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.

There were no declarations of interest.

To sign and confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2020.

Councillor Coker (Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure) proposed an amendment to the minutes for 10 March 2020 (Minute 28). Amendment to reflect the update provided by Councillor Coker where he announced the launch of a new programme; Plymouth quieter neighbourhoods – Connected Communities.  This program is aimed at celebrating the distinctiveness of Plymouth’s communities and a place making approach to the design of Plymouth’s streets.

Amended minutes were proposed as a true and accurate record by the Chair, Councillor Evans. Seconded by Councillor Sue Dann and agreed by Cabinet.

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.

There was no urgent business raised.

Ruth Harrell (Director of Public Health) provided an update and it was highlighted that in Plymouth there have been cases of COVID-19 and lives have been lost.  People have been badly affected and this was an awful tragedy for everyone concerned, however, the number of cases and deaths has been relatively low in the south west with social distancing having an impact.

There have been 44 deaths attributed to COVID-19 across the city with 400 cases of people infected.  The testing centre opened rapidly in Plymouth and the next key focus would be on what happens next.  There would be some guidance on coming out of the lockdown on Sunday in which we should see the gradual loosening of lockdown.

The more days people spend in isolation reduces the number of cases.  This was a new disease and they were learning from research locally, nationally and across the world.  The focus now on increasing the testing and people with any symptoms to self-isolate.  There was a burden on asking people to isolate with a direct impact of COVID-19 on mental health, accessing other NHS services and impact on the economy could not be underestimated.

Questions:

Councillor Lowry regarding who are key workers and testing.

Councillor Evans regarding information available on the council website

The Committee noted the update from the Director of Public Health.

Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) provided an update on Plymouth City Council’s response to COVID-19 and conveyed her condolences to those that have lost a loved one.  Thanks were given to Plymouth City Council’s employees that have stepped up to ensure that critical services were being delivered and maintained as well as delivering new services.  It was highlighted that –

·        Gold (Strategic), silver (tactical) and bronze (operational) commands had been set up and were currently in the emergency response phase covering 4 objectives:

·           preserving life and limiting harm

·           keeping services open whilst keeping staff safe

·           supporting the local economy

·           visible and proactive community leadership

·        £8.4m funding had been received from central Government and a further £7.2m is anticipated to cover the costs of COVID-19.

83% of Council staff are able to work from home and a workforce Bureau has been out in place to reassign staff where extra resource is required.

New services include supporting those shielding, Good neighbour schemes, and support for Domestic Abuse.

The Committee noted the update on Plymouth City Council’s response to COVID-19.

A Video ‘Plymouth in Lockdown’ was played for Members.

Councillor Evans (Leader) highlighted -

·        Proud of how the city had come together in this current crisis and how people had supported each other;

·        People were anxious and people have lost loved ones and dealing with the isolation and financial security.  The council were doing everything it could to steer through these difficult times;

·        Thanks were given to the economic team.  They have been undertaking weekly calls with the Chamber of Commerce and PMG and making sure business were responding and lobbying the LEP and government business departments, LGA regarding the shortfall in government support;

·        £37m distributed to over 3,000 businesses.  There were still some businesses entitled to money and were in the process of tracking these down.  If we can help we want to help and want those businesses to survive;

·        Helpline for small businesses;

·        Lobbying success for fishing with £10m received;

·        Call for Fish has now spread to 23 ports around the country.  This started in Plymouth;

·        Shop4Plymouth, a new initiative is working well;

·        Recovery programme for Plymouth launch announced which is called ‘Resurgum’ which has four stages

o   Acute

o   Analysis

o   Recover

o   Return

·         Opening date of the Box is still being reviewed.

