To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2025, 28 April 2025 and 16 May 2025 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2025, 20April 2025, 28 April 2025 and 16 May 2025 were agreed as an accurate 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 -

The Assistant Chief Executive will submit a schedule of vacancies on committees, outside bodies etc and of changes notified to us.  

There were no changes to membership for Committees or Outside Bodies.

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 3 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.

There were two questions from 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.

Councillor Ms Watkin (Lord Mayor) made the following announcements:

a)    It was with great sadness that the Council noted the death of former judge William Taylor, who had been an Honorary Recorder of the City of Plymouth since 2004:

I.              Judge Taylor had earned the recognition, which followed immediately behind the role of Lord Mayor in order of civic importance;

II.            The Lord Mayor thanked him for a lifetime of service to the city and conveyed her condolences to his family.

b)    The Finance Department was celebrating two exceptional apprentices that made their mark at a prestigious local government Apprentice of The Year 2025 competition.

I.              Anya Stevens had been named runner up in the national competition whilst Lucy Gregory had reached the final stages, demonstrating the outstanding calibre of talent that was being developed within the Plymouth City Council apprenticeship program.

Councillor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) made the following announcements.

a)    Councillor Evans OBE had the privilege of travelling to Leeds to lead the delegation to the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (REIIF).

I.              He referenced Plymouth’s bold ambition, future, potential and readiness for growth;

II.            Met investors, developers, government officials and partners from across the UK;

III.           Highlighted Plymouth’s strengths, such as marine defence, digital and clean energy;

IV.           Mentioned the importance of networking to build relationships and benefits for the city;

V.            Mentioned the importance of jobs, homes, innovation and opportunity.

b)    Councillor Evans OBE met with Homes England to discuss a plan to deliver up to 10,000 new homes;

c)    A letter from MHCLG was received at the end of May 2025 about the growth area proposals for local government reorganisation (LGR).

I.              Plymouth received constructive feedback from the government in May for the interim plan;

II.            The letter confirmed that flexibility existed around the rule of unitary authorities requiring a population of 500,000 and that they supported the Council’s approach;

III.           The letter confirmed that boundary changes to existing district boundaries were possible if there was strong justification;

IV.           This aligned with the proposal for the Council to be a continuing authority.

d)    The community conversation event, was a public engagement initiative involving a series of events, hosted by Cabinet members and officers.

I.              The sessions provided an opportunity for communities to share what made their area great, as well as, identifying challenges and to discuss future opportunities;

II.            For those unable to attend the events, there was an online survey available on the Council website until 09 July 2025.

e)    Councillor Evans OBE would be announcing engagement sessions for residents living within the current city boundary as he valued their voices from these communities.

I.              The proposal needed to truly reflect locals’ needs and aspirations;

II.            Those updates would be provided to the Councillors and the LGR team.

f)     The Associated British Ports (ABP) at Millbay held a formal opening at the end of May 2025 to showcase the £23 million upgrade to port facilities in Millbay. The investment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the report which Councillor Evans OBE.   

Following a contribution by Councillor Lugger (Leader of the Opposition) Council agreed to note the report.  

Councillor Stephens (Outgoing Scrutiny Management Board Chair) introduced the report which Councillor Murphy seconded. 

Following contributions from Councillor P. Nicholson andCouncillor Evans OBE, council agreed to note the report. 

Councillor Allen (Chair of Audit and Governance Committee) introduced the report and Councillor Raynsford seconded the report. 

Following contributions from Councillor P. Nicholson, Councillor Lowry, Councillor Raynsford, Councillor Allen, Council agreed to: 

1.    Note the Audit and Governance Chair's Update Report 2024-25. 

Councillor Ms Watkin (Lord Mayor) introduced the report which Councillor Tofan (Deputy Lord Mayor) seconded. 

Following contributions from Councillor Penberthy and Councillor Ney, Council agreedto note the following decision taken in line with due process: 

1.    HCDC05 24/25 - Household Support Fund Round 7

To approve the distribution of the latest round of Household Support Fund monies (£4,044,511.26) through the proposed Framework for April 2025 – March 2026.

Councillor Ms Watkin (Lord Mayor) moved a procedural motion to suspend standing orders to allow the Chair of the Armada Way Independent Learning Review, Mr David Williams to introduce the Panel’s report and the Chief Executive to introduce the action plan. The motion to suspend standing orders would allow Mr Williams, Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer to take any questions for item 11. 

This motion was seconded by Councillor Tofan (Deputy Lord Mayor) and Council agreed to pass the motion.  

For: Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lugger, Mrs Loveridge, Lowry, McLay, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, M Smith, Murphy, P Nicholson, S Nicholson, Noble, Reilly, Ricketts, Raynsford, Sproston, Stephens, Stevens, Steel, Taylor, Tuohy, Tippetts, Poyser, Wood, Penberthy and Penrose (48). 

Against: (0) 

Abstain: Councillor Ney (1) 

Absent/did not vote Councillors Mrs Beer, Dann, Haydon, Finn, Tofan, Simpson, R Smith (CON), and Ms Watkin (8) 

Mr David Williams and Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) introduced the report to Council and Questions wereput to the panel from Councillors Lugger, McLay, Holloway, Tuohy and Lowry. 

