Cabinet Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this agenda. 

There were no declarations of interest.

To sign and confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2024 and 19 February 2024.

The minutes from the meetings held on 12 February 2024 and 19 February 2024 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

To receive questions from the public in accordance with the Constitution.

Questions, of no longer than 50 words, can be submitted to the Democratic Support Unit, Plymouth City Council, Ballard House, Plymouth, PL1 3BJ, or email to democraticsupport@plymouth.gov.uk. Any questions must be received at least five clear working days before the date of the meeting.

There were no public questions.

To receive reports on business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be brought forward for urgent consideration.

There were no items of Chair’s Urgent Business.

Councillor Tuffin (Vice-Chair of Growth and Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee) introduced the item and highlighted the following points:

a)    The Growth and Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee identified Water Quality as a subject for a Select Committee review in 2023;

b)    The Select Committee took place in February 2024, during which Councillor Briars-Delve, council officers, representatives from South West Water, the Environment Agency, the Tamar Catchment Partnership, the Ocean Conservation Trust, National Marine Park, Plymouth University and local sea swimmers had a chance to enlighten the committee to the issues and opportunities in relation to Water Quality;

c)    Following evidence, the Committee agreed to the recommendations set out in the report.

Kat Deeney (Head of Environmental Planning) added:

d)    Each recommendation from the Select Committee had a Way Forward;

e)    There was great feedback from all of the organisations who attended the Select Committee which included praise for the proactive and forward looking approach the Committee had.

Councillor Briars-Delve (Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change) added: 

f)     Local swimmers had shared their lived experience regarding Water Quality;

g)    The discussions at the Select Committee included the challenges and causes of water pollution, discussions with Southwest Water and water companies as well as misconnections, agricultural runoff and industry discharges;

h)    Plymouth becoming one of Europe’s most vibrant waterfront cities was at the top of the Corporate Plan;

i)     A Memorandum of Understanding was presented at the Select Committee between Plymouth City Council, the Environment Agency and Southwest Water;

j)     The Memorandum of Understanding included information around maximising programmes of local investment, creating an ambitious Plymouth plan for water to radically and strategically look at water storage options and prioritising green first projects.

Cabinet agreed to the following recommendations:

1.    To thank the Select Committee that reviewed the issues, challenges and opportunities for their work hearing and reviewing information presented and proposing the 16 recommendations;

2.    To support the proposed responses to the recommendations made by the Select Committee set out in the Water Quality Select Committee Recommendation Response Report;

3.    To support the proposal to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable an enhanced relationship with Southwest Water and the Environment Agency and delegate the final review and signing of the MoU to Councillor Briars-Delve (Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change).

Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities) introduced the item and highlighted the following points:
         

a)     In the past 12 months the Council had maintained its commitment to promoting equality, reducing inequality, supporting diversity and encouraging community cohesion;

b)    The Labour Administration started working on a Welcoming City Agenda in 2012;

c)     As a public sector organisation there was a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to publish information on equality, diversion and inclusion activity and to exercise due regard to equality when making decisions;

d)    The paper laid out some of the activities that the Council had undertaken during the past year to reduce inequality within the city and the workforce;

e)     The Council had become a White Ribbon Accredited Organisation, seeking to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), delivering training to employees on reporting hate crimes, setting up the Cost of Living Taskforce to coordinate citywide effort to provide support for Plymouth’s families impacted by the rising cost of living, and treating care experience as a protected characteristic;

f)      Under the obligations of the public sector, the Council was required to publish one or more equality objectives every four years;

g)     A public consultation was held in February 2024 and the Council consulted with Plymouth’s diverse communities and partners;

h)    The paper outlined the suggested equality objectives for 2024 to 2028, with a view to the objectives helping the Council to shape the services they provide to ensure that diversity and inclusion was integral;

i)      Once the objectives were agreed, a live action plan would be developed to illustrate in more detail how the Council intends to deliver the objectives in 2024/25;

j)      The Council had committed to delivering the Welcoming City Programme.

