To approve and sign the minutes of the Ordinary and Extraordinary meetings held on 20 June 2022 and 30 September 2022 as a correct record.

The Committee agreed the minutes of the Ordinary and Extraordinary meetings held on 20 June 2022 and 30 September 2022 as a correct record.

The following declarations of interest were made by councillors in accordance with the code of conduct in respect of items under consideration at the meeting -

Following a question from Councillor Nicholson it was clarified that –

a)    The Lord Mayors Selection Committee was a committee of Council and therefore fell under the Local Government Act  1972 and had to be proportional;

b)    The change had been made at the AGM on 20 May 2022 to include it in proportionality.

The Council agreed the changes to committee membership following changes in the political proportionality of the Council.

To receive questions from and provide answers to the public in relation to matters which are about something the council is responsible for or something that directly affects people in the city, in accordance with Part B, paragraph 11 of the Constitution.

Questions, of no longer than 50 words, can be submitted to the Democratic Support Unit, Plymouth City Council, Ballard House, West Hoe Road, Plymouth, PL1 3BJ, or email to democraticsupport@plymouth.gov.uk. Any questions must be received at least five complete working days before the meeting.

The following questions were asked by Members of the Public.

(a)        To receive announcements from the Lord Mayor, Chief Executive, Service Director for Finance or Head of Legal Services;

(b)        To receive announcements from the Leader, Cabinet Members or Committee Chairs.

With great sadness, The Lord Mayor informed The Council of the passing of Alderman Tom Jones, Alderman David James and former Councillor Tony Kirk.

The Council held a minutes silence as a show of respect.

The Leader gave his announcements and highlighted –

a)    Plymouth was now legally a Freeport and had been awarded its statutory instrument for the final tax sites, making Plymouth the first Freeport up and running;

b)    There was a significant amount of interest from investors for Plymouths Freeport sites with deals to be announced in the future;

c)    The advertisement for the Chair and CEO of Freeport had been announced with hopes to recruit before Christmas 2022;

d)    In October 2022, the Smart Sound Connect Control Centre was opened to further enhance the ocean-focussed 5G network testbed in and around Plymouth Sound and the network had won the 2022 Mobile Industry Award for 5G Innovation of the Year;

e)    Two applications had been submitted to the Regulators Pioneer Fund and Innovate UK with partners across the South West Region which if successful would support marine innovation and create opportunities for businesses to innovate and grow;

f)     The Council has reached out to the British Business Bank to ensure that Plymouth Businesses had maximum awareness and success at securing investment from the £200 million South West Fund which would be launched in 2023;

g)    The Leader was impressed and proud to inform Council that some major, overseas owned companies in Plymouth were continuing to win multi-million pound contracts and creating thousands of high value jobs;

h)    Princess Anne had visited Plymouth to open the National Centre for Coastal Autonomy;

i)     Plymouth had hosted the MDL Green Tech Boat Show for the second year in a row, which celebrated the green alternatives in traditional boating tech with it being profiled in the Event of the Year category in the British Yachting Awards

j)     Destination Plymouth had been doing extensive work to promote the city at various trade shows and new hotels were being built to encourage more tourists and visitors to come to the city;

k)    Plymouth International Medical and Technology Park had launched the latest development to market – Barrack Court, a 40,000sq ft new development of high quality units and offices;

l)     Congratulated Councillor Dan Collins and Councillor Shannon Burden following the news they would be having a baby, and explained that they had both indicated that they would be stepping down as Councillors in May 2023 and thanked them for their contribution to date.

Councillor Jonathan Drean (Cabinet Member for Transport) provided an update and highlighted –

m)  The construction work on the first Transforming Cities Fund Mobility Hub had begun;

n)    Thanked all Members who had contributed to decisions around contents and location for the Connect Plymouth project;

o)    Heavy rainfall had caused a number of issues across Plymouth in recent weeks and a co-ordinated approach was being taken between Plymouth City Council, The Environment Agency and South West Water to look at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Councillor Mark Shayer (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Economy) introduced the Month 6 Financial Monitoring Report. This was seconded by The Leader.

