Cabinet Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this agenda.  A flowchart providing guidance on interests is attached to assist councillors.

The following declarations of interest were made by councillors in accordance with the code of conduct in respect of items under consideration at the meeting -

To sign and confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5June 2018.

Agreed the minutes of the meeting held on the 5 June 2018.

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 questions from members of the public.

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

The Leader and Cabinet Members made announcements on the following subjects -

·         CCTV – Expansion into Whitleigh, Honicknowle and Ernesettle

·         Plymouth Studio School

·         Library cards provided for all new born children

·         Fleet Solid Support Ships Campaign

·         Classroom to the Moon walking Challenge

·         Plastic Free City – Reusable Drinking Bottles

·         Carers Week

·         Self-Build

·         Homelessness Services and the Communications Team

·         The Ship Hostel – Converted to Flats

·         Central Park Development

·         Cross Country Rail Franchise

·         Adoption of International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism

·         The Box – Contemporary Art Society's - Collections Fund Prize

·         Pennycross School Extension

·         Health and Safety Campaign – Tombstoning

·         Roadworks - Video

·         Growth Pipeline in Plymouth - Video

For the reasons set out in the report Cabinet agreed -

1.    To approve the direction set out in Plymouth’s Health and Wellbeing  Commissioning Intentions 2018-20;

2.    that once developed, Cabinet and New Devon CCG Governing Body will review the two year commissioning plans which support these intentions.

Councillor Tuffin (Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care) introduced the report.  It was highlighted that –

a.     The commissioning intentions built on the integration journey that was started in 2015 and set down an ambition to go further and faster;

b.    Health and Wellbeing Board would provide Local Leadership whilst holding commissioners to accountable to the commissioning intentions and vision in the Plymouth Plan;

c.     Overview and Scrutiny would continue to play an active support and challenge role in monitoring the delivery of these actions;

d.    Further commissioning plans would be brought forward to Cabinet and through the CCG’s Governing Body.

For the reasons set out in the report Cabinet agreed -

1.    To approve the direction set out in Plymouth’s Health and Wellbeing  Commissioning Intentions 2018-20;

2.    that once developed, Cabinet and New Devon CCG Governing Body will review the two year commissioning plans which support these intentions.

(Councillor Taylor was absent due to interests declared)

For the reasons set out in the report Cabinet agreed -

1.    the designation of three new LNR sites - Kings Tamerton Woods, Newnham meadows and Seaton and Lower Bircham Valley;

2.    the de-designation of small areas of two existing LNRs – Bircham Valley and Forder Valley;

3.    to instruct officers to commence the legal process to enable the statutory designation/de-designation of the sites utilising the Local Authorities powers under Section 19(3) – "Establishment of nature reserves by local authorities" – of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

Councillor Dann (Cabinet Member for Environment and Strategic Street-Scene) introduced the report.  It was highlighted that –

a.     approval of the package of proposals would achieve a net gain of 47 hectares in Local Nature Reserve (LNR) area whilst allowing small areas of existing LNR’s to be de-designated to allow for three highway improvement scheme designs to be developed;

b.    the new designations will provide legal protection for key areas of green space, safeguarding them for future generations;

c.     the designations would provide a natural flood defence system;

d.    as the result of proposals Plymouth will have a total of 13 Local Nature Reserves.

For the reasons set out in the report Cabinet agreed -

1.    the designation of three new LNR sites - Kings Tamerton Woods, Newnham meadows and Seaton and Lower Bircham Valley;

2.    the de-designation of small areas of two existing LNRs – Bircham Valley and Forder Valley;

3.    to instruct officers to commence the legal process to enable the statutory designation/de-designation of the sites utilising the Local Authorities powers under Section 19(3) – "Establishment of nature reserves by local authorities" – of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

Councillor Coker (Cabinet member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure) introduced the report.  It was highlighted that -

a.     the Tamar Bridge was operated, maintained and improved jointly by Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council on a ‘user pays’ principle, being funded by toll income using powers derived from the Tamar Bridge Act;

b.    proposed increases to approved budgets are usually recommended by the Cabinets of the Joint Authorities to their respective Full Councils;

c.     the unexpected discovery of asbestos containing material (ACM) during the ongoing suspension system remedial works at the Tamar Bridge would significantly impact on remedial works ongoing on the bridge;

d.    the proposed budget increase, if fully utilised, would result in additional expenditure of £128,700 in the first year, and subsequently reducing as capital is repaid.