Councillor Penrose (Welcoming City Champion) added:

k)     A network of critical friends organisations had been set up in Plymouth where ideas and good practice would be shared and developed;

l)      There had been a positive response to the public consultation.

Councillor Laing (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children's Social Care, Culture, Events and Communications) added:

m)   There had been an example of national discrimination towards care leavers regarding accommodation, and although it did not take place in Plymouth, it highlighted the importance of the objectives.

Cabinet agreed to the following recommendations:

1.     To note the progress set out in the Our Commitment to Equality and Diversity document;

2.     To endorse the new equality objectives for 2024-2028.

Councillor Aspinall (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care) introduced the item and highlighted the following points:

a)    The Complex Needs Alliance was a partnership of services which Plymouth City Council supported;

b)    The Alliance supported those over the age of 16 who had needs in relation to homelessness and substance misuse, mental health, offending or were at risk of exploitation;

c)    As well as working collaboratively with partners, the Alliance also crossed three areas of the Council: Strategic Commissioning, Public Health and Community Connections.

Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities) added:

d)    Although the contract for the Alliance started in 2019, the work for it started in 2012/13;

e)    In 2012/13, 28 contracts were in place with a variety of organisations which delivered disjointed and often duplicated services to the homelessness sector;

f)     Additional contracts for drugs, alcohol and mental health were also pulled together into the Alliance;

g)    The Alliance was a partnership working to goals and behaviours;

h)    Recognition to Path, The Zone, Shakina Mission, Hamoaze, Bournemouth Churches, Harbour and Livewell Southwest who were at the heart of the Alliance;

i)     The Alliance was focused on collaboration, not competition;

j)     The Alliance had been able to attract nearly £10 million worth of additional funding to the city since 2019 by bidding together for grant funding;

k)    The Alliance was a key pillar which underpinned ‘Plan for Homes 4’ which worked to tackle homelessness;

l)     Thanks to those members who were retiring from The Alliance.

Matt Garrett (Service Director for Community Connections) added:

m)  This was the largest Alliance delivering this kind of work across England;

n)    The Alliance allowed the response to funding bids to be agile;

o)    The Alliance was able to flex and change depending on demand for services;

p)    The Alliance used appreciative inquiry to better understand people’s experiences and how the delivery of services aligned with those experiences to improve outcomes.

Emma Crowther (Interim Head of Commissioning) added:

q)    The paper sought permission to proceed with the first built-in contract extensions for the next two years;

r)    The paper also sought the approval of adding additional Grant Funding to the contract for both 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years as this would enable The Alliance to support work in relation to substance misuse and rough sleeping;

s)     The paper also sought approval for a Scheme of Delegation for the relevant portfolio holders to be able to proceed with future contract extensions based on their knowledge and understanding of the performance of the service;

t)     The paper also sought for the Strategic Director for People to approve any contract variations up to £3 million in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member.

Cabinet agreed to the following recommendations:

1.    To vary the current contract as set out in the report;

2.    To extend the current contract for a further two years (until 31 March 2026) at a core budget value of £6,308,747 per annum;

3.    To approve the Rough Sleeping Initiative  ...  view the full minutes text for item 124.

Councillor Aspinall (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care) introduced the item and highlighted the following points:

a)     The report set out the decision to directly award a new contract for Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health Services to the existing provider of the services;

b)    The contract would enable University Hospital Plymouth, The Zone and The Eddystone to continue the work they had started in 2017, to collaborate and provide an integrated sexual and reproductive health service;

c)     The full range of service offered included sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing and treatment, online services, self-sampling kits, contraception advice, free condoms for under 25s and outreach settings in other settings for young people;

d)    The overall aim for the service model was to improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes for the population of Plymouth, focusing on young people;

e)     The service model was characterised by the following: a clear focus on prevention and self-management, improving accessibilities to make sure that services were delivered in the most appropriate setting, an integrated Front Door with a central telephone number, online advice, information and appointment bookings, there would be optimisation of new technologies and treatments and a focus on cost effectiveness;

f)      The Partnership would agree to work for up to eight years, providing consistency and insurance for the health system and the young people of Plymouth.

