Wigan Borough Environment & Heritage Network
10.30am 4th January 2021 via Zoom
Present (Welcome & Introductions):
Joe Taylor (JT), Billinge Historic Society, (Chair)
Peter Taylor (PT), Wigan Civic Trust
Paul Costella (PC) Leigh Film Society
Adrian D’Arcy (AD) CRESS Eco Architecture
Richard Macdonald (Wigan Council)
Apologies:
Julie Clarke, Communities (JC), Wigan Council
Lydia Helsby (LH), Wigan Civic Trust
Tony Bishop (TB), Leigh Ornithological Society
Kerrell Walley (KW) Climate Change Programme Manager, Wigan Council
Paul Costella (PC) Leigh Film Society
Glenys McClellan (GM), Leigh Family History Society
Neil Forshaw NF (George Formby Society)
Julie Hotchkiss (JH), Extinction Rebellion, Wigan
Avis Freeman (AF) Leigh Soroptomists
Richard Macdonald (Wigan COuncil)
Alex Miller - Archive Service Wigan Council
Lucy Northey - Clean Air Wigan Council
Minutes of last meeting: approved proposed by Joe seconded by Adrian
Matters arising: none
Agenda Items:
Joe Taylor (JT), Billinge Historic Society, (Chair)
Introduced meeting saying that most of council are back today and will possibly join later dependant on meetings. Kerrell has relayed to everyone any urgent questions can be emailed to Joe or Herself and she will respond.
Richard Macdonald (Wigan Council)
Consultation feedback 442 responses from borough. Happy to see council setting out strategy. Feedback Concerns about things in the past that had happened. Re not trusting council. 2 main heritage sites from survey Winstanley hall & Haigh hall, Wigan Pier, Canals. Follow next as heritage to general public, Biggest concerns level of vacancy & disrepair of properties. New properties detrimental to borough environment. Properties allowed to deteriorate, council not keeping on top of historical building. Pay too much notice to building they are not financially viable hence not worth saving. Most people responded not part of any heritage group. 72% not part of heritage group 29% Part of an heritage group.
Change way council interacts with heritage groups and residents and market heritage through the borough. Possible changes to historical building at zero VAT campaign coming up.
Richard will push more through borough with regards heritage every opportunity he can.
Adrian D’Arcy (AD) CRESS Eco Architecture
Introduced himself and explained how he will be putting in a bid for the coffee shop within Leigh Town Hall.. The Cafe will be in the shape of a ECO CAFE. Where it will be a meeting place for climate change, Heritage promotion along with Wigan Library to monitor and drive change within the borough for things like air quality. pollution, offsetting carbon and fossil fuel savings from new builds planned within the borough. The aim will be to gather likeminded eco-brains and individuals and business influence to participate in events.
Pete, Paul, Joe Adrian Discussed
Ways in which we can improve marketing and communications within the borough for heritage and environmental issues. How as a network we can relay events and information across the whole Brough creating a borough cohesion. To be discussed next months meeting.
Next Meeting: 1st February 2021 via Zoom