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 made by councillors in accordance with the code of conduct in relation to items under consideration at this meeting.

To sign and confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6 August 2013.

Agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 6 August 2013.

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, Civic Centre, Plymouth, PL1 2AA, or email to democraticsupport@plymouth.gov.uk. Any questions must be received at least five clear working days before the date of the meeting.

One question was submitted by a member of the public for this meeting, in accordance with Part B, paragraph 11 of the Constitution.

In the absence of Mr Sharpe, a written response would be sent to him as set out below.

The Director for Place and the Interim Director for Corporate Services will submit a report seeking authority to award the contract for the redevelopment of the Civic Centre and adjoining car park to the preferred bidder, to agree where services and staff will be relocated, the financial resources and to ask the City Council to agree capital resources.

The minute of the Co-operative Scrutiny Board of 21 August 2013 is also submitted.

Background papers to this report can be accessed at the Council’s website Council and Democracy/Councillors and Committees/Library/Cabinet background papers or using the following hyperlink –

http://tinyurl.com/bdqgk2r

Anthony Payne (Director for Place) and David Trussler (Interim Director for Corporate Services) submitted a report seeking authority to award the contract for the redevelopment of the Civic Centre and adjoining car park to the preferred bidder, to agree where services and staff will be relocated following an options appraisal, to agree the financial resources and to ask the City Council to agree capital resources.

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the proposals and computer generated images of the proposals relating to the Civic Centre were shown to Cabinet. It was emphasised that the proposals were subject to further work and planning considerations and Councillor Lowry hoped that the public would be provided with an opportunity to express their views.    

Cabinet Members welcomed –

Cabinet Members’ attention was also drawn to the separate private report, referred to in minute 45 below, which included commercially sensitive information.   

Alternative options considered and reasons for the decision –

As set out in the report.

Minute 53 of the Co-operative Scrutiny Board of 21 August 2013 was also submitted endorsing the recommendations in the written reports and seeking an update in three months’ time with further information to be provided as set out in the minute.

The Chair expressed his gratitude to Les Allen (Transformation Programmes Manager) and Alwyn Thomas (Civic Centre Project Director) (who were in attendance at the meeting) for their work on this project.    

Agreed –

Further to minute 38 above, the City Council is Recommended to agree appropriate capital budgets to achieve decant of the Civic Centre, as identified within the private report referred to in minute 45 below.

The Director for Place will submit a report on the development of a ‘History Centre’ project at North Hill / Tavistock Place and seeks authority for officers to progress the vision and undertake a major Heritage Lottery Fund application.

Anthony Payne (Director for Place) submitted a report on the development of a ‘History Centre’ project at North Hill / Tavistock Place and sought authority for officers to progress the vision and undertake a major Heritage Lottery Fund application.

The report indicated that there was a current commitment of £2m in the capital programme, of which £1.5m would be eligible as match funding with potential grant funding of £3m.

Subject to a further Cabinet report in 2014, the council would be committed to developing –

Councillor Peter Smith (Deputy Leader) introduced the proposals which would -

Louisa Blight (City Archivist) and Nicola Moyle (Head of Arts and Heritage) attended the meeting and Nicola Moyle addressed Cabinet Members.

Alternative options considered and reasons for the decision –

As set out in the report.

Having considered the benefits set out in the written report, Agreed –

The Director for Place will submit a report setting out the business justification and contracting strategy for a concession contract which will enable the delivery of a core wireless network in public spaces within Plymouth. The concession will enable Plymouth City Council to engage a commercial provider to roll out a wireless network across the city to realise wider social and economic benefits. 

A background paper to this report can be accessed at the Council’s website Council and Democracy/Councillors and Committees/Library/Cabinet background papers or using the following hyperlink –

http://tinyurl.com/bdqgk2r

Anthony Payne (Director for Place) submitted a report setting out the business justification and contracting strategy for a concession contract which would enable the delivery of a core wireless network in public spaces within Plymouth. The concession would enable Plymouth City Council to engage a commercial provider to roll out a wireless network across the city to realise wider social and economic benefits.

Councillor Evans (Council Leader) introduced the proposals which would provide a   

freewi-fi facility for visitor and residents in the City Centre and waterfront areas.   

Sheldon Ryan (Economic Development Officer) attended the meeting and outlined the procurement process for the network. 

Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Community Development) indicated that as part of the contract, there would be no advertisements for pay day lenders and access would be blocked.

The Chair thanked Sheldon Ryan for his work on this project.

Alternative options considered and reasons for the decision –

As set out in the report.