Kamal Patel (Public Health Specialty Registrar) added:
         

g)     Although the working together of University Hospitals Plymouth, The Zone and The Eddystone was not a formal ‘alliance’ contract, it was a great example of collaboration in Plymouth which delivered a fully integrated service.

The Cabinet agreed to the following recommendation:

1. That a new contract for Integrates Sexual and Reproductive Health Services (as detailed in the report) was awarded to University Hospitals Plymouth as lead provider of the SHiP partnership.

Councillor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) introduced the item and highlighted the following points:

a)    The previous economic plan for Plymouth was developed in 2014 and was refreshed in 2020;

b)    The 2014 Economic Plan delivered:

i)  £365 million Capital Programme with a further £600 million of match-funding;

ii) a £1 billion development pipeline had been developed;

iii) a rolling average of £30 million of grant funding per annum had been secured;

iv) £100 would be invested into Economic Development Initiatives by 2026;

v) The skyline of Plymouth had been transformed with major developments at the Royal William Yard, Derriford, the City Centre and the Waterfront;

vi) Major inward investment, including The Range Head Office, Land Registry HQ, Barcode and Cineworld and Barden’s future had been secured;

vii) Plymouth had become nationally recognised for it’s cultural place making with Ocean Studios, The Box and Devonport Market Hall;

viii) Inclusive growth had been championed and a new Economic Development Trust in Whitleigh had been created;

ix) Tourism had been championed with the launch of Britain’s Ocean City, Mayflower 400 events and the development of the cruise business;

x) Plymouth had become national recognised for work in the marine sector with Oceansgate, Marine Enterprise Zone, Freeport and the Marine and Maritime Launchpad;

xi) More employment land had been developed than ever before with 11 direct development;

c)    The Strategy would be refreshed post COVID19 and in light of national changes such as the demise of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs);

d)    Although there was not a need to radically change course, the Strategy would respond to emerging national trends and the growth of Plymouth’s Ports;

e)    The Strategy would continue to build on sectoral strengths such as Marine;

f)     The work would be carried out in two stages, the first being a review of the evidence base and identification of priority areas at this Cabinet meeting, the second was working with The Plymouth Growth Board and Scrutiny to produce four delivery plans during the course of the next 12 months;

g)    The four proposed priority areas and Cabinet Champions were:

i) Councillor Tudor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) – Productivity and High Value Jobs;

ii) Councillor Chris Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities) – Inclusive Growth;

iii) Councillor Tom Briars-Delve (Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change) – Sustainable Growth;

iii) Councillor Jemima Laing (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children's Social Care, Culture, Events and Communications) – Civic Pride and Regeneration.

h)    The plan for the new Strategy was as follows:

i) Create 1000 new businesses;

ii) Create 800 new jobs;

iii) Grow the value of the economy by £1 billion;

iv) To lift 3000 people out of poverty;

v) To help 5000 people get work;

vi) Bring 50 vacant buildings back to use;

vii) Support Net Zero City by 2030;

viii) Build 500 homes;

ix) Reduce those without formal qualifications by 50%;

x) Increase Council productivity by 10%;

xi) The city would have more cultural, heritage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 126.