For the reasons as set out in the report and urgent requirement for decision the Cabinet agreed to -

1.    note the approval at the Tamar Bridge  / Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee for the increase in Capital for remedial works;

2.    note that works need to be completed to eliminate an unacceptable risk to the bridge structure and as a consequence service delivery;

3.    recommend that the Chief Executive approves an urgent non-executive decision under emergency provisions in consultation with the Leader, Opposition Leader and Section 151 Officer to avoid significant additional costs which would result from a stand still period until the next Council Meeting in September.

Councillor Coker (Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure) introduced a report on a sub-regional transport body. It was reported that –

a.     Local Authorities across the South West Region are embracing the need to put into place sub-national transport bodies (STBs) which provides them with the ability to speak with one clear voice on the challenges and investment needs for the region;

b.    such bodies would receive a unique opportunity for unprecedented access to Government and will gain a greater role in advising strategic investment decisions across the south west.    

For the reasons set out in the report Cabinet agreed –

1.    to join an informal partnership with Cornwall Council, Torbay Council, Devon County Council, Dorset County Council and Somerset County Council; which will be known as a shadow Sub-National Transport Body for the South West Peninsula, subject to Government agreeing with that proposal and subject to formal agreement of a final terms of reference once the partnership has formally convened.

2.    that the draft Terms of Reference and Heads of Terms attached as Appendix A provides an appropriate basis in principal upon which to create a partnership.

3.    to delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure to agree the final Terms of Reference for the shadow sub-national transport body subject to the terms being generally in accordance with the draft terms attached as Appendix A.

4.    to delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure to develop and agree a constitution for the South West Peninsula Sub-National Transport Body with the partner authorities. 

5.    to appoint the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure to represent the Council on the shadow Sub-National Transport Body.

6.    to delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Place and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure to agree a prospectus for the proposed Body for communication purposes.

7.    to approve an initial partnership funding contribution of up to £40,000.

1. to award 8 year contracts for bus services being re-tendered (7D, 13, 14, 18, 19, 31, 39, 52 and 223) with amendments to routes and timetables based on findings from on-bus surveys and knowledge developed over the current contract term to the tenderer offering best value for money, Stagecoach South West;

2. to award the contract for the new service into Sherford to the tenderer offering best value for money, Stagecoach South West;

3. to award the contract for replacement services for the commercial de-registered services to the tenderer offering best value for money, Plymouth Citybus.

Councillor Coker (Cabinet Member for Strategic Infrastructure and Planning) introduced the report.   Members were asked to consider information in the Part II report when considering the recommendations for approval.  It was highlighted that-

a.     the contract for nine council subsidised bus services ended in November 2018;

b.    the nine services accounted for over 2 per cent of bus journeys in the city;

c.     the nine services were last tendered in 2013, since then operating costs had risen but despite this the tendered network was being maintained;

d.    the contract award would be in place for eight years;

e.    an hourly Monday-Saturday daytime service into the new Sherford had been included in the tender exercise and was funded by Section 106 contributions.

For the reasons set out in the report Cabinet agreed –

1. to award 8 year contracts for bus services being re-tendered (7D, 13, 14, 18, 19, 31, 39, 52 and 223) with amendments to routes and timetables based on findings from on-bus surveys and knowledge developed over the current contract term to the tenderer offering best value for money, Stagecoach South West;

2. to award the contract for the new service into Sherford to the tenderer offering best value for money, Stagecoach South West;

3. to award the contract for replacement services for the commercial de-registered services to the tenderer offering best value for money, Plymouth Citybus.