Agreed –

The Director for Place will submit a written report on a request to assist the delivery of a major improvement to the Home Park Football Stadium, in a £57.0m commercial development centred on the adjoining privately-owned Higher Home Park. The proposal will also include improvements to sporting facilities and landscaping at Central Park in the immediate vicinity of the Home Park area.  In order to enable commercial funding to be obtained, Cabinet is requested to authorise the surrender of the existing lease of the football stadium, the re-grant of the stadium lease over a reduced area, the transfer of the freehold interest of part of the existing leasehold area that is needed for the proposed commercial development, and associated estates matters mainly relating to site access. 

Anthony Payne (Director for Place) submitted a written report on a request to assist the delivery of a major improvement to the Home Park Football Stadium, in a £57m commercial development centred on the adjoining privately-owned Higher Home Park. The proposal would also include improvements to sporting facilities and landscaping at Central Park in the immediate vicinity of the Home Park area.  In order to enable commercial funding to be obtained, Cabinet was requested to authorise the surrender of the existing lease of the football stadium, re-grant the stadium lease over a reduced area, transfer the freehold interest of part of the existing leasehold area that was needed for the proposed commercial development, and agree associated estates’ matters (mainly relating to site access). 

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the proposals and indicated that -  

Cabinet Members referred to -

David James (Head of Strategic Development Projects) attended the meeting and the Chair thanked him for his work on the negotiations.   

Alternative options considered and reasons for the decision –

As set out in the report.

Agreed –

The Chief Executive will submit a report identifying some of the key financial challenges that the council faces over the coming three years, proposing a revised approach to financial planning over the medium term, and seeking support for a council-wide transformation programme based on co-operative values to substantially reduce the operating costs of the council and ensure the maximum possible investment in achieving Corporate Plan objectives.

Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) submitted a report identifying some of the key financial challenges that the council would face over the coming three years and proposing a revised approach to financial planning over the medium term. The report also sought support for a council-wide transformation programme based on co-operative values to substantially reduce the operating costs of the council and ensure the maximum possible investment in achieving Corporate Plan objectives.

Councillor Evans (Council Leader) introduced the proposals and indicated that -  

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) referred to recent press statements by Oliver Colville MP, relating to requests for further spending proposals in the city and indicated that no such requests had been submitted to the local authority. Councillor Lowry indicated that he would welcome a meeting with Oliver Colville MP or representatives of any other local authorities should they wish to contact him. 

Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) advised Cabinet Members that the council would await the local government settlement in December 2013/ January 2014 and would be working with partners across the city on the major transformation programme.     

Alternative options considered and reasons for the decision –

As set out in the report.

Cabinet was advised that the proposals would be considered by the Co-operative Scrutiny Board on 4 September 2013 and that the recommendations would be submitted direct to the City Council meeting for consideration.

The City Council is Recommended to -

The Director for People will submit a report summarising the recent competitive tender process for an externally provided reablement service which enables people to re-gain their independence in areas such as personal care, daily living activities and other practical tasks following a period of illness, or an injury.   The service will be commissioned in partnership with the Western Locality of NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group.  

Carole Burgoyne (Director for People) submitted a report summarising the recent competitive tender process for an externally provided reablement service which enabled people to re-gain their independence in areas such as personal care, daily living activities and other practical tasks following a period of illness, or an injury.   The service would be commissioned in partnership with the Western Locality of NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group. 

Councillor McDonald (Cabinet Member for Public Health and Adult Social Care) introduced the proposals and indicated that –

Debbie Butcher (Head of Safeguarding, Quality and Individual Placements) attended and addressed Cabinet Members. 

Cabinet Members’ attention was also drawn to the separate private report, referred to in minute 46 below, which included commercially sensitive information.   

Alternative options considered and reasons for the decision –

As set out in the reports.

Agreed to award a three year contract, containing an option to extend the contract for a further two years in one year extensions, to the Human Support Group Ltd, any contract extension to be the subject of a future delegated authority decision.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it (they) involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

(Members of the public to note that, if agreed, you will be asked to leave the meeting).

Agreed that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Further to item 5 above, the Director for Place and the Interim Director for Corporate Services will submit a private report on the redevelopment of the Civic Centre and future accommodation requirements including financial and business details.    

Further to item 10, the Director for People will submit a private report on the outcome of the tender process and the evaluation process for the reablement service. 

Further to minute 43 above, Carole Burgoyne (Director for People) submitted a private report on the outcome of the recent competitive tender process for an externally provided reablement service, which contained commercially sensitive information.