Agenda and minutes

Cabinet - Tuesday 9 December 2014 2.30 pm

Venue: Council House (Next to the Civic Centre), Plymouth

Contact: Nicola Kirby  Email: nicola.kirby@plymouth.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

90.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST pdf icon PDF 33 KB

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

No declarations of interest were made in accordance with the code of conduct in respect of items under consideration at this meeting.

91.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 146 KB

To sign and confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2014.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2014.

92.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no public questions submitted for this meeting.

93.

CHAIR'S URGENT BUSINESS

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Evans (Council Leader) reported that the meeting had started later than usual because he and Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) had accompanied the Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP (Defence Secretary) on a boat trip to see Devonport Dockyard.  They had taken the opportunity to explain the proposals for South Yard which were part of the City Deal and had asked him to consider naming one of the new frigates HMS Plymouth.

94.

YOUR PLYMOUTH SCRUTINY PANEL CO-OPERATIVE REVIEW INTO PUBLIC FUNERALS pdf icon PDF 71 KB

Councillor Mrs Aspinall (Chair of the Your Plymouth Scrutiny Panel Co-operative Review Group) has been invited to attend to present the recommendations in the report of the Your Plymouth Scrutiny Panel following a co-operative review into public funerals.  

 

Kelechi Nnoaham (Director of Public Health) will submit a report responding to the recommendations in the scrutiny report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Mrs Aspinall (Chair of the Your Plymouth Scrutiny Panel Co-operative Review Group) presented the recommendations in the report of the Your Plymouth Scrutiny Panel following a co-operative review into public funerals, as amended prior to Cabinet, following a review of information provided to the review group and the consequent withdrawal of one of the recommendations under authority delegated by the Co-operative Scrutiny Board to the Lead Officer, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair (who was also the Chair of the review group). 

 

Councillor Mrs Aspinall informed Cabinet that -

 

(a)

both the Council and Derriford Hospital undertook public funerals but that the costs were different;

(b)

the aim was to provide a basic funeral and to treat the deceased with dignity and respect;

(c)

the Department for Work and Pensions would pay a grant to assist with funeral expenses to an individual but not to a local authority;

(d)

it was important to identify everyone’s next of kin and assistance was sought from registered landlords to record those details.

 

She thanked everyone who had assisted with the co-operative review group, including Nicola Horne (Service Manager, Public Protection Service), Darin Halifax (formerly Community Cohesion Co-ordinator) and Katey Johns (Democratic Support Officer).

 

Kelechi Nnoaham (Director of Public Health) submitted a report responding to the recommendations in the report of the review group.

 

Councillor Vincent (Cabinet Member for Environment) introduced the proposed actions in response to the recommendations from the review group and also thanked everyone who had contributed to the review.

 

Robin Carton (Head of Public Protection Service) attended the meeting for this item.

 

Councillor Evans (Council Leader) asked officers to liaise with other regulatory services to ascertain any current work on public funerals and if possible to join with others and to ask the Local Government Association to lobby for the payment of grants for funeral expenses to local authorities.

 

Alternative options considered and the reasons for the decision –

 

As set out in the report.

 

Agreed -

 

(1)

that thanks are extended to the members of the Your Plymouth Scrutiny Review of Public Funerals and the Co-operative Scrutiny Board;

(2) 

to note the recommendations contained in the Your Plymouth Scrutiny Report on Public Funerals and to agree the actions against each recommendation as set out in the report of the Director of Public Health.

 

95.

COST AND VOLUME FOR FOSTERING CONTRACT AWARD pdf icon PDF 112 KB

Carole Burgoyne (Strategic Director for People) will submit a report on the contract award for the provision of foster placements for children in care which are purchased from independent sector fostering agencies and are being commissioned for Plymouth City Council, Devon County Council and Torbay Council.

A separate private briefing paper is also submitted on the tender submissions which contain commercially confidential information.

 

A background paper (the equality impact assessment) 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/q3d6bmh

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Carole Burgoyne (Strategic Director for People) submitted a report on the contract award to provide framework agreements for the provision of foster placements for children in care which were purchased from independent sector fostering agencies and were being commissioned for Plymouth City, Devon County and Torbay Councils. The report detailed the tender and evaluation process undertaken.