Councillor Coker (Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure) introduced the item and highlighted the following points:

a)     In March 2019, Plymouth City Council, South Hams and West Devon adopted the first Joint Local Plan (JLP) for Plymouth and Southwest Devon;

b)    Five years, ago, the first JLP for Plymouth and Southwest Devon was only one of five in the country and the only one to fully meet the objectivity assessed needs for housing for an entire plan period;

c)     The JLP had been a success within the three councils and had enabled them to effectively guide and promote development in relevant areas, rather than what was dictated by Government Policy;

d)    It was a legal requirement for Local Planning Authorities to complete a review of their plans at least once every five years;

e)      National Planning Policy assumed that a local plan became out of date on its fifth anniversary unless a local plan review demonstrated that its policies remained effective and up-to-date;

f)      In the absence of an up-to-date plan,  National Planning Policy would take precedence and there would be an increased risk of planning by appeal;

g)     The five year review report considered changes to National Policy and Legislation since the JLP was adopted, how the plan had performed against key targets and indicators, changes to economic, environmental and social circumstances and factored in the latest demographic data;

h)    National Policy dictated that after five years, a local plan’s housing requirement is out-of-date and would set a new housing requirement for the area based on the Government Standard Method for assessing local housing needs, this would then become the basis for the give year housing, land supply calculation and housing delivery test. The only exception to this was when a Planning Authority could demonstrate their local plan housing requirement was sufficiently close to the numbers generated using the standard method;

i)      The Government’s Standard Method was based on 2014 demographic data as a basis for its projection despite the 2021 census, and eight mid-year population estimates since 2014;

j)      The Government’s Standard Method also gave a 35% uplift to the top 20 cities in England, including Plymouth;

k)     The JLP was based on evidence, tested and supported by planning inspectors;

l)      The report set out a case for continuing the JLP housing requirements and not applying the Government’s Standard Method;

m)   The report addressed the issues of the time-limited Plymouth Airport Safeguarding Policies;

n)    The Plymouth Airport Safeguarding Policy had been pushed back due to unforeseen circumstances since 2019 including COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine and Russia war and associated economic shock and therefore more time was needed to allow the complex negotiations and actions relating to land ownership to be concluded;

o)    The report set out Plymouth City Council’s position to continue to safeguard the Airport Site through the planning process;

p)    West Devon Borough Council and South Hams District council had approved the JLP five-year review report.

Jonathan Bell (Head of Spatial Planning & Sustainable Development) added:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 127.

Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities) introduced the item and highlighted the following points:

a)     Plan for Homes 1 had started in 2013/14;

b)    There would be a rolling target to build a minimum of 5000 homes in the next five years;

c)     There had been more than 7500 new homes built since 2013;

d)    The Council’s priority was to meet the housing needs of people in Plymouth;

e)     More than 8000 people were waiting for a home;

f)      There was not enough suitable accommodation for older people to downsize too, which meant family homes were not being put back on the market;

g)     The housing stock on Plymouth was not well balanced with Band A and B homes outweighing Band E and F homes;

h)    There were six key areas of activity which consisted of: affordable housing, market housing, private rented housing, supported and specialist housing and partnerships;

i)      All of the key areas had a theme of tackling climate change and taking positive climate action;

j)      The Housing Task Force would develop the detailed action plan and would ensure this was deliverable and strong partnerships were in place;

k)     Plymouth City Council had worked alongside the Southwest Landlords Association.

Matt Garrett (Service Director for Community Connections) added:

l)      The Plan would help deal with needs being experienced with regard to temporary accommodation and homelessness.

Paul Barnard (Service Director for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure) added:

m)   Plan for Homes was able to bring forward initiatives within the three growth areas of the city;

n)    The Local Authority stepped into the housing market to delivery some enhanced housing outcomes such as veterans accommodation;

o)    Plan for Homes allowed for innovation.

Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) added:

p)    There had been a large amount of cross Council working on the Plan for Homes;

q)    Although there was a focus on the city centre, there were other growth areas in Plymouth which were as equally important;

r)     The work the plan had set out was integrated with the private sector, public stock and Market Housing.

Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities) concluded:

s)     The resources had been agreed and were ready to start delivering the Plan.

Cabinet agreed to support the development and delivery of Plan for Homes 4 from 2024 through to 2029.

Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities) introduced items 13 and 14 and highlighted the following points:

a)     As a city there were not many long-term empty properties, and the properties which were left vacant for long periods of time were ‘problem properties’;

b)    Empty properties could have potentially caused damp and vermin in private properties;

c)     Empty properties promoted graffiti, vandalism and antisocial behaviour;

d)    1 Holdsworth Street and 36 Whitsoncross Lane had fallen into extreme disrepair; 

e)     The compulsory purchase orders would allow the Council to acquire and release the properties back into the housing market.

Neil Mason (Housing Delivery Manager) added:

f)      Bringing empty properties back into use was part of Plan for Homes 4.

Cabinet agreed to the following recommendations:

1. Approve the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) under Section 17 Housing Act 1985 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 for the acquisition of 1 Holdsworth Street, Plymouth being the land within the area shown edged red on the plan submitted (appendix 3);

2. Authorise the Head of Legal Services to take all steps and actions necessary to make and progress the CPO including but not limited to the following procedural steps:

a) Finalising the Statement of Reasons setting out the Council’s reasons for making the CPO;

b) Making the CPO, the publication and service of any press, site and individual notices and other correspondence for such making;

c) The preparation and presentation of the Council’s case at any Public Inquiry which may be necessary;

d) Seeking confirmation of the CPO by the Secretary of State (or, if permitted, by the Council pursuant to Section 14A of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981);

e) Publication and service of notices of confirmation of the CPO and thereafter to execute and serve any general vesting declarations and/or notices to treat and notices of entry, and any other notices or correspondence to acquire those interests within the area, including, if required, High Court Enforcement Officer notices; and

f) Referral and conduct of disputes, relating to compulsory purchase compensation, to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber).

Cabinet agreed to the following recommendations:

1. Approve the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) under Section 17 Housing Act 1985 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 for the acquisition of 36 Whitsoncross Lane, Plymouth being the land within the area shown edged red on the plan submitted (appendix 3);

2. Authorise the Head of Legal Services to take all steps and actions necessary to make and progress the CPO including but not limited to the following procedural steps:

a) Finalising the Statement of Reasons setting out the Council’s reasons for making the CPO;

b) Making the CPO, the publication and service of any press, site and individual notices and other correspondence for such making;

c) The preparation and presentation of the Council’s case at any Public Inquiry which may be necessary;

d) Seeking confirmation of the CPO by the Secretary of State (or, if permitted, by the Council pursuant to Section 14A of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981);

e) Publication and service of notices of confirmation of the CPO and thereafter to execute and serve any general vesting declarations and/or notices to treat and notices of entry, and any other notices or correspondence to acquire those interests within the area, including, if required, High Court Enforcement Officer notices; and

f) Referral and conduct of disputes, relating to compulsory purchase compensation, to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber).

Councillor Dann (Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Sport, Leisure and HR&OD) introduced the item and highlighted the following points: 

a)     1174 people accessed the cost-of-living website to look for free activities during February half term and help with food costs;

b)    Although inflation was decreasing, food prices were not;

c)     Free activities would be promoted during the Easter holidays;

d)    There was a campaign for Debt Awareness Week;

e)     Debt in Plymouth was increasing;

f)      A Low Income Family Tracker was being introduced to target low income households and ensure they were getting every benefit they were entitled to;

g)     Although there were reduced National Insurance contributions, due to the freezing of the tax thresholds, low incomes households would be no better off in the new financial year;

h)    There was six months additional support for the Household Support Fund in the 2024/25 budget;

i)      The reduction in Grant Funding from the Government would cause issues for low income families come the winter;

j)      The Council would continue to support people and signpost them to ensure everybody got help as quickly as possible.

Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities) added:

k)     The Council had been working with on a national level with Partners in the volunteering community sector to lobby for the Household Support Fund to be continued for 12 months rather than six;

l)      In September and October 2024 there would be a mass Lobby to get the Household Support Fund extended over the winter;

m)   Although the Council had not had an anti-poverty strategy since 1997, a Building Bridges paper would be brought to Cabinet in June to discuss how the city would tackle poverty;

n)    Poverty had been discussed in the Local Economic Strategy, in Plan for Homes 4 and the Net Zero Action Plan;

o)    Health, education and employment prospects were outcomes of children living in poverty.

