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From

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Subject

1

Lugger

Evans

4,000 public buildings were sold to developers every year. Had the best prices been achieved for the disposal of land within Plymouth and would it be possible to have a register for disposals?

Response: There was a register maintained.

Supplementary: The Registry Office was sold for £295,000. Was this the best value that could have been achieved?

Response: This was related to knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing. Whereas £900,000 was the sale price, the particular property that was sold was sitting idle for seven years.

2

Gilmour

Coker

Regarding bus services and local transport infrastructure, a recent announcement from the secretary of transport publicised a tranche of funding. What was the initial funding proposal in reference to the PCC and residents?

Response:  £4.5 million was granted for the 25/26 municipal year. This would be looked into by the Bus Champion (Councillor Sproston) and Ward Councillors. Final clarification was being awaited upon as funding was allocated in three tranches.

3

Steel

Haydon

Did the Cabinet Member for Safety support the recent establishment of Uber into the City?

Response: Yes. Support would be given to any operator that applied in the City.

4

Bannerman

Laing

There had been recent reforms to Children’s social care. Was it possible to outline how these would affect Plymouth?

Response: The change was welcomed by the Council. A three year transformation plan had been put in place with clear plans for residential children’s home. The recent reforms would assist in managing the ongoing precarious budget deficit within Children’s Services.

5

Poyser

Coker

Would a review of the bus shelter installation be presented in a report to the relevant scrutiny committee?

Response: Yes, if requested by scrutiny.

6

Stephens

Cresswell

The Department for Education had produced a report which indicated suspension rates had doubled in school. What actions were Children’s Services taking to address this?

Response: This issue had been discussed in detail. Collaboration with schools had taken place to avoid exclusions when possible. Robust escalation procedures had been produced. Offers for schools regarding vaping and substance abuse campaigns had taken place. The SEND strategy was ongoing and “inclusion” was the fundamental theme of these strategies.

Free primary school breakfast clubs had begun to be established which would generate “gentle and right start to the school day”

7

Ricketts

Coker

In regards to the Community Infrastructure Levy, Should £750,000 have been spent on electric buses?

Response: Yes.

Supplementary: Would the ongoing funding be an ongoing concern for the Council, in reference to subsiding the rolling stock?

Response: A substantial amount of money had been brought in and net-zero had been a prime concern cross-party. Electric buses had proved immensely popular and were better for the environment.

8

Wood

Lowry

Grant Thornton Auditor’s Annual Report of South Gloucestershire outlined usable reserves as a proportion of net cost of services across 38 comparators. Councillor Lowry had stated PCC reserves were 200% of revenue which did not equate to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49