Following a discussion with contributions from Councillors Mark Lowry and Nick Kelly, the Council agreed to –

1)    Note the report.

Councillor Dr John Mahony arrived at 2.55pm.

Councillor Rebecca Smith (Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Homes and Communities) introduced the Climate Emergency Planning Statement. This was seconded by Councillor James Stoneman.

Following a discussion with contributions from Councillors Stevens and Nicholson, the Council agreed to –

1)    Adopt the Plymouth and South West Devon Climate Emergency Planning Statement as an interim policy statement, pending completion of the next review of the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan 5o allow give formal weight to the Plymouth and South West Devon Climate Emergency Planning Statement as a material consideration in decision making on all new planning applications.

For (53)

Councillors Bingley, Burden, Carlyle, Churchill, Collins, Darcy, Deacon, Drean, Finn, Harrison, Hulme, Lugger, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Smith, Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham, Ms Watkin, Poyser, Wheeler, Kelly, Singh, Beer, Briars-Delve, Mrs Aspinall, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dr Cree, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Murphy, Penberthy, Reilly, Rennie, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/Did Not Vote (2)

Councillors Mrs Bridgeman, Loveridge,

Councillor Haydon joined the meeting at 3.04pm.

Councillor Loveridge left the meeting at 3.07pm.

Councillor Mark Shayer (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Economy) introduced the Local Government Pensions Scheme Discretions Policy. This was seconded by Councillor Mark Lowry.

The Council agreed to –

1)    Approve the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Discretions Policy with the recommended discretions, to be applied to current scheme members, employees eligible for scheme membership or previous scheme members.

For (51)

Councillors Bingley, Burden, Carlyle, Churchill, Collins, Darcy, Deacon, Drean, Finn, Harrison, Hulme, Lugger, Loveridge, Dr Mahony, Partridge, Patel, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Smith Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham, Ms Watkin, Poyser, Wheeler, Kelly, Mrs Beer, Mrs Aspinall, Briars-Delve, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Murphy, Penberthy, Reilly, Rennie, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent.

Against (0)

Abstain (2)

Councillor Mrs Beer, Nicholson.

Absent/Did Note Vote (2)

Councillors Mrs Bridgeman, Singh.

Councillor Singh left the meeting at 3.11pm.

Councillor Loveridge re-joined the meeting at 3.15pm.

Councillor Andy Lugger (Chair of Audit and Governance Committee) introduced the Treasury Management Outturn Report 2021/22. This was seconded by Councillor Mark Lowry.

Following a discussion with a contribution from Councillor Wheeler the Council agreed to –

1)    Approve the Treasury Management Annual Report 2021/22 in order to comply with the CIPFA Code of Practice and discharge statutory requirement.

For (54)

Councillors Bingley, Burden, Carlyle, Churchill, Collins, Darcy, Deacon, Drean, Finn, Harrison, Hulme, Lugger, Loveridge, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Smith Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham, Ms Watkin, Poyser, Wheeler, Kelly, Mrs Beer, Mrs Aspinall, Briars-Delve, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Murphy, Penberthy, Reilly, Rennie, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/Did Note Vote (1)

Councillor Mrs Bridgeman.

Councillor Singh re-joined the meeting at 3.19pm.

Councillor Andy Lugger (Chair of Audit and Governance Committee) introduced the Electoral Cycle Public Consultation report. This was seconded by Councillor Mark Shayer.

Following a discussion with a contributions from Councillors Kelly, Stoneman and Singh the Council agreed –

1)    To a public engagement consultation is undertaken using powers under Section 116 of the Local Government Act 2003 between June and August 2023 on the issue of moving from the current electoral cycle of elections to ‘whole council’ elections once every four years;

2)    That the Audit and Governance Committee would oversee and agree the design and implementation of the consultation, in particular who would be consulted/engaged with and how;

3)    That the council confirms that the Boundary Commission Review commences in December 2023 and is conducted across 2024/25 with resulting arrangements implemented in 2026.

