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 9 December 2014.

Agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2014.

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 submitted from members of the public for this meeting.

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.

Malcolm Coe (Assistant Director for Finance) will submit a report providing a Council Tax Base for tax setting purposes and seeking approval to the continuation of the existing 2014/15 Council Tax Support Scheme for the 2015/16 financial year.   

Malcolm Coe (Assistant Director for Finance) submitted a report providing a Council Tax Base for tax setting purposes for 2015/16 in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, and seeking approval to the continuation of the existing 2014/15 Council Tax Support Scheme for the 2015/16 financial year. 

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

Alternative options considered and the reasons for the decision –

As set out in the report.

The City Council is Recommended to approve -

Carole Burgoyne (Strategic Director for People) will submit a written report on the OFSTED report following an inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, children looked after and care leavers and review of the effectiveness of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.  Cabinet will also be asked to consider a draft improvement plan in response to the report.    

Carole Burgoyne (Strategic Director for People) submitted a written report on the OFSTED report following an inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, looked after children and care leavers and review of the effectiveness of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.  The OFSTED report and a draft improvement plan were also submitted. 

The report indicated that –

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

Councillor McDonald moved an additional recommendation as follows –

Councillor Lowry seconded the proposal and indicated that there would be cost implications as a consequence of the Council’s response to the OFSTED report. He emphasised that the Council was committed to supporting children in care and that there would be a need to identify additional monies, subject to business cases and reviews.  He advised that when the detail had been worked up, a further report would be made to Cabinet.

Alison Botham (Assistant Director for Children’s Social Care) attended the meeting for this item.

Carole Burgoyne reported that –

Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) will submit a report on the recommendations of the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee in relation to the Business Plan 2015 – 2019 and the 2015/16 Revenue Estimates and Capital Programme. Cabinet will be asked to make recommendations to the City Council.  

Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) submitted a report on the recommendations of the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee in relation to the Business Plan 2015 – 2019 and the 2015/16 Revenue Estimates and Capital Programme.

Minutes 28 and 29 of the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee were also submitted.    

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

David List (General Manager, Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry) and Andrew Valance (Business Manager, Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry) attended the meeting for this item and David List reported that 1% growth in income had been assumed for 2015/16.  He also indicated that provision had been included in the reserves for further projects which were yet to receive approval of business cases.

Alternative options considered and the reasons for the decision –

As set out in the report.

The City Council is Recommended to –

Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) will submit a report on the draft Local Government Pension Scheme 2014 which is recommended by the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee for approval. Cabinet will be asked to make a recommendation to the City Council.  

Anthony Payne (Strategic Director for Place) submitted a report on the draft Local Government Pension Scheme Draft Discretions Policy for Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry staff as required by the Local Government Pensions Scheme 2014. 

Minute 30 of the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee was also submitted, recommending the draft policy for approval.  

Councillor Coker (Cabinet Member for Transport) introduced the proposals and indicated that as Cornwall Council was the lead authority for the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry, the Discretions Policy had been based on Cornwall Council’s scheme.

David List (General Manager, Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry) and Andrew Valance (Business Manager, Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry) attended the meeting for this item.  

Alternative options considered and the reasons for the decision –

As set out in the report.

The City Council is Recommended to approve the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee’s Local Government Pension Scheme 2014 Discretions Policy.