During a discussion of the Council’s Local Government Association peer review at the Authority Review Committee, the topic of better engagement with communities and partners was raised.
As part of the discussion, the council’s chief executive, Susie Kemp, said: ‘The Wigan Deal was mentioned – there was a big discussion to get this but it’s been phenomenal.
And Labor councilor Jim Grant said: ‘I’ll pass it here tomorrow – the council told residents, ‘We’ll keep council tax low, but you need to do more recycling’.
“It really worked.”
So what is the Wigan Deal and what has it done for Wigan?
Wigan’s website reads: ‘The agreement is an informal agreement between council and everyone who lives or works here to work together to create a better borough.
“Together we have saved over £115million, but there is still a long way to go.
“We believe we can continue to lower municipal tax bills and balance our books if you help by doing things like recycling more, volunteering in your communities and using online services. By 2020, our borough will no longer receive any central government funding, which is why The Deal is so important.
He adds: ‘We now have the second lowest municipal tax rates in all of Greater Manchester and believe we can continue to balance our books if you help by doing things like recycling more, volunteering in your communities and use online services.
“Thanks to the hard work and commitment of residents and communities, The Deal has been a huge success, but we all need to keep doing more.”
The main agreement says the council will: “Keep your council tax as one of the lowest; help communities help each other; reduce red tape and optimize resources; create services around you and your family; creating opportunities for young people; support the growth of the local economy; listen, be open, honest and friendly; believe in our borough.