 

Councillor Evans (Council Leader) drew the attention of Cabinet Members to the separate private report, containing commercially sensitive information, referred to in minute 109 below.   

 

Councillor McDonald (Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Public Health) introduced the proposals and indicated that –

   

(a)

the framework agreements provided foster placement stability and that the needs of the child were paramount;

(b)

annual savings of £54,324.51 were forecast against current year spend;

(c)

last year, there had been 3686 contacts at the front door and that this year, there had been 6345 contacts, to date, from agencies and others.  The increase was as a result of greater awareness but also increased neglect of children;

(d)

the tremendous work of corporate parents and foster parents was acknowledged and Councillor McDonald thanked all of the city’s foster parents for their commitment.

 

Councillor Evans highlighted the method statement on child sexual exploitation and urged everyone to read it to gain an understanding of the harrowing cases that were dealt with by children’s social workers.  He paid tribute to and thanked the social workers for their work.    

 

Emma Crowther (Commissioning Officer) attended the meeting for this item and reported that she had tried to balance the commercial elements of the agreements with the need to maintain a quality service.

 

Alternative options considered and reasons for the decision –

 

As set out in the report.

 

Agreed that the seven fostering providers listed in the private report (minute 109 refers) are awarded a framework agreement to commence on 1 February 2015.

96.

COLLABORATIVE ENFORCEMENT PILOT pdf icon PDF 85 KB

Chris Singer (Police) will submit a report building on the framework for working with our citizens and communities, adopted by Cabinet in July 2014, and setting out the case for, and scope of, a ‘Collaborative Enforcement’ Pilot between Devon and Cornwall Police and Plymouth City Council to enable communities to protect their local amenity and environment.

 

A background paper (the officer resourceavailable to undertake tasks) 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/q3d6bmh

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Superintendent Chris Singer (Devon and Cornwall Police) submitted a report building on the framework for working with our citizens and communities, adopted by Cabinet in July 2014, and setting out the case for, and scope of, a Collaborative Enforcement Pilot between Devon and Cornwall Police and Plymouth City Council to enable communities to protect their local amenity and environment.

 

The report indicated that in order to establish a good evidence base and test new ways of working, it was proposed that the pilot was undertaken through two projects –

 

(a)

Project 1: Community Based Project to be based in St Peter’s and the Waterfront area and would look to expand to other areas.  The initial pilot area was located in within a single Police sector;

(b)

Project 2: Problem based pilot: New Anti-Social Behaviour Powers with shared enforcement responsibility between the Council, Police and Registered Landlords; 

(c)

the pilot would run initially for up to 12 months and findings and recommendations for future action would be brought back to Cabinet to determine progression of collaborative working; 

(d)

delivery of the pilot would be overseen by the Safer Plymouth Partnership with update reports to the Project Manager (Director of Public Health) and the Cabinet Member. 

 

Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for (Cabinet Member for Co-operatives, Housing and Community Safety) introduced the proposals which would aim to deal with issues in the community at the first point of contact.

 

Robin Carton (Head of Public Protection Service) also attended the meeting.

 

Cabinet Members were advised that - 

 

(e)

council and police officers would be empowered to resolve issues such as graffiti and abandoned cars;

(f)

this report was also linked to the reports on anti-social behaviour and building strong and inclusive communities which were also on today’s agenda;   

(g)

progress would be reported to the Your Plymouth Scrutiny Panel and that a further report would be submitted to Cabinet if the pilot was to be extended to other areas.

 

Alternative options considered and the reasons for the decision –

 

As set out in the report.

 

Agreed -

 

(1)

the delivery of the Collaborative Enforcement Pilot;

(2)

to officers included in the Council’s scheme of delegations authorising suitable staff employed by Devon and Cornwall Police to undertake the enforcement functions assigned to the Authority (as stated by law and as may be identified by the proposed pilot);

(3) 

the authorisation of council officers by Devon and Cornwall Police for the purposes of the pilot;

(4) 

that the Co-operative Scrutiny Board is recommended to agree that Your Plymouth Scrutiny Panel works with the Safer Plymouth Partnership to identify how the findings of the Collaborative Enforcement pilot can be implemented on a city wide basis.

