Agenda and minutes

Extraordinary General Meeting, City Council - Friday 30 September 2022 1.00 pm

Venue: Council House, Plymouth

Contact: Ross Jago Head of Governance, Performance and Risk

Items

No.

Item

10.

Declarations of Interest

View the background to item 10.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

11.

Appointment of Interim Section 151 Officer (Head of Finance) PDF 164 KB

Minutes:

The Appointment of David Northey (Head of Integrated Finance) as the Interim Section 151 Officer (Service Director for Finance) was proposed by The Leader and after contributions from Councillor Tudor Evans OBE (Shadow Leader) and Councillor Mark Shayer (Cabinet Member for Finance and Economy), the Council agreed to –

1. Confirm David Northey as the Council’s Section 151 Officer with effect 3 October 2022 at midnight. The reason for this appointment is to meet statutory obligation under Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972. The Local Government and Housing Act 1989 also requires that the post holder is a member of one of the CCAB accountancy bodies;

2. Thank Brendan Arnold, the outgoing Section 151 officer, for his contribution to the Council.

12.

Questions by Councillors

View the background to item 12.

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.

Minutes:

	From	To	Subject
1	Councillor Sally Cresswell	Councillor Charlotte Carlyle	Concern over the loss of 3 senior members of staff in Education and Children and Young People’s Services, all of which are due to leave this term, and the speed at which the posts will be filled.
	Response: No concern at present as the department is in the incredibly capable hands of Sharon Muldoon, and news of their replacements will be made in the coming months. Supplementary: With people being less likely to move for jobs, especially in the current economic climate, is there not concern about finding suitable replacements? Are there any packages that will be put together to try and overcome this issue? Response: The department is in good hands with Sharon Muldoon’s leadership, and she is well connected. Packages are being looked into, but Plymouth, and the South-West, holds its own in terms of offer.
2	Councillor Mark Coker	Councillor Jonathan Drean	With the onset of Winter, and delays in Highways replacing broken and damaged street lighting, what plans are in place to make sure works take place on schedule? Are there any plans to cut street lighting?
	Response: There are no plans to cut street lighting. Alternative measures are being looked at. Councillor Drean also advised that a report is imminent, which he would be willing to share. Sup: Why have some residents being waiting 4 months for a street light to be replaced? Response: Councillor Drean advised that there have been contractual failures, which are being looked into, as well as delays in getting parts from manufacturers. There are approximately 30 in the city out of 30,000 awaiting work, but he was happy to look into a specific location.
3	Councillor Eddie Rennie	The Leader	There have been several occasions over the summer where travellers have set up unauthorised encampments across the city, including in the Sutton and Mount Gould Ward. Can the Leader reassure that the Council and its partners are doing everything to ensure sites are managed?
	Response: The Council has been clear that it must move swiftly to remove illegal encampments when ASB and environmental damage can be evidenced. Councillor Bingley explained they would be happy to look into specific examples with more detail. Supplementary: An issue with securing sites would be financial implications. Would funding be available to secure sites? Response: The Leader explained that some activity in this area may need to be paused due to the current financial position of the Council, but specific situations can be looked into.
4	Councillor Tudor Evans OBE	The Leader	How many Council meetings did The Leader attend in 5 week absence from the city over the summer? Sup: How many meetings have had to be cancelled and meetings with potential invested?
	Response: The Leader informed Councillor Evans OBE that he had not been absent from the city for 5 weeks. Supplementary: Councillor Evans OBE then asked how many meetings had to be cancelled in the 5 week period because The Leader could ... view the full minutes text for item 12.