Key decisions from the meeting of the Full Council, Wednesday 24 July

Welcome to our round-up from the latest meeting with all of Wigan Council’s elected members. View the agenda for the proceedings (external link).

A new era for Wigan Borough

Wigan Council’s masterplan for the next decade and beyond was approved by elected members.

Entitled ‘Progress with Unity: A new era for Wigan Borough’, the plan outlines two key missions for how the local authority, along with its partners, will create a fairer and more prosperous borough.

Two key missions have been identified:

• Create fair opportunities for all children, families, residents and businesses
• Make all our towns and neighbourhoods flourish for those who live and work in them

Read more about the plan on the Progress with Unity.

Operational reports such as this one are often near the top of the agenda and outline key programmes or projects that are important to the council. Members are asked to vote on whether they approve the report and therefore support the recommended course of action.

Speaking at the meeting, deputy leader Councillor Keith Cunliffe explained that Progress with Unity will keep adapting and will be shaped by everyone.

He said: “This is not the final version of our movement. Its foundations are built on the extensive engagement we have carried out, but will change and adapt over time.

“We know that to be successful, the plan needs to be shaped by all our residents and that means fundamentally shifting the relationship between citizen and state from ‘us’ and ‘them’ to ‘together we’.”

National recognition for parks and greenspaces

In recent weeks, several parks in Wigan Borough have been awarded Green Flag status, reflecting that they are maintained to the highest standards.

Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, proposed a motion thanking the staff and volunteers responsible for the parks.

A motion submitted at meetings like the full council is a subject topic that an elected member believes is an important issue. It is discussed in the chamber and has an action that is either ‘carried’ or ‘lost’ as a result of a vote.

The motion was carried, meaning the council formally recognised the vote of thanks from elected members who ‘work tirelessly in our parks and the council will invite the relevant minister to see the impact on the wellbeing of our residents.’

Find further information about the Green Flag award.

The next Full Council meeting is on Wednesday, September 25. View upcoming meetings on theonline calendar (external link).