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 10 December 2013 and to note the urgent decision to implement minute 71 immediately.

The urgent decision to implement minute 71 immediately was noted.

Agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 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 the questioner, a written response would be sent to him as set out below -

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 James (Chair of the Co-operative Scrutiny Board) has been invited to attend Cabinet to present the recommendations in the scrutiny report on the Council Tax (attachment of earnings) from the Co-operative Scrutiny Board.

The Assistant Director for Finance will submit a report reviewing the impact of the localised Council Tax Support Scheme for Plymouth and to make relevant recommendations for changes in 2014/15 following consideration of the scrutiny report.

Cabinet received the scrutiny report on the Council Tax (attachment of earnings)    

and Malcolm Coe (Assistant Director for Finance) submitted a report reviewing the impact of the localised Council Tax Support Scheme for Plymouth and making recommendations for changes in 2014/15 following consideration of the scrutiny report.

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the proposals and advised that a number of measures had been taken to assist those in financial difficulty including personal payment plans.  

The Chair advised Cabinet Members that Councillor James (Chair of the Cooperative Scrutiny Board), had been invited to attend the meeting today to present the recommendations in the scrutiny report but was unable to attend today.

Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Communities) advised that the Council was unable to take payments direct from earnings without a Court order and indicated that the government should review this.  He also reported that two schemes had already been introduced for saving with Credit Unions.      

Alternative options considered and reasons for the decision –

As set out in the report.

Agreed that - 

The City Council is Recommended to approve that the 2013/14 Council Tax Support Scheme continues for the 2014/15 financial year and that all elements of the scheme remain the same except the requirement for minimum contribution for all working age residents reducing from 20 per cent to 25 per cent.

The Assistant Director for Finance will submit a report on the proposed Council Tax-base for tax setting purposes in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 2012.

Malcolm Coe (Assistant Director for Finance) submitted a report on the proposed Council Tax base for tax setting purposes in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 2012.  

The report indicated that a tax base of 67,066 would a Council Tax requirement of £86,847,153.38, assuming a 1.99 per cent increase. 

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the proposal which would feed into revenue budget setting.    

Alternative options considered and reasons for the decision –

As set out in the report.

The City Council is Recommended to approve the Council Tax base for 2014/15 tax setting as 67,066 Band D equivalents, which is the tax base after allowing for an estimated collection rate of 97.5 per cent. 

The Strategic Director for Place will submit a report on a scheme to restore the redundant Laira Rail Bridge, which crosses the River Plym, and to bring the bridge back into operation as a shared use pedestrian and cycle path, linking to the National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 27 which passes through the Saltram Country Park, along with other local routes.  Cabinet will be asked to award the contract for the refurbishment of the bridge. 

See also agenda item 10 below.

Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) submitted a report on a scheme to restore the redundant Laira Rail Bridge, which crossed the River Plym, to bring the bridge back into operation as a shared use pedestrian and cycle path, linking to the National Cycle Network which passed through the Saltram Country Park, along with other local routes. 

Cabinet were asked to award the contract for the refurbishment of the bridge. 

A separate private report was also submitted which contained commercially sensitive information and was referred to in minute 95 below.

Councillor Coker (Cabinet Member for Transport) introduced the proposals and indicated that the £3.5m scheme would be due for completion in March 2015.

Cabinet Members welcomed the proposals in view of the planned housing development in Sherford and to secure the city’s industrial heritage.

Agreed that the contract for the refurbishment of Laira Rail Bridge is awarded to South West Highways. 

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. At the time this agenda is published no representations have been made that this part of the meeting should be in public.

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

No representations had been made that this part of the meeting of should be in public.

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 item of business on the grounds that it involves 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.

The Strategic Director for Place will submit a report on confidential details relating to the contract award for the refurbishment of Laira Rail Bridge. (Agenda item 8 refers).

Further to minute 93 above, Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) submitted a report on commercially sensitive details relating to the contract award for the refurbishment of Laira Rail Bridge.