For (54)

Councillors Bingley, Burden, Carlyle, Churchill, Collins, Darcy, Deacon, Drean, Finn, Harrison, Hulme, Lugger, Loveridge, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Smith Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham, Ms Watkin, Poyser, Wheeler, Kelly, Mrs Beer, Mrs Aspinall, Briars-Delve, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Murphy, Penberthy, Reilly, Rennie, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/Did Note Vote (1)

Councillor Mrs Bridgeman.

This item is to follow and due to uncertainty in relation to some member’s ability to attend the council meeting due to personal circumstances.

This item was withdrawn.

Councillor James Stoneman (Cabinet Member for Climate Change) introduced the report on Changes to the Constitution. This was seconded by Councillor Pat Patel.

The Council agreed to –

1)    The amendment to the Licensing Committee Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix 1 of the report to delegate the responsibility to approve Animal Licensing Policy;

2)    The amendment to the Appointment of Proper Officers Table as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

For (54)

Councillors Bingley, Burden, Carlyle, Churchill, Collins, Darcy, Deacon, Drean, Finn, Harrison, Hulme, Lugger, Loveridge, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Smith Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham, Ms Watkin, Poyser, Wheeler, Kelly, Mrs Beer, Mrs Aspinall, Briars-Delve, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Murphy, Penberthy, Reilly, Rennie, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/Did Note Vote (1)

Councillors Mrs Bridgeman and Darcy.

Councillor Darcy left the meeting at 3.33pm.

Councillor Mrs Mary Aspinall introduced the motion on notice on Dental Services in Plymouth. This was seconded by Councillor Dr John Mahony.

Following a discussion with contributions from Councillors Laing, Shayer, Kelly and Finn.

The Council agreed –

1)    That a joint letter would be sent from the Chairs of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Health and Wellbeing Board to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Community Health and Care and to the Senior Leadership of NHS England expressing the views set out in the motion on notice.

For (54)

Councillors Bingley, Burden, Carlyle, Churchill, Collins, Darcy, Deacon, Drean, Finn, Harrison, Hulme, Lugger, Loveridge, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Smith, Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham, Ms Watkin, Poyser, Wheeler, Kelly, Mrs Beer, Singh, Mrs Aspinall, Briars-Delve, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Murphy, Penberthy, Reilly, Rennie, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/Did Note Vote (1)

Councillor Mrs Bridgeman.

Councillor Darcy re-joined the meeting at 15.45pm.

Councillor Charlotte Carlyle left the meeting at 4.00pm.

The Lord Mayor proposed a moment of reflection ahead of this motion on notice, as it had been a year since the death of Bobby McLeod.

Councillor Charlotte Holloway introduced the motion on notice for Action to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls in Plymouth. This was seconded by Councillor Zoe Reilly.

Following a discussion with contributions from Councillors Mrs Beer, Tippetts, Smith, Stoneman and Collins the Council agreed to –

1)    The production of a clear action plan on how the Commission’s recommendations will be taken forward, outlining the commitment of resources, who is responsible and the timescales for delivery;

2)    Providing an update on activities undertaken by the Council on this area since the Commission’s report in May 2022 in addition to an update on the agreed actions in the January 2022 motion at Full Council;

3)    Develop and implement a public communications plan to the people of Plymouth on how recommendations will be implemented and explaining in practical terms how women and girls’ lives will be safer as a result, including messaging to men and boys on how they can be an ally in tackling VAWG;

4)    Write to the new Home Secretary to request additional national Government funding to deliver on recommendations;

5)    Request that the Police and Crime Commissioner publishes misogyny in crime statistics across Devon and Cornwall Police, including for Plymouth alongside the regular publication of other hate crime figures.

