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.

To sign and confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2019 were confirmed as a true and accurate record.

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 from members of the public.

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

There was no urgent business from the Chair.

The Leader, Councillor Evans OBE made the following announcements:

·         Plymouth has been named as one of the top holiday destinations for 2020 by Conde Nast Traveller magazine;

·         There are currently £300m of city development projects underway, with a further £1bn in the pipeline. This is the culmination of years of work across the Place Directorate and the wider Council and was applauded by the Plymouth Growth Board. Cabinet extended their thanks to all officers involved in making this possible. These developments include:

o   Brunel Plaza - a £100m investment, including a £25m relocation of the current multi-storey car park;

o   The Barcode, the only city centre Leisure Development anywhere in the country in 2019 is opening on the former Bretonside Bus Station site – this will generate £800k in rates every year;

o   The Range – the Global Head Office has been completed at Derriford, creating 400 jobs;

o   A new 110 bed Premier Inn is to open on the former Derry’s site in January 2020, in time for the Mayflower celebrations;

o   £10m investment in Old Town Street and New George Street;

o   Redevelopment of the old BHS site using an innovative freehold deal including a B&M store and two restaurants and;

o   Oceansgate Phase Two – 84 per cent of this is already under offer or let before a brick has been laid. Thanks were extended to the Strategic Director for Place and his team for the significant work on these complex projects.

·         Brexit- looking to establish a lorry park to minimise traffic disruption but it is proving difficult to obtain information or funding.  A Select Committee will take place in Parliament today on the implications for fishing and readiness of locations to deal with fishing post-Brexit. Environmental Health will be at full capacity and this will put pressure on services – the Leader has written to the Government on these issues.

·         The Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth Marjon University, Professor Rob Warner has written to the Leader informing him of Marjon’s recent success in the Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020. Marjon was ranked 1^st in England for teaching quality and was listed in the top 10 for student experience and social inclusion. Congratulations were offered to Professor Warner and to the students and staff of Plymouth Marjon University.

Councillor Kate Taylor, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care made the following announcements:

·         This week Councillor Taylor attended the fourth Annual Excellence in Care Awards - this event organised by Plymouth City Council celebrates care workers in the city both in domiciliary care and in care and nursing homes and all those that support the care system. Thanks were extended to all those working in this sector for providing such excellent service;

·         The Culinary Care Cookbook is due to launch on 07 November 2019 at Plymouth City College. The recipes within are favourites of care home residents and the book has been developed in partnership between Plymouth City Council, Plymouth City College and Plymouth College of Art.

Councillor Laing, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People made the following announcement:

·         This week Councillor Laing attended an award ceremony as part of the annual ‘You Can Do It’ awards – this special event celebrates the achievements of our looked after children. Thanks were extended to the participation team for all their work in organising the event.

Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet Member for Finance made the following announcement:

·         Following the manifesto pledge to improve our shopping centres Mutley Plain now has a new paved area where the public toilet block was previously. A consultation will commence on 14 October on free parking facilities in Ermington Terrace and Napier terrace in order to encourage use of the shops, restaurants and leisure amenities on Mutley Plan. 

Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing and Co-operative Development made the following announcements:

·         Congratulations were extended to Rent Plus for winning the National Housing Federation Housing Award for the most innovative affordable housing solution nationally;

·         Westward House have secured planning permission for the brownfield site in Ham Green – this will provide 5 bungalows for older people, all of which will be wheelchair accessible and will be let at social rent. Building works commence this week;

·         Congratulations were offered to the partnership of businesses in the city working with Plymouth City Council to tackle child poverty. The annual quiz held last week raised a fantastic £17k for child poverty initiatives. Thanks and congratulations were extended to all those involved and to the winning team from Plymouth City Council, who donated their prize to the Lord Mayor’s Charity.

The following announcements were made on behalf of Councillor Jon Taylor, Cabinet Member for Education, Transformation and Skills:

·         A letter has been written to the Secretary of State for Education ahead of his visit to the University Technical College Plymouth tomorrow. This is a requests for a discussion on the challenges relating to school standards and for resources to support the Plymouth Challenge Fund to align us with other parts of the country. Additional funding is also needed to maintain the Plymouth school of creative arts and support the Special Educational Needs and Disability agenda in particular;

·         The recent Ofsted monitoring visit at Torbridge found there had been excellent progress under new leadership; the successful intervention however will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

Councillor Lowry, Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report on completed pledges.

Following the completion of pledge 34 in September, the total number of pledges completed is 54.

On Friday 13 September, key partners signed the Declaration of Intent for Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and this was followed by a public celebration event on the Hoe on 14 September.