 

97.

ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, CRIME AND POLICING ACT 2014 pdf icon PDF 389 KB

Carole Burgoyne (Strategic Director for People) will submit a report on the framework and recommendations for the implementation of the new anti-social behaviour tools and powers set out in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which came into force on the 20 October 2014.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Carole Burgoyne (Strategic Director for People) submitted a report on the framework and recommendations for the implementation of the new anti-social behaviour tools and powers set out in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which came into force on the 20 October 2014.

 

The report indicated that the existing 19 powers for tackling anti-social behaviour had been replaced with six new ones and the quality of the Council’s partnership arrangements, both internally and externally, would be key to the efficient and effective implementation of the legislation. 

 

Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Co-operatives, Housing and Community Safety) introduced the report and indicated that –

 

(a)

government guidance was still being issued;

(b)

officers had looked at how other authorities across the peninsula were implementing the Act;

(c)

there were concerns that some of the new processes through the Courts would be slower and more expensive than existing arrangements.  It was also anticipated that more staff would be required to implement the provisions;  

(d)

ward councillors would no longer be given the opportunity to comment on dispersal orders as those powers had now transferred to the police.

 

Sarah Hopkins (Community Safety and Partnerships Manager), Dylan Sadler (Senior Lawyer) and Superintendent Chris Singer (Devon and Cornwall Police) attended the meeting for this item and Councillor Penberthy thanked Sarah and her team for their work.

 

Following concerns expressed about the transfer of powers to the police for dispersal orders, Cabinet Members were advised –

 

(e)

that the new public spaces protection orders had replaced the former dispersal order powers, however the extent of the new powers would be tested and determined through the courts in due course;

 

(f)

that the Police had new tactical powers and could authorise dispersal orders for short durations at very short notice;

 

(g)

by Superintendent Chris Singer that he would give an assurance that the police would always endeavour to discuss any pre planned dispersal orders with ward councillors and that the collaborative enforcement pilot would be using this as a means of joint problem solving;

(h)

that Councillor Evans would be raising the issue with the Local Government Association.

Alternative options considered and the reasons for the decision –

 

As set out in the report.

 

Agreed -

 

(1)

to note the provisions of Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014;

(2)

that injunctions are only used in cases where behaviour is likely to cause or is causing the most harassment, alarm and distress;

(3)

that, in respect of Community Protection Notices, the Fixed Penalty Notice for environmental anti-social behaviour is set at £100 and that authority is delegated to the Cabinet Member for Environment, to agree any future variations and early repayment reductions;

(4)

not to designate Community Protection Notice powers to Registered Housing Providers and that this decision is referred to the Co-operative Scrutiny Board for consideration;

(5)

that ‘closure powers’ are only used in circumstances where premises are linked to nuisance to the public or disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour of a serious  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97.

98.

BUILDING STRONG AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES pdf icon PDF 583 KB

Chris Singer (Police) will submit a report outlining a proposal which will contribute to Plymouth building strong and inclusive communities, tackling issues of discrimination and hatred as reflected in the Fairness Commission report. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Superintendent Chris Singer (Devon and Cornwall Police) submitted a report outlining a proposal which would contribute to Plymouth building strong and inclusive communities and tackling issues of discrimination and hatred as reflected in the Fairness Commission report. 

 

Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Co-operatives, Housing and Community Safety) introduced the report on behalf of Councillor Peter Smith (Deputy Leader).

 

Peter Aley (Head of Community Services) also attended the meeting and highlighted the importance of Cabinet Members and city leaders exercising their leadership roles to assist change whilst recognising that communities themselves would also need to change themselves.

 

Alternative options considered and the reasons for the decision –

 

As set out in the report.