For (54)

Councillors Bingley, Burden, Churchill, Collins, Darcy, Deacon, Drean, Finn, Harrison, Hulme, Lugger, Loveridge, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Smith, Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham, Ms Watkin, Poyser, Wheeler, Kelly, Mrs Beer, Singh, Mrs Bridgeman, Mrs Aspinall, Briars-Delve, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Murphy, Penberthy, Reilly, Rennie, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/Did Note Vote (1)

Councillor Carlyle.

Councillor Mrs Bridgeman joined the meeting at 4.30pm.

Councillor Tom Briars-Delve introduced the motion on notice on School Uniform. This was seconded by Councillor Sally Cresswell.

Following contributions from Councillor Smith, Bingley, Mrs Beer, Kelly and Singh the Council agreed –

1)     That the Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Children and Young People will write to every school in Plymouth requesting further information on their uniform policy:

·         Recent reviews in light of statutory guidance;

·         Branded items from single suppliers;

·         The average cost of a school uniform and PE kit;

·         Additional support, second-hand options and promotion of local charities;

2)    Responses to the Cabinet Member’s letter will be presented and considered at the next Education and Children's Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee. This will enable the committee to explore other ways that the Council can support families;

3)    The Council’s Cost of Living Support hub and social media channels will signpost families to local charities supplying free school uniforms.

For (54)

Councillors Bingley, Burden, Churchill, Collins, Darcy, Deacon, Drean, Finn, Harrison, Hulme, Lugger, Loveridge, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Smith, Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham, Ms Watkin, Poyser, Wheeler, Kelly, Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Singh, Mrs Aspinall, Briars-Delve, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Murphy, Penberthy, Reilly, Rennie, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/Did Note Vote (1)

Councillor Carlyle.

Councillor Loveridge left the meeting at 5.35pm.

Councillor Rebecca Smith (Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Homes and Communities) proposed the motion on notice on Cost of Living. Councillor Natalie Harrison seconded this motion.

Councillor Jemima Laing moved an amendment to the motion. This was seconded by Councillor Zoe Reilly.

The meeting was adjourned from 5.40pm until 5.50pm.

Following a discussion with contributions from Councillor Smith, Kelly, Penberthy, Harrison the Council agreed to accept the amendment.

For (29)

Councillors Hulme, Poyser, Wheeler, Kelly, Mrs Beer, Singh, Mrs Bridgeman, Briars-Delve, Mrs Aspinall, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Murphy, Penberthy, Reilly, Rennie, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent.

Against (23)

Councillors Bingley, Burden, Churchill, Collins, Darcy, Deacon, Drean, Finn, Harrison, Lugger, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Smith, Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham, Ms Watkin.

Abstain (1)

Councillor Dann.

Absent/Did Not Vote (2)

Councillors Carlyle and Loveridge.

Councillor George Wheeler moved an amendment to the motion. This was seconded by Councillor Ian Poyser.

Following a discussion with contributions from Councillors Evans OBE, Nicholson and Riley the Council agreed to accept the amendment.

For (27)

Councillors Poyser, Wheeler, Kelly, Mrs Beer, Singh, Briars-Delve, Mrs Aspinall, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Murphy, Penberthy, Reilly, Rennie, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent.

Against (24)

Councillors Bingley, Burden, Churchill, Collins, Darcy, Deacon, Drean, Finn, Harrison, Hulme, Lugger, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Smith, Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham, Ms Watkin,

Abstain (2)

Councillor Dann and Mrs Bridgeman.

Absent/Did Not Vote (2)

Councillors Carlyle and Loveridge.