Councillor Aspinall (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care) introduced the item and highlighted the following points:

a)     The fourth meeting of the Dental Task Force (DTF) took place in February;

b)    Within the DTF there were was a focus on three specific priorities which were: delivering a new facility in the city centre which would be run by the dental school and aligned to the oral health needs of the city, providing additional funding to Plymouth City Council to enable the enhancement of the oral health improvement (prevention) offer available within the city and using some of Plymouth’s annual NHS underspend to commission new services for the high priority groups and those who did not have access to an NHS dentist;

c)     The Council’s communication team had issued a press release to ensure there was significant media interest in the work of the DTF;

d)    NHS Devon ICB had stated they did not know if the 2023/24 Dental budget was ring-fenced;

e)     The new city centre dental school had a new time scale for opening and would now open in early 2025;

f)      It was anticipated that the dental school would be able to bid for funding to cover the revenue costs from the Expression of Interest process that NHS Devon ICB had put in place;

g)     Through the Expression of Interest process, local providers had been contacted and invited to submit proposals to provide dental care for looked after children;

h)    The dental schools offer of registration and free treatment for children attending primary schools in the city had been extended to 10 schools;

i)      The schools in receipt of the offer were: Mount Wise Community Primary School, Riverside Community Primary School, The Cathedral School St Mary’s which was twinned with St Joseph’s, Marlborough Street Primary School, Morice Town Primary Academy, Whitley Primary School, Laira Green Primary School, Victoria Road, Millbay, Stoke High Street Academy and Knowle Primary School;

j)      The next DTF meeting would take place in April and would look at the Terms of Reference and the new civic year.

Councillor Aspinall (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care) introduced the item and highlighted the following points:

a)     It was agreed in Cabinet in December that the ageing well programme would respond to the growing proportion of older people in society and had an overall vision for Plymouth to be one of Europe’s most vibrant waterfront cities where outstanding quality of life was enjoyed by everyone, and age was no barrier;

b)    The programme looked at two groups of people, those who were well and helping them stay well, and those who were impacted by the consequences of aging;

c)     Thrive Plymouth was the programme for addressing health inequalities to support people to live and age healthily, age friendly places, accessibility and welcoming, safe and inclusive spaces and buildings;

d)    The programme had sub-themes of:

i) transport;

ii) outdoor spaces;

iii) buildings participation and inclusion which ensured that activities are financially, culturally and physically accessible;

iv) tackling ageism and ableism and considering groups who may feel excluded;

v) promoting and celebrating the contribution of older people;

vi) ensuring people had the opportunity as they age to develop a new skill and pass on their experience and skills to others;

vii) age friendly employers and volunteering opportunities;

viii) ensuring communications across the city were inclusive and portrayed positive images of older people;

e)     The programme would link to the Housing Task Force and existing partnerships in health and adult social care;

f)      Membership for the Centre for Aging Better UK Network of Age Friendly Communities had been secured and would provide weekly peer calls, training and bespoke support;

g)     A State of Age Report would be started which would tackle a baseline assessment for Aging in Plymouth that would include data and intelligence;

h)    There would be Asset Mapping of which programmes and initiatives were already in place, and what was working well;

i)      The upcoming Thrive Plymouth Network communications included: Active to Thrive Events with Sports England and Active Devon, well-being systems designed groups with members from health and adult social care and the voluntary sector and information shared from Community Builders from the Community Empowerment Team;

j)      The Steering Group would have membership from Age UK, Improving Lives, Plymouth Elder Tree, and Plymouth Area Disability Action Network;

k)     International Day of the Older Person was 1 October and the State of Ageing report would be published to coincide with this;

l)      Projects such as the Pension Credit Campaign were being progressed;

m)   The Pension Credit Campaign aided people of pension age who were eligible to claim important financial support.