 

Agreed that the following approach to promoting social cohesion in this city is adopted in order to address the issues outlined in the report -

 

(1)

to encourage the opportunity to include major employers and professional sports clubs in the city to contribute and act within this collective responsibility and to influence these partners to pool resources to support delivery of this agenda;

(2)

to expect a local campaign to be initiated by the city leaders to bring about consistent messaging around community cohesion in the city;

(3) 

that a full data/information gathering and analysis is undertaken and championed by city leaders. This will inform a better understanding of the issues affecting the city specific so that actions can be developed to deliver solutions and must sit within the wider context of the ‘Framework for Working with Citizens and Communities’;

(4) 

to drive the mandate for the review or refresh of the formal Information Sharing Agreement to support the creation of any data gathering and analysis requirements generally, but in relation to this proposal, around social cohesion; and

(5)

to seek to endorse, in the near future, a refreshed set of Welcoming City actions linked to the existing ‘Framework for Working with Citizens and Communities’ that are based on the intelligence gathered and which are agreed by city leaders.

 

99.

MAJOR EVENTS 2015 pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) will submit a report following this year’s highly successful ‘MTV Crashes’ event, on a proposal to hold the event on Plymouth Hoe for the next three years, with a financial underwriting by the Council to facilitate this major event for the benefit of the city, its businesses and community.

 

A separate private report will also be submitted on the proposal.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Following this year’s highly successful ‘MTV Crashes’ event, Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) submitted a report on a proposal to hold the event on Plymouth Hoe for the next three years, with a financial underwriting by the Council to facilitate this major event for the benefit of the city, its businesses and community, as part of the major events strategy.

 

The attention of Cabinet Members was drawn to the separate report, containing commercially sensitive information, referred to in minute 107 below.   

 

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

 

(a)

MTV was committed to keeping ticket prices at a reasonable cost; 

(b)

for the 2014 event, provision had been made for 1000 complimentary tickets for children in care and that the same provision would be made for the event in future years;

 

(c)

the 2015 events programme included the Ocean City Festival and the Rolex Fastnet. 

 

A video of this year’s event was shown to Cabinet Members.

 

David Draffan (Assistant Director for Economic Development), Chris Grace (Head of Economy, Enterprise and Employment), Jamie Yabsley (Visitor Marketing and Events Manager) attended the meeting for this item and officers advised that the MTV event brought invaluable publicity to the city and was important to the visitor economy.   They further advised that the event would be cost neutral to the Council.

 

In response to questions, Cabinet Members were advised that alcoholic drinks would be available at the MTV event and officers would endeavour to provide opportunities for local musicians to play on the stage.

 

Councillor Evans (Council Leader) thanked Jamie and the events’ team for their work.

 

Alternative options considered and the reasons for the decision –

 

As set out in the report.

 

Agreed -

 

(1)

Plymouth’s hosting of MTV ‘Crashes’ in 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 in line with the overall principles of the Plymouth Visitor Plan Star Project – signature and major events, as well as other city wide strategies;

(2)

the requirement to underwrite and cash flow the contractual MTV payment (as detailed in the private report)in lieu of the income and sponsorship;

(3) 

to delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Economic Development to sign the contract between the Council and MTV.

 

100.

FUTURE DELIVERY OF HIGHWAYS' SERVICES pdf icon PDF 280 KB

Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) will submit a report on the future delivery of Highways’ Services.

 

A separate private report will also be submitted on the proposal.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Evans (Council Leader) drew the attention of Cabinet Members to the separate private report on options for the future delivery of Highways Maintenance Services, which contained commercially sensitive information and was referred to in minute 108 below.   

 

Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) submitted a report on the options available to the Council for the delivery of Highways Maintenance Services, in both the long term and short and medium term. 

 

The report –

 

(a)

assessed the options and identified the relative advantages, disadvantages and risks of each;

(b)

indicated that elements of different models could be combined to customise a hybrid solution which may more closely align with the Council’s highway objectives;

(c)

advised that in the short to medium term, the options were largely dictated by the expiry of the current contractual arrangements with Amey on 30 November 2015;

(d)

concluded that mutual agreement was required with Amey if an extension to the existing contract was the preferred option.

