(a)        To receive announcements from the Lord Mayor, Chief Executive, Service Director for Finance or Head of Legal Services;

(b)        To receive announcements from the Leader, Cabinet Members or Committee Chairs.

The Lord Mayor led a one minute silence to mark the Holocaust Memorial Day.

The Lord Mayor made the following announcements:

Operation Encompass

·         Devon and Cornwall Police in Partnership with Operation Encompass charity were the overall winner at the World Class Policing Awards, held in London on 14 November;

·         The awards celebrate and acknowledge the best in all aspects of 21^st century policing and reflect that effective modern day policing requires partnership and collaboration. A total of 54 finalists attended the Awards Ceremony with six winners chosen, including Operation Encompass as the overall winner;

·         Operation Encompass is a police and education early information sharing partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support for children and young people experiencing domestic abuse;

·         Congratulations were extended to Devon and Cornwall Police and Operation Encompass

Queen’s New Year’s Honours

·         The New Year’s Honours List 2020, published on Saturday 28 December, recognises the outstanding achievements of people across the United Kingdom;

o   Foster Carer Verna Pollard was been awarded an MBE for services to children. Verna has cared for dozens of children aged between four and eighteen over many years.

o   Plymouth City Council’s Service Director for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure was also awarded an MBE - Paul Barnard has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to housing and town planning.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Evans OBE made the following announcements:

·         The public opening of The Box has been confirmed for 16 May 2020;

·         Free admission for Plymouth residents has been agreed;

·         At the end of February a public ballot will be announced for the public to apply to attend a ‘sneak preview’ of The Box, this will take place on 02 May 2020;

·         A commemorative £2 coin is to be launched, recognising the importance of the Mayflower 400 anniversary; 

·         Highlighted several recent accolades bestowed on the city as being a top destination to visit in 2020, including in the New York Times and CNN;

·         An update on the UK’s exit from the European Union on Friday 31 January and the potential impact on the fishing industry, the agricultural industry, port infrastructure and investment.

·         The latest proposals from the Government on Fairer Funding for Adult Social Care, which the Local Government Association have stated could result in a loss of £8.3m of funding for Plymouth. This is an 11.58% reduction in funding, compared to areas such as Hampshire which will see an increase of £35m, £25m for Surrey and £4.7m for Gloucestershire. This is a formula funding change and the concern is that this could be applied to other areas of funding.

Councillor Smith, Deputy Leader, made the following announcements:

·         The opening of the St Budeaux Library and the launch of the new Library Charter – this details the commitment to users to provide a first class library service;

·         In August this year we will supporting the Lonely Yacht Race which will follow the original Fast Net course and will focus on amateur sailors;

·         Plymouth Hoe has been chosen to host the Tom  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19