Plymouth Sound National Marine Park will aim to showcase to the world the unique and fantastic assets that Britain’s Ocean City has to offer, including an estimated 1,000 different species of marine life, and help boost the economy, attract more visitors and enable funding for research and a range of other benefits

Cabinet noted the completion of pledge 34 bringing total to 54. Cabinet extended thanks to the officers involved and to the Blue Marine Foundation.

Councillor Lowry, Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report on the City Centre BID.

The report set out Plymouth City Council’s rationale and support for the renewal of the Plymouth City Centre Company (CCC) Business Improvement District for 2020-25.

Following a discussion, Cabinet agreed to:

·         Endorse the principles and overall approach of the Plymouth City Centre Company BID and their Business Plan for 2020 to 2025.

·         Approve the City Council’s financial and in kind contributions as set out in this report (totalling £672,500) and to demonstrate its continued commitment to the City Centre Company BID at existing levels through the proposed BID Concordat and Contract for the provision of services within the Plymouth City Centre Business Improvement District area.

·         Authorise the City Council Chief Executive as returning officer to instruct a Ballot Holder to undertake a ballot of appropriate businesses within the City Centre Company Business Improvement District area.

·         Delegate to the Strategic Director for Place authority to vote on behalf of the City Council in the Plymouth City Centre Company Business Improvement District ballot.

·         Delegate to the Strategic Director for Place authority to approve the Plymouth City Centre Company Business Improvement District Contract provided that it accords with the general principles set out in this report.

·         PCC is already committed to funding the City Centre Company, through its Medium Term Financial Strategy, so no new funding commitments are requested.

·         Not exercise their right of veto.

Councillor Lowry, Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report on the City Centre BID.

The report set out Plymouth City Council’s rationale and support for the renewal of the Plymouth City Centre Company (CCC) Business Improvement District for 2020-25.

Following a discussion, Cabinet agreed to:

·         Endorse the principles and overall approach of the Plymouth City Centre Company BID and their Business Plan for 2020 to 2025.

·         Approve the City Council’s financial and in kind contributions as set out in this report (totalling £672,500) and to demonstrate its continued commitment to the City Centre Company BID at existing levels through the proposed BID Concordat and Contract for the provision of services within the Plymouth City Centre Business Improvement District area.

·         Authorise the City Council Chief Executive as returning officer to instruct a Ballot Holder to undertake a ballot of appropriate businesses within the City Centre Company Business Improvement District area.

·         Delegate to the Strategic Director for Place authority to vote on behalf of the City Council in the Plymouth City Centre Company Business Improvement District ballot.

·         Delegate to the Strategic Director for Place authority to approve the Plymouth City Centre Company Business Improvement District Contract provided that it accords with the general principles set out in this report.

·         PCC is already committed to funding the City Centre Company, through its Medium Term Financial Strategy, so no new funding commitments are requested.

·         Not exercise their right of veto.

Councillor Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing and Co-operative Development, introduced the report on the Statement of Community Involvement.

The report is concerned with the City Council’s statutory duty to review its Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) at least once every 5 years. The SCI provides certainty for communities about the basis upon which the Local Planning Authority (LPA) will engage with them in the future.

Following a discussion, Cabinet agreed to:

·         Approve for consultation purposes the Statement of Community Involvement (Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon);

·         Delegate authority to the Service Director for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure for presentational and minor amendments to the SCI for consultation.

Councillor Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing and Co-operative Development, introduced the report on the Statement of Community Involvement.

The report is concerned with the City Council’s statutory duty to review its Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) at least once every 5 years. The SCI provides certainty for communities about the basis upon which the Local Planning Authority (LPA) will engage with them in the future.

Following a discussion, Cabinet agreed to:

·         Approve for consultation purposes the Statement of Community Involvement (Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon);

·         Delegate authority to the Service Director for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure for presentational and minor amendments to the SCI for consultation.

Councillor Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing and Co-operative Development introduced the report on the Plymouth and South West Devon Supplementary Planning Document.

The purpose of the Supplementary Planning Document is to add further detail and guidance to the policies in a local plan and the material considerations when making decisions on planning applications.

Following a discussion, Cabinet agreed to:

·         Approve, for consultation purposes, the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan Supplementary Planning Document and its two companion documents, the Developer Contributions Evidence Base  and the Traditional Farm Buildings: Their adaptation and re-use (Barn Guide);

·         Delegate authority to the Service Director for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure for presentational and minor amendments to the SPD for consultation.

Councillor Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing and Co-operative Development introduced the report on the Plymouth and South West Devon Supplementary Planning Document.

The purpose of the Supplementary Planning Document is to add further detail and guidance to the policies in a local plan and the material considerations when making decisions on planning applications.

Following a discussion, Cabinet agreed to:

·         Approve, for consultation purposes, the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan Supplementary Planning Document and its two companion documents, the Developer Contributions Evidence Base  and the Traditional Farm Buildings: Their adaptation and re-use (Barn Guide);

·         Delegate authority to the Service Director for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure for presentational and minor amendments to the SPD for consultation.