             

Councillor Coker (Cabinet Member for Transport) introduced the proposals and indicated that -    

 

(e)

the current, seven year contract with Amey had commenced in 2008, with the option to extend it on an annual basis for a total of three years;

(f)

highway maintenance services had improved with the significant investment in recent years, the programme of pothole repairs and new, innovative working practices;

(g)

the authority had joined the South West Highways Alliance, which comprised all of the councils in the south west, so that authorities could work collaboratively in order to make savings and review new initiatives.

 

Councillor Coker proposed an amendment to recommendation (2) in the report to delegate authority to the Cabinet Members for Finance and Transport, to agree revised terms and conditions prior to the extension of the contract until 31 March 2017.

 

Adrian Trim (Head of Highways, Parking and Marine Services) attended the meeting for this item and indicated that he had reviewed the service provision in other local authorities.

 

Councillor Evans supported the amendment and –

 

(h)

indicated that the existing contract had not addressed the long history of the deteriorating road network and had not afforded Council tax payers any protection in relation to additional works that were required;

(i)

stressed that Cabinet Members and officers needed to ensure that an improvement in service provision was achieved, however he also acknowledged that a lot of work had been done but that further improvements were also necessary;    

(j)

advised that Cabinet Members would be monitoring the situation.

 

Alternative options considered and the reasons for the decision –

 

As set out in the report.

 

Agreed -

 

(1)

that the long term solutions for Highways Maintenance Services for the City of Plymouth are worked up for a final decision on preference of the proposed model by November 2015, drawing upon the best parts of other models, as outlined in paragraph 1.4, of the report;

(2)

to delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Finance, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100.

101.

PLYMOUTH PLAN (PART ONE) - CONSULTATION DRAFT PLAN pdf icon PDF 73 KB

Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) and Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) will submit a report seeking approval of the draft Plymouth Plan for consultation purposes.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) and Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) submitted a report seeking approval of the draft Plymouth Plan (Part One) for consultation purposes.   

 

The report indicated that –

 

(a)

thePlymouthPlanaimedtobe asinglestrategicplanfor Plymouth,settinga shareddirectionof travel for thecity which looked ahead to 2031 and whichtheCouncilanditspartnerswould usetoguidetheirserviceanddeliveryplanning. The document would bringtogethera rangeof statutoryandnon-statutorystrategiesandplansintoa singleintegratedplan;

(b)

the planwould be publishedin twoparts. PartOnewould comprisethecity’soverarchingvision,strategicobjectivesandthethematicandspatialpoliciesof theplan. PartTwowould identifyareaandsitespecificpoliciesacrossthecity and would be publishedfor consultationpurposesnextautumn;

(c)

theplanwould be aninteractiveweb basedplan,althougha fulldocumentstyleplanwould alsobe available.Thiswould be particularlyimportantforitsuseasthecity’sstatutorydevelopmentplan;

(d)

an extensive communityandpartnerengagementpro  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101.

102.

CITY DEAL SOUTH YARD PROPOSALS pdf icon PDF 4 MB

Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) will submit a report seeking approval to proceed with the finalisation of a Land Transfer Agreement to transfer areas of South Yard from Ministry of Defence to Plymouth City Council as part of the City Deal.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) submitted a report seeking approval to proceed with the finalisation of a Land Transfer Agreement to transfer areas of HM Naval Base South Yard from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to Plymouth City Council as part of the Plymouth and South West Peninsula City Deal.

 

The report -

 

(a)

presented a high-level vision and master-plan of the future South Yard Marine Industries Production Campus site which sought to safeguard and enhance its historic legacy;

(b)

presented a summary of the results of feasibility, site investigations and master-planning work which had been ongoing throughout 2014 and summarised the status of land transfer negotiations with the MoD to effect the transfer of parts of South Yard to Plymouth City Council for redevelopment as a Marine Industries Production Campus;

(c)

indicated that the site would provide new employment space along with access to deep water jetties and docks, thereby enabling marine sector companies to undertake a range of research, development and general commercial marine activities;

(d)

proposed the development of a business case to immediately begin direct development on the site on the eastern area of South Yard Area 1 site to create high-quality office space and a number of hybrid office/workshop units with flexibility to accommodate marine related design, training, technology development, laboratory and testing facilities, which were estimated to create over 150 jobs, along with construction jobs and apprentices; 

(e)

advised that, to safeguard the Naval Heritage Collection in the South Yard site, the Council had provided a commitment to retain it on site until an alternative arrangement was agreed between the MoD and Plymouth City Council;

(f)

informed Cabinet Members that, once developed, the campus should also contribute to the south west region’s Marine Energy Park concept to help support the wider marine renewable energy sector and hence contribute to the wider economic benefit of the region.

