are observed.

Traffic Orders

A number of temporary orders to enable sewer works and works in connection with the Grade Arcade Scheme have been made.

Work is progressing on a number of permanent traffic orders throughout the Borough.

Contracts

Work is progressing on a number of schemes throughout the Borough.

Ombudsman

16 complaints are currently being investigated by the Ombudsman. 2 matters are being dealt with under the Council’s own Complaints Procedure. The Ombudsman has notified us of 6 complaints which she does not intend to pursue further. These include 4 complaints in which the Ombudsman is satisfied with the Council’s response or offer of local settlement and 2 complaints which the Ombudsman feels do not need to be investigated or are outside her jurisdiction.

Asset Management Services

Wigan Pier Regeneration Project

Following the grant of planning consent Cabinet has now nominated Ruddle Wilkinson as the preferred architects to design the new performance venue, which is to be constructed as part of this prestigious scheme.

Ruddle Wilkinson have previously been the Architects responsible for the design of the acclaimed Tally Ho performance venue in Barnet.

Leigh Sports Village

Cabinet have now agreed the terms for the Development Agreement which will facilitate a commencement on the LSV project.

They have also agreed to request Wigan Metropolitan Development Co. Ltd. to provide Company secretarial support to the LSV Management Company and a Director to act as the initial chair of that company.

Subject to resolution of outstanding legal matters a start on site is due to take place at the beginning of June 2005.

Joint Disposal of Land Tamar Lane End, Hindley

Cabinet has given authority for the acceptance of the tender, which will facilitate a joint disposal in respect of the above land, which is suitable for residential development.

Non-Operational Land Management Review

The Cabinet considered a report on new arrangements to be introduced for 2005/06 for the management of the Council’s Non-Operational Land Portfolio by the Director of Legal & Property Services.

The new arrangements envisage the phased transfer of Non-Operational land and related maintenance budgets to a single department and also included for a programme of reviews on the suitability and sufficiency of all Non-Operational land holdings.

Acquisition of Lease of Accommodation within the Ince LIFT scheme at Wilding St, Ince

Cabinet considered a report on the terms negotiated for a 25 year court registered underlease of ground and first floor accommodation within the NHS LIFT care facility at Wilding St, Ince. The accommodation would be used by various sections of Social Services Dept. to provide an integrated service with the PCT. In turn the Council would grant a licence to the Five Boroughs Partnership for use of the Integrated Community Mental Health Team.

Joint Service Centre PFI Scheme Bid

The Cabinet were advised that a further bid had been made to the office of the Deputy Prime Minister for a Joint Service Centre PFI Scheme in Wigan Town Centre.

The new scheme had removed elements of the original bids that were no longer required and was resourced neutral

Car Parking Provision within Wigan Town Centre

Cabinet considered a report outlining the perceived problems by Wigan retailers regarding car parking on Saturdays within Wigan Town Centre.

It was noted that demand had increased considerably for use of the Galleries NCP following demolition of other Car Parks for the Grand Arcade Scheme and it was noted that improved management arrangements were to be put in place with Da Vinci, the Council’s operator.

It was also decided that for a trial period of three months Chapel Lane Car Park should be made available free of charge as an overflow car park for shoppers on Saturdays.

Proposed acquisition of premises for Winstanley Community Centre

Cabinet have authorised the making of a bid to acquire surplus premises vacated as a result of a LIFT scheme and if successful will be made available to provide for a new Community Centre in the Winstanley area, to replace the existing outdated facilities at Anthorn Road.

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