Councillor Peter Smith (Deputy Leader):  It was reported that:

·        They have implemented Government guidance for protecting staff and for staff to work at home.  Measures would be put in place to support staff with mental health and emotional wellbeing;

·        Sport and leisure currently all closed.  Everyone Active provide a daily podcast to encourage activity at home.  Plymouth has been selected by Sport England to support children and young people to improve lives through activity and sport;

·        VE Day 75 events on the Hoe had been cancelled, however there were on line events to help celebrate safely at home;

·        History Festival event had been cancelled, however was available to view on line;

·        Other options were being looked at for Mayflower 400 celebrations;

·        Discussions were taking place on the completion of the Elizabethan House project;

·        Library service was available on-line with 7,000 e-book and audio books downloaded since the lockdown.

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance).  It was reported that:

·        Currently revenue was £190m for this financial year;

·        Early assessment of COVID-19 on the city finances may cost £50m and they were working on refining this figure.  Central government were fully aware of this cost and government have said that we would be fully reimbursed for the fight against COVID-19;

·        Deferred payment of businesses rates for 2 months which can now be paid over 10 months rather than 12 months;

·        Council tax was still being paid by residents and thank you.  Last year there were 12,000 missed payments and this year 14,000 missed payment.  Self-employed can defer payments until July 2020.

Andrew Hardingham (Director of Finance) was called to speak by the Chair.

Reiterated the further £7.2m to be received and money received (£2.5m) for hardship relief.

However continuing pressures mean further funding will be necessary to meet shortfall.

Councillor Laing (Cabinet Member for Children and Young People).  It was reported that:

·        Social worker have reviewed every child and this was reviewed weekly to ensure that they were providing the right support.  PPE provided for home visits;

·        Continuing to provide support to care leavers;

·        Lockdown impact on mental health and wellbeing and this was being discussed when contact was made with children and young people;

·        Fostering and recruitment was continuing safely.  Personal thanks to foster carers.

·        Some children have entered care due to lockdown related issues and this has given to a rise in those in care which is being monitored.

·        Responding to safeguarding issues with the police to ensure action was taken;

·        There was no shame in asking for help and that we want to help families get through this.

Councillor Kate Taylor (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care).  It was reported that:

·        Caring for Plymouth and alliance between Plymouth City Council, Livewell SW and community organisations have established an offer from 8 am to 8 pm to support Operation Shield.  Thanks was given to each organisation and their staff for making a huge difference;

·        Plymouth has 97 care homes across the city.  Twelve of the care homes currently  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Leader, Councillor Evans OBE introduced the report on Strategic Objectives for Plymouth City Council (Covid-19). Giles Perritt, Assistant Chief Executive was in support. This was an urgent decision before Cabinet given that national emergency planning best practice is to identify recovery and renewal priorities as soon as practicable during the response phase to a major incident. Given the dynamic nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, the earliest opportunity has been taken to agree and publish the recovery and renewal framework to enable responses to national and local policy changes to be appropriately guided.

Following a discussion Cabinet agreed:

1.    To note the challenges and opportunities at section (3) of the accompanying report that the city has faced since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak;

2.    To note the key assumptions and adopt the key principles at section (3) of the accompanying report to guide decision making

3.    Early recovery and renewal priorities and objectives at section (4) of the accompanying report

4.    The terms of reference for the Reset Board

The Leader, Councillor Evans OBE introduced the report on Strategic Objectives for Plymouth City Council (Covid-19). Giles Perritt, Assistant Chief Executive was in support. This was an urgent decision before Cabinet given that national emergency planning best practice is to identify recovery and renewal priorities as soon as practicable during the response phase to a major incident. Given the dynamic nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, the earliest opportunity has been taken to agree and publish the recovery and renewal framework to enable responses to national and local policy changes to be appropriately guided.

Following a discussion Cabinet agreed:

1.    To note the challenges and opportunities at section (3) of the accompanying report that the city has faced since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak;

2.    To note the key assumptions and adopt the key principles at section (3) of the accompanying report to guide decision making

3.    Early recovery and renewal priorities and objectives at section (4) of the accompanying report

4.    The terms of reference for the Reset Board