Councillor Penberthy introduced the item on Social Value Policy.

This policy sets out the Social Value considerations which the Council will embed in its decision-making process around how it commissions and tenders its public contracts and how suppliers can demonstrate social value when tendering and subsequently delivering a contract.

Following a discussion, Cabinet agreed to:

·         Approve the Social Value Policy as set out in Appendix A. This will embed Social Value in its decision-making process around how it commissions and tenders its public contracts and how suppliers can demonstrate social value when tendering and subsequently delivering a contract.

Councillor Penberthy introduced the item on Social Value Policy.

This policy sets out the Social Value considerations which the Council will embed in its decision-making process around how it commissions and tenders its public contracts and how suppliers can demonstrate social value when tendering and subsequently delivering a contract.

Following a discussion, Cabinet agreed to:

·         Approve the Social Value Policy as set out in Appendix A. This will embed Social Value in its decision-making process around how it commissions and tenders its public contracts and how suppliers can demonstrate social value when tendering and subsequently delivering a contract.

Councillor Lowry introduced the report on The Box Finance Update.

The report includes provision to include the Elizabethan House and Smeaton’s Tower as part of the wider Box portfolio.

Following a discussion, Cabinet agreed to:

1. Approve the creation of a Company Limited by Guarantee (and wholly owned by the Council) and a Charitable Foundation (partially owned)

2. Endorse the proposed names of the two entities as:

a. Arca (Plymouth) Limited and

b. The Box Foundation

3. Note the development of a detailed Business Case for the creation of the two new entities to protect the historic and economic vitality of the city, including the approval of the leasing of The Box, Elizabethan House and Smeaton’s Tower (the “assets”) from PCC to Arca (Plymouth) Limited;

4. Nominate the Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer) as Member Representative of Arca (Plymouth) Limited and to exercise all voting rights on behalf of the council (subject to Key Decisions being reserved to the Leader/Cabinet) and bring back a future Report to Cabinet setting out the detailed governance arrangement required to protect, safeguard, and effectively manage the council’s interest in Arca (Plymouth) Limited;

5. Authorise the Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer):

a. to nominate officers of the council to act as the Executive Board Directors of Arca (Plymouth) Limited on an interim basis pending development of full governance arrangements

b. to bring back a full report setting out the governance arrangements including the recommendations for appointment of Trustee Directors to the Box Foundation

Councillor Lowry introduced the report on The Box Finance Update.

The report includes provision to include the Elizabethan House and Smeaton’s Tower as part of the wider Box portfolio.

Following a discussion, Cabinet agreed to:

1. Approve the creation of a Company Limited by Guarantee (and wholly owned by the Council) and a Charitable Foundation (partially owned)

2. Endorse the proposed names of the two entities as:

a. Arca (Plymouth) Limited and

b. The Box Foundation

3. Note the development of a detailed Business Case for the creation of the two new entities to protect the historic and economic vitality of the city, including the approval of the leasing of The Box, Elizabethan House and Smeaton’s Tower (the “assets”) from PCC to Arca (Plymouth) Limited;

4. Nominate the Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer) as Member Representative of Arca (Plymouth) Limited and to exercise all voting rights on behalf of the council (subject to Key Decisions being reserved to the Leader/Cabinet) and bring back a future Report to Cabinet setting out the detailed governance arrangement required to protect, safeguard, and effectively manage the council’s interest in Arca (Plymouth) Limited;

5. Authorise the Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer):

a. to nominate officers of the council to act as the Executive Board Directors of Arca (Plymouth) Limited on an interim basis pending development of full governance arrangements

b. to bring back a full report setting out the governance arrangements including the recommendations for appointment of Trustee Directors to the Box Foundation

Councillor Kate Taylor, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care introduced the Public Health Annual Report.

Part 1 of the report provided an update on year 4 of Thrive Plymouth, where the focus was mental wellbeing. Part II of the report highlighted some of the national emerging trends with reducing life expectancy for some sectors of the population, increases in infant mortality and therefore growing inequality

Following a presentation from the Director of Public Health and a discussion, Cabinet agreed to:

·         Note the content (including recommendations) of the DPH annual report;

·         Commit to considering what each partner organisation could contribute to these recommendations.

Councillor Kate Taylor, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care introduced the Public Health Annual Report.

Part 1 of the report provided an update on year 4 of Thrive Plymouth, where the focus was mental wellbeing. Part II of the report highlighted some of the national emerging trends with reducing life expectancy for some sectors of the population, increases in infant mortality and therefore growing inequality

Following a presentation from the Director of Public Health and a discussion, Cabinet agreed to:

·         Note the content (including recommendations) of the DPH annual report;

·         Commit to considering what each partner organisation could contribute to these recommendations.