(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 Director of Public Health provided an update on the current situation with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic:

·       The country went into a national lockdown on 5^th January 2021. At that time Plymouth’s rates were 200 per 100,000 and rates across England were 560 per 1000,000.

·       Since then, as expected, the number of cases continued to rise but there have been signs in recent days that the number of cases are falling.

·       Today’s figures for Plymouth are 269 per 100,000, the South West is similar and the national rates are 400 per 100,000.

·       These rates are extremely high for Plymouth and there are very few people in Plymouth who have not been touched by this. There are around 100 patients in Derriford which is having a knock on effect for people in Plymouth and additional pressures on staff at hospital.

·       Figures have not fallen as quickly as anyone would like but the new strain is more easily transmissible and the data suggests this new strain has come to Plymouth.

·       Control measures are the same for the new strain: Hands, Face, Space. Follow guidance to stay at home, unless you HAVE to leave.

·       CCG say the vaccine roll out is going well and the majority of Over 80s will be vaccinated by the end of the week.

·       New vaccination centre opening this week at the Mayflower centre, Home Park. However, there are challenges in keeping people safe giving and receiving vaccines. People are not protected straight away when they get their first injection, they must continue to follow guidance.

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

·       In the latest lockdown grants available for businesses teams have helped to get £10million out in 3 days, over half the full amount. Focus will now be on the discretionary pot now and targeting those falling through the cracks.

·       The Council have written to the Chancellor of Exchequer supported by local businesses, asking for more 2021 and looking forward to 2022. The pandemic is hard to predict but this is why long term assurances are needed.

·       Resurgam is making good progress, including the new Lighthouse Lab which has created 400 jobs.

Councillor Peter Smith, Deputy Leader:

·       Estimated that Plymouth has lost 169.5m in visitor spend in 9 months interest in Mayflower 400.

·       Mayflower 400 sports programme has engaged with residents throughout 2020, including primary schools.

·       Parks, play parks and nature reserves still open. MUGAs and tennis courts as well as sports centres have had to close.

·       Libraries are offering select and collect and essential PC use and printing and promote online and digital services.

Councillor Kate Taylor, Cabinet Member for Health made announcement regarding

·       Another care hotel has opened in conjunction with Livewell Southwest with another opening later this week. Aiming to ease pressure on hospitals and helping residents who are not yet ready to go home still get care.

·       More staff than residents are affected with COVID19 in care homes. 20 homes with an outbreak  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62