The following question was asked by Mr Roy Hamilton

Question: In my opinion the PCC Taxi Policy 2022, either deliberately or through unforeseen circumstances, is destroying the Plymouth Taxi Trade.   

When will the Licensing Authority meet with knowledgeable persons and Licensees who understand the economics and infrastructure of the Taxi and Private Hire Trades as promised during March, 2022? 

Response: The Growth and Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee will establish a select committee to review the implementation of the Taxi Policy 2022.  

This will take place in the early part of the new year.  

Knowledgeable persons and licensees will be invited to take part in that review.  

The following question was asked by Mr Alan Ramage

Question: The U.N. Secretary General says that banks and financiers have the future of humanity by the throat.Will PCC publicise Bank.Green(a Green Finance Pressure Group) so Plymouthians can choose a bank that has low fossil fuel project investments. This complements PCC’s climate emergency. How does PCC’s bank fare when assessed for green credentials? 

Response: Plymouth City Council bank with Barclays Bank and who are fully committed to achieving their ambition of being a net zero bank by 2050. 

Their Green Bonds highlights their commitment to placing green principles at their core and their Green Issuance Framework which was published in July 2021 and has been externally reviewed by the Carbon Trust. 

The following question was asked by Mr Stuart Dolton

Question: Does Plymouth City Council, in acknowledging its Memorandum to Parliament (CEM 48), care enough about Plymouth's heritage to ensure adequate finance and resources are provided to meet its obligation of keeping closed churchyards within our community in decent order, as legally required under the Local Government Act 1972? 

Response: Yes, Plymouth City Council are aware of their responsibilities of the closed churchyards and regular maintenance is assured.  

If they are concerns regarding any closed cemetery that Plymouth City Council maintains we would ask that a report is made via the Plymouth City Council feedback form. 

The following question was asked by Mr Mike Sheaff

Question: Plymouth City Council’s external auditors explain the decision not to increase council tax for 2022/23, “will start to build a cumulative loss of income that is not sustainable”. Yet the proposal was not considered in the pre-budget scrutiny report. How will more meaningful scrutiny of proposals be achieved for 2023/24?  

Response: The budget report itself contained a statement from the S151 Officer setting out that prior to the budget discussion Cabinet had received advice that the opportunities to maximise the yield of Council Tax and the Adult Social Care Precept are in the Council’s immediate and long term interests from a financial viewpoint.   

The decision to not raise the Council Tax for 2022/23 was agreed as an amendment at the Council meeting itself and was therefore not subject to pre-scrutiny. All opportunities are taken at budget scrutiny sessions to be clear on the implications of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18