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 members.

To sign and confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2016 were agreed.

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 was one question from a member of the public.  The questioner attended the meeting and was given the response as follows -

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

Councillor Evans (Leader) invited the Cabinet to send thoughts and condolences to those in Brussels following the bombings which had taken place that morning.  He advised that the flags outside the Guildhall were being flown at half-mast as a mark of respect.

To receive an update on the History Centre.

Councillor Smith introduced and David Draffan (Assistant Director for Economic Development), Nicola Moyle (Head of Arts and Heritage), Gareth Simmons (Strategic Project Director) and Paul Brookes (Programme Director – History Centre) gave a presentation on the History Centre.

The Leader requested that the presentation be put on the Council Website and that a video of the building also be made available if possible.

The Cabinet thanked the officers involved for all of their time and effort on the project.

To receive information on HCA funded acquisitions.

Councillor Lowry introduced and David Draffan (Assistant Director for Economic Development), Mark Brunsdon (Strategic Project Director) and James Watt (Head of Land and Property) presented and item on Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) funded Acquisitions.

Plans for sites were outlined.  These sites included Colin Campbell Court and five sites between Bath Street and Martin Street.

The Cabinet thanked officers for their work on the negotiations which would result in splendid transformations in the City Centre.

To receive information on British Land – Drake Circus Leisure.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

To receive information on the revitalisation of Charles Cross.

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced and Graham Naylor (Librarian), Gareth Simmons (Strategic Project Director), James Watt (Head of Land and Property), Mark Brunsdon (Strategic Project Director) and David Draffan (Assistant Director for Economic Development) presented an item on the revitalisation of Charles Cross.

Cabinet was told about the history of the Church and the plans for the Church.   Including –

Cabinet thanked the officers for their work on the project, in particular Graham Naylor for bringing the History alive during the presentation of the item.

To receive information on the acquisition of strategic city sites.

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the item and Mark Brunsdon (Head of Strategic Development Projects) alongside John Kinsey, Mike Easton and Matt Lederer from JLL Consultants present plans for the development of the site of the former Quality Inn Hotel.

The Leader stressed that it was vital that an exceptional offer was available in time for the 2020 celebrations.

To receive information on the Asset Investment Fund.

Councillor Lowry introduced and James Watt (Head of Land and Property), Mark Brunsdon (Head of Strategic Development Projects) and David Draffan (Assistant Director for Economic Development) presented and item on the Asset Investment Fund.

Councillor Lowry advised that £25 million had been ring fenced in the Council’s capital budget for investment in commercial property related activities.

The Cabinet thanked the officers.

Giles Perritt (Assistant Chief Executive) will submit the social value and sustainability policy.

Councillor Penberthy introduced and Sarah Gooding (Policy and Performance Assistant) presented the Social Value and Sustainability Policy.

Councillor Penberthy outlined the plan for the policy to become part of the everyday considerations of all officers and that training would be made available in order to make this culture change possible.

The Leader requested that attempts be made to turn the policy into an article suitable for distribution and to look for awards relating to the subject matter.

Agreed to adopt the Social Value and Sustainability Policy.

The Leader thanked the officers for the report.

Giles Perritt (Assistant Chief Executive) will submit the ICT Strategy.

Councillor Jon Taylor (Cabinet Member for Transformation and Customer Services) introduced and Les Allen (Head of Transformation Programme) and Giles Letheren (Delt Operations Manager) presented the ICT Strategy.

The strategy had been written in plain English and was easy to read and understand even by those who were not technically minded.

Agreed to endorse the ICT Strategy.

To sign off ‘the Pledges’.

The Leader presented a report on the 50 Pledges of the Administration.

He is advised that 48 pledges had been completed and the remaining two would be completed by the following week.

The Leader ran through the pledges that had been achieved.

The Leader thanked his Cabinet Members, the Council’s Management teams and every officer of the Council for all the hard work they do on a daily basis.