CUSTOMER AND SUPPORT SERVICES LEAD MEMBER BRIEFING
23RD MAY, 2005.
PRESENT: Councillors Hinds and Devine
D. Butler, K. Clare, J. Spink, A. Westwood and M. Willetts
A. Brown, K. Lucy, C. Postlethwaite and J. Wood ( PCT) and
B. Whitmarsh also attended
 Record of the meeting held on 16th May, 2005 – noted
 Contract for Occupational Health Physician Services – agreed that
(1) Medigold Health Consultancy Limited be appointed to carry out
Occupational Health Services on behalf of the six participating AGMA
Councils at an estimated value of £856,798.47 for an initial period of 5 years
(2) the Strategic Director of Customer and Support Services be authorised to
negotiate an optional extension to 31st May, 2010, subject to satisfactory
performance and a continuation of a competitive price and (3) the Head of
Law and Administration prepare the contract award documentation as soon as
possible
 Application for VER - approved
 BVPP Matrix – submitted details of the performance against the BVPP
targets for 2004/05 and the proposed BVPP targets for the period 2005/08 –
agreed that the performance for 2004/05 be noted and that the targets for
2005/08 be approved
 Mike Willetts submitted a summary report on the outcome of the Best Value
Review of ICT Services and indicated that the full report would be submitted
to the Challenge Panel on 27th May – all Members of the Council to be kept
fully informed of what was happening
 Housing and Council Tax Benefits – Local Scheme – submitted details of
proposals to amend the local scheme to bring it in line with other Greater
Manchester authorities – agreed that the matter be reported to Cabinet
 Higher Broughton Community Hub – submitted a report on the proposed
financial arrangements for the construction of the Higher Broughton
Community Hub – that the funding programme of the use of unsupported
borrowing and returns from the Higher Broughton Partnership be supported
 Flat Screen Monitors – that consideration of this item be deferred to the
meeting to be held on 6th June, 2005 and that Dave Rogers be invited to attend
to discuss the matter
 LIFT:o Update given on latest staffing position in relation to LIFT including the
secondment of John Wood to the Team at PCT
o Urban Vision appointed to undertake all off site works
o Indicative cost plan for 1C – need to consider what can be taken out of the
schemes and then how what is left can be funded
o Concerns by some Elected Members at possible reductions in the proposed
scheme at Little Hulton
o Swinton:
 All variables now determined and consultation taking place with
Precinct Owners
 Library issue still to be resolved
 Cost benefit implications required on modification of existing
building or partial demolition
 Looking at alternative drop off points
 Number of uncertainties with regard to Swinton, justice centre, car
parking etc.
 Proposal to sell Vicarage car park to PCT and increase capacity at
the Crompton House car park
 Planning application may have to include condition re car parking
o Charlestown – still on site, on schedule to finish on time
o Lowe Kersal – financial close achieved 2 weeks ahead of schedule – LIFT
start on site September / October, 2005
o Walkden – scheme signed off – financial model being finalised, some
aspects higher than expected
o Eccles – looking to cut down on the amount of glass to the exterior of the
building before bringing to sign off
o Pendleton – high design abnormals and land contamination
 Need to gear up in the near future for those services that will be
transferring from RMCH to the Pendleton site
o Strategic Health Authority supportive of Salford’s stance that Manchester’s
schemes should not be included within the 1C schemes
 Phase 2
o Looking at 2/3 sites in the Ordsall area, lot of planning still to be done,
priority to re-locate G. P.’s
o Kate Lucy met with Martin Vickers to discuss operation of services
o Clare Postlethwaite to give positive image when she attends Strategy and
Regeneration Scrutiny Committee
o Barry Whitmarsh to provide briefing note for Councillor Hinds
 Proposal for capital expenditure approved – additional Rail Track incursion
works and footway re-surfacing, Swinton - £24k