Councillor Poyser proposed an amendment which was seconded by Councillor McLay (Leader of the Green Party).  

(The meeting was adjourned for 15 minutes to consider the amendment)

Council agreed to the amendment.   

For: Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Briars-Delve, Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lowry, Loveridge, Lugger, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, M Smith, Murphy, Ney, Nicholson P, Nicholson S, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Ricketts, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Wood (49) 

Against: (0) 

Abstain: (0) 

Absent/Did not vote: Councillors Mrs Beer, Dann, Haydon, Finn, Tofan, Simpson, R Smith (CON), and Ms Watkin (8) 

Following contributions from Councillor Mrs Bridgeman, Ricketts, Lowry, P. Nicholson, Stevens, Holloway Council agreed to:  

1. Note the content of the AWILR report including the recommendations for the Council 

2. Note the Council‘s response to the recommendations of the ILR and the proposed Action Plan for the implementation of the recommendations. 

3. Request that the Audit and Governance Committee establish a cross-party sub committee to oversee the implementation of the action plan, to support public confidence in this processreporting back to Full Council on progress as required. 

4. Thank the Panel for the hard work and commitment in undertaking the review and completing?the report. 

For: Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Briars-Delve, Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lowry, Loveridge, Lugger, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, M Smith, Murphy, Ney, Nicholson P, Nicholson S, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Ricketts, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy, Wood. (50) 

Against: (0) 

Abstain:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

To consider motions from councillors in accordance with Part B, paragraph 5 of the Constitution.

Councillor McLay introduced the motion which was seconded by Councillor Poyser. 

Following a contribution from Councillor Penberthy, Council voted on the motion.  

The Motion was not carried.

For: Councillors Mrs Bridgeman, Loveridge, McLay, Ney, P Nicholson, S Nicholson, Poyser, Reilly, Ricketts, Tippetts (10) 

Against: Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Blight, Briars-Delve, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lowry, McCarty, Moore, Morton, M. Smith, Murphy, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Raynsford, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Sproston, Taylor, Tuohy (34) 

Abstain: Councillors Wood, Lugger and Darcy (3) 

Absent/Did not vote:Councillors Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Dann, Finn, Gilmour, McNamara,R Smith, Simpson, Tofan, Ms Watkin (10) 

The motion was not carried. 

Councillor P Nicholson introduced the motion which was seconded by Councillor Ricketts.  

Following contributions from Councillor Stephensand Councillor Penberthy,the Council moved to the vote. 

The motion was not carried. 

For:Councillors Mrs Bridgeman, Loveridge, Ney, P Nicholson, S Nicholson and Ricketts (6) 

Against: Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Briars-Delve, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lowry, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, M. Smith, Murphy, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Sproston, Taylor and Tuohy (36) 

Abstain: Councillors Darcy, Lugger, McLay, Poyser, Reilly, Tippetts and Wood (7) 

Absent/Did not vote:Councillors Mrs Beer, Dann, Finn, Raynsford, Simpson, R Smith, Tofan and Ms Watkin (8) 

The motion was introduced by Councillor Tippetts and seconded by Councillor McLay. 

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Penberthy and seconded by Councillor Penrose.  

(Council adjourned for 15 minutes to consider the amendment)

Following a contribution from Councillors Tippetts the amendment was carried.  

For:Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Briars-Delve, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, M Smith, Murphy, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Raynsford, Sproston, Stephens, Stevens, Steel, Taylor and Tuohy (38) 

Against:Councillors Mrs Bridgeman, Mrs Loveridge, McLay, Ney, P Nicholson, Reilly, Poyser and Tippetts (8)  

Abstain: Councillors Darcy, Ricketts, S Nicholson and Wood (4) 

Absent/Did not vote:Councillors Mrs Beer, Dann, Finn, Ms Watkin, R Smith, Simpson and Tofan (7) 

Council agreed to:  

Request that the CabinetMember for Corporate Estates ensures that the current published list of allcouncil managed gender neutral public toilets in the cityis maintained and kept up to date. 

Request that the Leader of the council writes to the Minister for Women and Equalities: 

a.     Expressing the Council’s concern about the safety of women, trans, non-binary and intersex people accessing public toilets after the supreme court ruling. 

b.    Highlighting that trans, non-binary and intersex people have freely used public toilets that align with their gender for decades without any issue or cause for concern. 

Request thatthe Cabinet Member for Equalities and Diversity:  

a.     Ensures that the Council responds to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s consultation on the changes required to their Code of Practice; 

b.    Actively promotes the EHRC’s consultation to encourage widespread participation; 

c.     As a matter of priority, once the EHRC’s revised guidance is published, review the implications for Council wide services and ensure that appropriate steps are taken to implement appropriate facilitiesin accordance with the guidance. 

For: Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Briars-Delve, Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lowry, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, M. Smith, Murphy, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Sproston, Stephens, Stevens, Steel, Taylor, Tippetts and Tuohy (42) 

Against: (0) 

Abstain: Councillors Darcy, Loveridge, Lugger, Ney, P Nicholson, S Nicholson, Ricketts and Wood (8) 

Absent/Did Not Vote:Councillors Mrs Beer, Dann, Finn, Simpson, R Smith, Tofan and Ms Watkin (7) 

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 4 of the constitution.