Councillor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) gave the following announcements:

a)    The following projects were already on site and would be completed over the next two to three years:

i) £50 million Civic Centre residential development;

ii) £25 million Brickfields sports let regeneration;

iii) £80 million Brunel Plaza regeneration scheme;

iv) £25 million City Centre Colin Campbell Court Community Diagnostic Hub;

v) £26 million Derriford District Centre expansion;

b)    The Council would be working closely with Babcock and the Royal Navy to Maximise the unique opportunity for Plymouth from the most sustained period of defence investment in the City’s recent history;

c)    The lottery funded Horizons Programme was underway which capitalised on the National Marine Park;

d)    The Britain’s Ocean City brand would be driven through working with Destination Plymouth;

e)    Work would be done for the first time with all four ports, including major announcements on Shore Power and Floating Offshore Wind;

f)     Skills would be a major focus and there would be a major announcement on blue green skills in the near future;

g)    There would be a focus on green jobs and the development of a pipeline of Net Zero Investment including a focus on retrofit, heat networks, hydrogen and green transport;

h)    There would be new employment land opportunities at Oceansgate, Langage, Sherford, Derriford and City Centre;

i)     The Council would continue its work on cultural place-making, with a new focus on Creative Industries;

j)     Prioritisation of the regeneration of the city centre would continue with a commitment to deliver housing delivery, working with Homes England;

k)    The future of Plymouth would be thrilling;

l)     There were very few cities that could boast £2.5 billion of defence investment, £1 billion of regeneration and £200 million of economic development projects over the next few years.

Councillor Briars-Delve (Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change) provided the following updates:

a)     The social media campaign for the Right Stuff, Right Bin campaign had continued and had amassed 100,000 impressions;

b)    A leaflet with tips and tricks around making the most of recycling bins was delivered to households in Plymouth;

c)     Stickers would be put on bins to ensure the correct waste went in the correct bin.

Councillor Aspinall (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care) provided the following updates:

d)    Letters would be sent to all of the Council’s suppliers in the domiciliary market regarding the provision of the contract for the coming year.

Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities) provided the following updates:

e)     The Council offered an Empty Homes Financial Package to owners of properties that had been empty for at least six months, which consisted of a loan of £50,000 per unit, which would be repaid from rental income, provided the homeowner did the work themselves;

f)      Work had been done with the Auction House Southwest so that referral from the Council’s Empty Homes Team to their sales service would get reduced commission rates;

g)     The Repair and Rent Scheme was changed to be made eligible to homes left empty for six months and increased the available money from £20,000 to £50,000 (with 20% as a grant) on the basis the repairs would be programme managed by Plymouth Homes for Let and they would then let at a local housing allowance rate.

Councillor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) introduced the item and highlighted the following points:

a)    Prior to the Spring Budget there had been success in securing £500-£600 million to help close the £4 billion gap;

b)    The LGA had to produce productivity plans;

c)     Local Services Grant had been cut by £2 million in Plymouth;

d)    This was the sixth year where Plymouth had been granted a one-year funding settlement which created difficulties when planning services;

e)    One in five councils believed they would be issuing Section 14 Notices in the next two years;

f)     Local Government was the most efficient part of the public sector;

g)    Councils had lost 24% of their core spending power since 2010;
 

h)    New rises and funds for Local Authorities were being eclipsed by rises in statutory minimum wage which caused a gap of £1.6 billion;

i)     Due to the gap of £1.6 billion, there was a warning that neighbourhood services such as waste collection, road repairs, libraries and leisure centres would see severe national cutbacks;

j)     Cost and Demand Pressures had seen £15 billion added to the cost of delivering council services in the past four years;

k)    Almost two thirds of spending for Council with social care responsibilities was spend on services for adults and children alone which was an increase of 56% from seven years ago;

l)     If Local Government collapsed, all public services would suffer detrimentally.