 

Councillor Evans (Council Leader) introduced the proposals and reiterated his comments in relation to his discussions with the RtHon Michael Fallon MP (Defence Secretary).  He indicated that during those discussions, he had paid tribute to role of Commodore Little in the progress of this initiative.

 

Mark Turner (South Yard Project Manager), David Draffan (Assistant Director for Economic Development) and Patrick Hartop (Head of City Deal) and Gareth Simmons (Head of Capital Strategy) attended the meeting for this item and indicated that the proposals had been phased so that an early start could be made on site.  The challenges facing the Council would be in relation to construction to safeguard the heritage of the site and that the outcome needed be self-sustaining. 

 

Alternative options considered and the reasons for the decision –

 

As set out in the report.

 

Agreed -

 

(1)

to delegate to the Strategic Director for Place the negotiation, finalisation and signing of a legal agreement to transfer areas of South Yard (namely Areas 1 and 5) from the Secretary of State for Defence to the Council;

(2) 

to authorise officers to prepare a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

102a

Recommendation to the City Council

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The City Council is Recommended to accept the funding offered as part of the City Deal Agreement (dated 31 January 2014) towards the creation of a South Yard Marine Industries Production Campus ie: Department for Communities and Local Government grant of £8m, a £5m loan from the Local Enterprise Partnership (Growing Places) and a loan of up to £1m from the Ministry of Defence.

103.

RENEWAL OF BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FOR CITY CENTRE pdf icon PDF 171 KB

Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) will submit a report seeking endorsement of the principles and overall approach of the Plymouth City Centre Company Business Improvement District (BID) and their Business Plan for 2015 to 2020 and support, financial and in kind prior to the ballot and before the BID reaches the end of its second term on 31 March 2015.  The report will also seek approval of the ballot and voting arrangements. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) submitted a report –

 

(a)

seeking endorsement of the principles and overall approach of the Plymouth City Centre Company Business Improvement District (BID) and their Business Plan for 2015 to 2020;

(b)

setting out the proposed City Council’s financial and in kind support at a total value of support, cash, in kind commitments and BID levy payments over five years of £3,137,500; 

(c)

indicating that further capital support had also been requested over the initial £1,000,000 plus over the next five years subject to funding and business cases which would supplement the improvements at Frankfort Gate and further City Market refurbishments;  

(d)

indicating that matched with City Council, property owners and other financial contributors funding, it was projected that a sum in the region of £8,652,500 would be generated during the five year term of the BID including cash and in kind;  

(e)

on the ballot and voting arrangements. 

 

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the proposals and stressed that the City Centre was highly important to the City Council and as an economic and jobs driver for the city itself.  The Council had committed up to £5m of funding over the next five years to key city centre projects including a new coach hub, development of the £24million Plymouth International History Centre, the new Drake’s Leisure and cinema complex at Bretonside and the new First Stop facility in Cornwall Street.  He advised that if the City Centre BID ballot was successful, further investment would be brought in by the City Centre Company.

 

Councillor Evans (Council Leader) welcomed Douglas Fletcher (Chair of the City Centre Company), Stefan Krause (City Centre Manager) and Amanda Lumley (Chief Executive Officer, Destination Plymouth) to the meeting in addition to David Draffan (Assistant Director for Economic Development) and Chris Grace (Head of Economy, Enterprise and Employment) who also attended the meeting for this item. 

