Issue - meetings

Announcements

Meeting: 27/02/2023 - City Council (Item 56)

Announcements

(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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor made the following announcements:

 

a)    It had been a year since Russia escalated their illegal invasion of Ukraine and it was painful to see the devastation and  loss that people continue to suffer as a result of the attack on their country and it was important to continue to stand with the people of Ukraine;

                      i.        Over 12 months, Plymouth has welcomed over 180 Ukrainian people with open arms;

                     ii.        The Council would continue to offer support in weeks and months ahead, working in partnership to help people access education, jobs and local services;

                    iii.        Ukraine had enjoyed freedom and democracy for decades and The Council could not and would not look away and expressed its collective message of hope;

                    iv.        A minutes silence and quiet reflection had been held on Friday 24 February 2023;

b)    With great sadness, reported to Council;

                      i.        The death of former Lord Mayor Ralph Morrell who had been elected in Jun 1961 and served for over 30 years;

                     ii.        The sad passing of former councillor Derek Ackland who was elected to Plymouth City Council from 1982-1987;

                    iii.        The Council expressed heartfelt condolences to the families and a minutes silence was held in memory.

 

Councillor Jonathan Drean (Cabinet Member for Transport) made the following announcements:

 

a)    Platinum Way, part of the Forder Valley link road project, would open later that evening on 27 February 2023 as the final part of the scheme had been completed by Persimmon Homes with the aim of reducing journey times to and from key locations;

                      i.        The project had been achieved despite global pressures;

                     ii.        Expressed thanks to local residents and commuters for their patience;

                    iii.        Thanked the Highways and Planning teams, as well as the main contractor for the project, Balfour Beatty and their partners;

                    iv.        The project had been completed with a workforce of who 85% lived in a Plymouth postcode;

                     v.        455 weeks of training had been provided for students through apprenticeships and NVQ’s;

                    vi.        14,5000 trees had been planted and new bird boxes had been installed;

                  vii.        The stream that runs underneath the roads had been completed with otter shelves to allow wildlife to cross in free flowing water;

                 viii.        There were Wildlife Ponds and retention ponds, adding to resilience against the risk of flooding;

                   ix.        Additional capacity had been created at Leigham Roundabout.


Meeting: 28/02/2022 - City Council (Item 39)

Announcements

(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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor made the following announcements:

 

·        

with regards to the war in Ukraine it was highlighted that this terrible attack upon a sovereign nation imperilled the peace and security that Europe had enjoyed over the last 77 years, and was leading to a humanitarian crisis the extent of which was yet to fully unfold. Plymouth was no stranger to the attacks of a foreign aggressor and many of the city’s citizens may still recall spending nights in air raid shelters. The resilience displayed by the British public then, was clearly on display in Ukraine today as the Ukrainian Army and its Citizens fight on the edge of Western Democracies. Democratic values were to be protected and respected, which was why Plymouth stood in solidarity with Ukraine. Members were asked to join the Lord Mayor for a moment of reflection for the 210 civilians who had so far lost their lives in the conflict;

 

·        

it was with great sadness that the Lord Mayor had to report the death of Alderman Bray. Alderman Bray was elected to the City Council for the Eggbuckland Ward in May 1991 until 2000 and again in 2003 to 2007. During this time he served on various committees, including: Client Services Panel, Employment and Economic Development, Licensing, Hospitality and Twinning, Plymouth Citybus Board and the Theatre Royal Board. He was also the Chair of the Planning Committee. Members were asked to join the Lord Mayor for a one minute silence in memory of Alderman Bray.

 

Councillor Kelly, Leader of the Council, made the following announcements:

 

·        

with regards to the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport; the designation of the Freeport by Government had been a significant vote of confidence in the city and the partnership established. Since the Chancellor announced Plymouth as one of 8 successful bids Plymouth had submitted the outline business case and responded to any concerns raised by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The next stage was to work to the deadline of 22 April to submit the full business case whilst simultaneously setting up a Customs Site and progressing official tax site designations. The Freeport will capitalise on the power of our marine, space and defence economies as well as strengthening public and private sector partnerships. The Plymouth and South Devon Freeport would facilitate essential infrastructure works in the city as well as accelerate a regional bounce back from the pandemic and help grow the local economy;

 

·        

there was a 12 month engagement plan with lots of exciting activities lined up for everyone in Plymouth to enjoy and to get involved in shaping the National Marine Park’s future. It was starting on the first weekend in April with an open event at the National Marine Aquarium, which was a free event for Plymouth residents. It was so important that everyone in Plymouth had the chance to get involved and have their say about what the park meant to them, we want to ensure that everyone can enjoy the significant benefits  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39