Key decisions and updates of the Full Council, Wednesday 28 November

Key decisions and updates of the Full Council, Wednesday 28 November

Welcome to our round-up from the latest meeting with all of Wigan Council’s elected members.

View the Agenda for Council on Wednesday, 27th November, 2024.

King’s Award for voluntary services

The Mayor of Wigan Borough, Councillor Debbie Parkinson, opened the meeting by congratulating the community organisations who were recently included on the list of new recipients of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. The award is equivalent to an MBE and is awarded for life. It's announced every year on 14 November, the King's birthday. The organisations are:

• Butts Park Community Bowling Club
• Empathy Northwest
• Happy Smiles Training CIC
• Leigh Miners Rangers Rugby League Academy
• Shevington and District Community Association.

Youth cabinet

Eddie, Alex and Thomas from the Wigan and Leigh Youth Parliament addressed the chamber about their work in the borough and also their representative responsibilities with UK’s Youth Parliament.

Alex said one of his priorities is improved mental health services and also cheaper or even free provision for young people to engage with as cost should not be a barrier.

Thomas explained that he would like to see old and unused buildings in the borough brought back to life to provide services for young people.

And Eddie said he had pledged to work with local decision makers to source more funding for both council and third sector ran projects for young people.

For more information about Youth Cabinet: Youth Cabinet

Cabinet updates

During this regular section of full council, the cabinet members are invited to provide information to colleagues about projects in their area of responsibility.

Councillor Dane Anderton, who oversees the police and civil contingencies workstreams, referenced the council’s support of White Ribbon Day and the 16 Days of Action.

His update included a progress report on the council’s dedicated domestic abuse campaign; Love Is Not Abuse.

Find more information about the campaign and the 16 Days of Action for 2024.

Meanwhile, Councillor Nazia Rehman thanked all the organisations, staff and volunteers that were part of Remembrance Day commemorations this year and Councillor Susan Gambles informed colleagues that the figure of funds that have been redistributed to borough families as part of Here For You’s income maximisation work now totals more than £6m.

For more information about our cost-of-living campaign on our Here For You webpgaes.

Reports tabled for approval

A key part of the full council agenda are reports detailing new or refreshed policies from the council that elected members are invited to comment on and then vote on whether the course of action they are suggesting should be approved.

This time round, members agreed reports on subjects such as the 2025/26 schedule of council meetings and the appointment of local authority governors for schools across the borough.

Also approved was a report detailing a refreshed strategy for how the council approaches cases of condensation, damp and mould related issues within its own housing stock.

Finally, a report outlining the rights of markets in the borough and how the council’s historic links to its traditional markets will be maintained.

Notice of motions

Two motions were debated at the meeting.

Motions are proposed by one member and seconded by a colleague. This means they present the motion to the chamber. It is opened up for debate, meaning all members can speak on that subject should they choose to. The proposer and seconder are then asked to ‘sum up’ before it goes to the vote.

The first, proposed by Councillor Stuart Gerrard, saw several emotional speeches given it was such an emotive subject.

The motion called on the council to recognise Baby Loss Awareness Week each year and commit to helping residents access relevant support services in tragic circumstances.

It was approved with unanimous support across the chamber.

The second was proposed by Councillor Laura Flynn, which detailed the success of local bus services in the borough following them coming back under public control in GM.

The motion called on the council to thank the Mayor of Greater Manchester for the above and encourage further improvements and the expansion of public transport links for residents across the borough.

It was approved following a vote.

The next meeting is scheduled is Wednesday, January 22.