 

Stefan Krause and Doug Fletcher advised that –

 

(f)

the focus of the new BID was on step change and major improvements to move it forward as a key shopping and community destination.  Partnership was crucial to success of the BID and the support of the City Council was and would continue to be very valuable in this respect;  

(g)

the proposals for the new BID business plan would be signed off by the City Centre Board on 10 December 2014;

(h)

shopping and entertainment was important as a key economic and employment driver and events in the city centre needed to be improved and established as regular tourist attractions.

 

Amanda Lumley also stressed the importance of shopping to the city (40 per cent of visitors cite shopping as a key activity) and advised that Destination Plymouth supported the BID and the City Centre as a retail destination in its own right.          

 

Councillor Evans thanked Doug Fletcher for his commitment to the City Centre and for his drive, enthusiasm and support.     

 

Alternative options considered and the reasons for the decision –

 

As set  ...  view the full minutes text for item 103.

104.

DELIVERING THE CO-OPERATIVE VISION WITHIN A FOUR YEAR SUSTAINABLE BALANCED BUDGET pdf icon PDF 386 KB

The Chief Executive will submit a report on the indicative four year balanced budget for the period 2015/16 to 2018/19 to fulfil the Council’s statutory responsibility of setting a robust and realistic annual budget.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chief Executive submitted a report on the indicative four year balanced budget for the period 2015/16 to 2018/19 to fulfil the Council’s statutory responsibility of setting a robust and realistic annual budget.

 

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the proposals and drew attention to the 69 per cent reduction in formula grant from the government over the four year period from 2014/15 to 2018/19. He reported that with the transformation change programme, a plan would be in place to transform, with partners, in order to deliver services.

 

Cabinet Members reported that –

 

(a)

vital services were being protected and that it was hoped that transformation would also provide opportunities to improve the quality of services;

(b)

there were continuing challenges for adult social care; 

(c)

with the massive cuts, the Council had to work differently;

(d)

the Plymouth Energy Company had levered in nearly £5m of funding and was working with communities to provide insulation and save energy;

(e)

a weekly brown bin collection was being maintained;

(f)

the Council was not proposing to cut services, road maintenance and infrastructure or street lighting and had made further investment in roads and street lighting.

 

David Northey (Head of Corporate Strategy) attended the meeting for this item.

 

Alternative options considered and the reasons for the decision –

 

As set out in the report.

 

Agreed that -

 

(1)

the proposed revenue target budget requirement for 2015/16 of £191m, and capital forecast of £210.15m is presented for full public scrutiny in January 2015;

(2)

members and officers continue to bring forward further solutions in order to close the existing £1.2m budget gap in 2015/16;

(3)

the proposed indicative revenue forecasts for 2016/17, 2017/18 and 2018/19 are also presented for full public scrutiny in January 2015;

(4)

Cabinet consider findings from consultation, feedback from budget scrutiny and any material changes announced in the final settlement for Plymouth City Council in early February 2015.

 

105.

THANKS

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Evans (Council Leader) thanked all the officers for their work for this meeting and conveyed the compliments of the season to everyone.

106.

EXEMPT BUSINESS

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 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.  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).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Agreed that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public are 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.

107.

MAJOR EVENTS 2015 (E3)

Further to the report referred to in part 1 of the agenda, Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) will submit a report on confidential details relating to the proposal for the MTV event.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) submitted a private report on confidential details relating to the proposal for the MTV event.

 

(See also minute 99 above)

 

108.

FUTURE DELIVERY OF HIGHWAYS' SERVICES (E3)

Further to the report referred to in part 1 of the agenda, Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) will submit a report on commercially sensitive details relating to the future delivery of Highways’ Services.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) submitted a private report on commercially sensitive details relating to the future delivery of Highways’ Services.

 

(See also minute 100 above)

109.

COST AND VOLUME FOR FOSTERING CONTRACT AWARD (E3)

Further to the report referred to in part 1 of the agenda, Carole Burgoyne (Strategic Director for People) will submit a report on commercially sensitive details relating to the cost and volume contract for fostering.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Carole Burgoyne (Strategic Director for People) submitted a private report on commercially sensitive details relating to the cost and volume contract for fostering and identifying the successful tenderers.

 

(See also minute 95 above)