The Council agreed to note –

1)    The significant impact current energy costs, interest rates and other financial pressures are having on citizens in Plymouth; 

2)    The existing partnership work which was already taking place across the city to tackle poverty and support the most vulnerable. Further the Council places on record its gratitude to our voluntary and community sector and social enterprise partners working tirelessly in this field;

3)    The Cost of Living Taskforce which had been set up to ensure a successful track record of collaboration and partnership continues as they work together to deal with the increased pressures of the cost of living on families, individuals and businesses across the city;

This Council therefore: 

4)    Pledged to proactively identify those most in need of support and to ensure they had access to all the Government support they were eligible for and to distribute government funding such as the Household Support Fund as creatively and effectively as possible to reach those most in need; 

5)    Committed to providing leadership and support across the city to ensure that the impact of the cost of living crisis was minimised for all those living in Plymouth. by: 

a.     Declaring a cost-of-living emergency;

b.    Instructing Cllr Rebecca Smith (the Cabinet member responsible) to work with her opposite numbers in the other three groups in Council and members of the Cost of Living Taskforce to develop Terms of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.d

Councillor Ian Poyser introduced the motion on notice on Re-Use Partnership. This was seconded by Councillor George Wheeler.

Following a discussion with contributions from Councillors Briars-Delve, Harrison, Stoneman, Kelly, Mrs Bridgeman and Wakeham the Council agreed to –

1)    Work with partners in the retailer, housing associations, charities, education provides and existing reuse businesses to take a lead on supporting reuse within he city by establishing a ‘Reuse Partnership’ stimulating the green economy, creating skilled jobs and affordable reusable items for householders.

For (51)

Councillors Bingley, Churchill, Darcy, Deacon, Drean, Finn, Harrison, Hulme, Lugger, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Smith, Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham, Ms Watkin, Poyser, Wheeler, Kelly, Mrs Beer, Singh, Mrs Bridgeman, Mrs Aspinall, Briars-Delve, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Murphy, Penberthy, Reilly, Rennie, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/Did Not Vote (4)

Councillors Burden, Carlyle, Collins and Loveridge.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

Councillor Mrs Terri Beer introduced the motion on notice on Absence of Councillors. This was seconded by Councillor Chaz Singh.

Following a discussion with contributions from Councillors Laing, Smith, Evans OBE, Wheeler, Kelly and Nicholson the Council agreed to –

1)    To request Councillor Shannon Burden and Councillor Dan Collins to resign their seats on Plymouth City Council with immediate effect, to allow two local representatives to be elected to represent these important communities on the Council.

For (31)

Councillors Darcy, Hulme, Nicholson, Partridge, Poyser, Kelly, Mrs Beer, Singh, Mrs Bridgeman, Mrs Aspinall, Briars-Delve, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Murphy, Penberthy, Reilly, Rennie, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent.

Against (0)

Abstain (20)

Councillors Bingley, Churchill, Deacon, Drean, Finn, Harrison, Lugger, Dr Mahony, Patel, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Smith, Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham, Ms Watkin, Wheeler, Dann.

Absent/Did Not Vote (4)

Councillors Burden, Carlyle, Collins and Loveridge.

Councillor Tudor Evans OBE introduced the motion on notice on the Elections Act 2022. This was seconded by Councillor Mark Coker.

Following a discussion with contributions from Councillors Finn, Stoneman, Kelly, Singh and Wheeler, The Council agreed to –

1)    Formally register its opposition to the timetable and supported the postponement of the implementation until May 2024.

For (24)

Councillors Poyser, Wheeler, Mrs Aspinall, Briars-Delve, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Murphy, Penberthy, Reilly, Rennie, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin, Tuohy and Vincent.

Against (23)

Councillors Bingley, Churchill, Darcy, Deacon, Drean, Finn, Harrison, Hulme, Lugger, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Smith, Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham, Ms Watkin and Mrs Bridgeman.

Abstain (4)

Councillors Kelly, Mrs Beer, Singh and Dann.

Absent/Did Not Vote (4)

Councillors Burden, Carlyle, Collins and Loveridge.

The Leader introduced the report and following a discussion with a contribution from Councillor Coker, The Council agreed to –

1)    Note the report.

Questions to the Leader, Cabinet Members and Committee Chairs covering aspects for their areas of responsibility or concern by councillors in accordance with Part B, paragraph 12 of the constitution.