Issue 38 - Summer 2012 - Wigan Council

www.wigan.gov.ukTheLeaderColumnBy Peter SmithLeader, Wigan CouncilPROVIDING value for money and maintaining services to ourcommunity are Wigan Council’s key priorities. And the savings madeby the council last year are helping us to do exactly that.Whilst we remain in challenging economic times, the council andits staff have risen to this challenge. Last year saw a total saving of£24.8million, which exceeded our targets by more than £3million.We have achieved these savings by reviewing our back-officefunctions, streamlining the council’s senior management team andthrough other initiatives such as improving our waste and recyclingrates, which you can read more about in this issue over pages 22 to25.Despite this positive start there is still much to be done. TheGovernment has imposed on us the need to save £66million overfour years, with probably more to come, so we will continue to lookat ways to make savings and provide excellent services.IT was a once in a generation chance for our borough to shine and itdid so with pride. The Olympic Torch relay came to Wigan Borough inMay and thousands of people lined the roads and streets wavingunion flags and cheering on the runners.And whilst there were undoubtedly some very exceptional peoplewho were chosen to carry the torch through our borough, the realstars of the show where those members of our community who tookthe time and made effort to put on a show, decorate their house,hold a party or just celebrate this unique occasion. I’d like to thankeveryone who took part in the day’s events, you really did ourborough proud. You can see some of the best action from the day’sevents on pages 6 and 7 of this edition.HELPING our young people to the very best start in life is somethingthat everyone at Wigan Council is committed to. Which is why it isgreat news that we have succeeded in our quest to create 100 newapprenticeship posts for young people in 100 days.The truth is we have smashed our own target by creating wellover 100 new positions in less than the allotted 100 days. The key tothis success has been a partnership between the council and theborough’s business community who have been keen to get on boardand are already realising the benefits of employing an apprentice.And there’s more to come because the council has committed anextra £100,000 to provide more apprenticeship places for youngpeople over the next year. We believe it is an investment, not only inour young people but in the future prosperity of our borough. Youcan find out more about some of the individual success stories onpage 10.STAYING on the subject of opportunities for young people, this editionof Borough Life is a bumper one because we’re delighted to say thatwe’ve teamed up with the Wigan Warriors to bring you an eight-pagespecial all about the exciting new Central Park Training campus.This new centre on the site of the former PEMBEC school, NorleyHall, is the product of a unique partnership between the council andthe Warriors to give young people in our borough access to world classtraining and education facilities.It’s an ambitious venture that’s sure to serve generations of youngpeople in our borough well.Summer 2012This edition packed with news, plus...Torch Relay “flaming fantastic” 6&7Future Steps starts job hunt early 15Join the recycling boom 24-27Stars out for jazz spectacular 29Borough Life is published by WiganCouncil and distributed to all households inthe borough. This edition was published on21 June. Distribution should be complete by5 July.The magazine is printed on paper fromrenewable resources. It is written and editedby Wigan Council’s Media andCommunications team, designed bySmith Davis Press and printed by PCP.If you have any comments or feedback –or if would like to write a letter forpublication – please contact:CONTENTSCOVER PICTURE:800m runner JennyMeadows, whotrains at Robin Park,hopes to representthe borough andTeam GB at the2012 Games.See page seven.The EditorBorough Life,FREEPOST NWW3502A,Wigan WN1 1XZ.Tel: 01942 827823Email: boroughlife@wigan.gov.ukIf you are a resident of Wigan Boroughbut haven’t had a copy of Borough Lifedelivered through your letterbox, please letus know.Copies of individual articles may beavailable in other languages on request.Large print and audio versions can also beprovided. Please phone 01942 827823.BOROUGH LIFE Summer 2012 3