To approve and sign the minutes of the extraordinary meetings held on 27 March 2023 and 19 May 2023, the ordinary meeting of the 27 March 2023 and the Annual General Meeting of the 19 May 2023 as a correct record.

The Council agreed that the minutes of the extraordinary meetings held on 27 March 2023 and 19 May 2023, the ordinary meeting of the 27 March 2023 and the Annual General Meeting of the 19 May 2023 as a correct record, providing that the word ‘unanimously’ was removed from minute 86, of the Annual General Meeting of Council on 19 May 2023.

Members will be invited to make any declarations of interest in accordance with the code of conduct.

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.  The report supporting this item will be published following the election to be held on 15 June 2023.

Council agreed to approve the proportionality and appointments to committees as set out in this report. 

For (51)

Councillors Allen, Aspinall, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Carlyle, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Gilmour, Goslin, Harrison, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Hulme, Laing, Lowry, Mrs Loveridge, Lugger, Dr Mahony, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Nicholson, Noble, Partridge, Patel, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Reilly, Rennie, Ricketts, Salmon, Smith, Stephens, Stevens, Stoneman, Tippetts, Tofan, Tuffin, Tuohy, Wakeham and Ms Watkin.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/Did Not Vote (1)

Councillor Shayer.

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.

There were 10 questions submitted 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.

The Lord Mayor made the following announcements to Members –

a)    Announced with sadness the passing of Alderman Ted Fry, who was a Councillor for Compton Ward from 1992 to 2018, including as Deputy Lord Mayor in the 1995/96 municipal year, had passed away on 29 May 2023. The Lord Mayor added that he was highly regarded by Councillors and Officers, he would be greatly missed and that, on behalf of the Council, he sent his heartfelt condolences to his family. A minutes silence was then held in his memory;

b)    The Plymouth and South Devon Joint Local Plan had won an awarded for the innovative use of digital technology in the ‘My Place, My Views’ consultation at the Planning Awards 2023;

c)    Platinum Parkway, also known as the Forder Valley Link Road, was named the transformation project of the year in the 2023 Chartered Institute of Highways Transportation South West Regional Awards; Sarah McVeigh accepted the award on behalf of the Strategic Transport Team;

d)    Plymouth City Council had worked with RIO and The National Trust on an innovative Plymouth Apprenticeship Scheme, which received recognition at the National Kickstart Awards for proting diversity and inclusion; Chris Avent accepted the reward on behalf of the Plymouth National Grid Apprenticeship Scheme.

The Leader gave the following announcements:

e)    In relation to the Armada Way project:

                      i.        The Leader had overturned the original decision in May 2023 and the original scheme would not be implemented;

                     ii.        The administration has listened to businesses and stakeholders views and concerns and had installed several temporary benches, pushed back fencing to make access to shops better and had created a pathway through close to Oggy Oggy Pasty Shop;

                    iii.        His Cabinet were working with officers on proposals for a new scheme, that would incorporate previous feedback and would consider the existing trees and biodiversity and would include more seating and larger plays for play and enjoyment;

                    iv.        The Council would work with independent external engagement specialists to ensure the people of Plymouth had the opportunity to express their views;

                     v.        The legal injunctions and nesting birds were making it difficult for the clean up to take place, but tree stumps would be removed within two weeks, which would allow some fencing to be pushed back further;

                    vi.        The claimant had been asked to withdraw their legal action the week before, which they agreed to with conditions, which in the opinion of the Council were above and beyond what the court would request itself and despite the Council’s efforts to be reasonable and flexible, an agreement could not be reached and so the court has been asked directly to consider the application to withdraw the JR and injunction;

f)     A £25m investment had been secured for Colin Campbell Court;

g)    The Leader had signed an executive decision to approve a £19m investment in the next phase of the Derriford District Centre from the Property Regeneration Fund and Devon Contractors would be starting work imminently to provide a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

To consider the Corporate Plan 2023-26 on recommendation of the Cabinet.

Councillor Tudor Evans OBE introduced the report on the Corporate Plan 2023-26, which was seconded by Councillor Jemima Laing.

Council agreed that:

1.    The revised Corporate Plan 2023-26 was adopted as part of the Council’s policy framework. 

For (49)

Councillors Allen, Aspinall, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Carlyle, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Gilmour, Goslin, Harrison, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Hulme, Laing, Lowry, Mrs Loveridge, Lugger, Dr Mahony, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Nicholson, Noble, Partridge, Patel, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Reilly, Rennie, Salmon, Smith, Stephens, Stevens, Stoneman, Tippetts, Tuffin, Tuohy, Wakeham and Ms Watkin.

Against (0)

Abstain (1)

Councillor Ricketts.

Absent/Did Not Vote (2)

Councillors Shayer and Tofan.

To consider the Provisional Capital and Revenue Outturn Report 2022/23 on recommendation of the Cabinet.

Councillor Mark Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report its recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Ian Darcy.

Following contributions from Councillors Lugger and Nicholson, Council agreed to:

1.     Note the Provisional Revenue Outturn position for the year to 31 March 2023;

2.     Note the Provisional Capital Programme Outturn position for that year including the Capital Financing Requirement of £86.653m.

To consider Chief Officer Designations on the recommendation of the Chief Executive.

Council agreed to:

1.    Approve the designation of the Acting Head of Legal Services as the Monitoring Officer in accordance with section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 from the last day of service of the current post holder. This would be until a permanent Head of Legal Services was recruited; 
 
2. Approve the extension of the appointment of David Northey as the Interim Service Director for Finance (S151 Officer) from 30 September 2023 to 31 March 2024. 

For (51)

Councillors Allen, Aspinall, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Carlyle, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Gilmour, Goslin, Harrison, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Hulme, Laing, Lowry, Mrs Loveridge, Lugger, Dr Mahony, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Nicholson, Noble, Partridge, Patel, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Reilly, Rennie, Ricketts, Salmon, Smith, Stephens, Stevens, Stoneman, Tippetts, Tofan, Tuffin, Tuohy, Wakeham and Ms Watkin.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/Did Not Vote (1)

Councillor Shayer.

Councillor Andy Lugger introduced the motion on Armada Way, which was seconded by Councillor Bill Wakeham.

Following a contribution from Councillor Carlyle, Councillor Poyser proposed an amendment to the motion.

The meeting was adjourned for members to consider the amendment from 3.30 pm to 3.45pm.

The amendment was proposed by Councillor Ian Poyser and seconded by Councillor Lauren McLay and read (edits in italics):

This Council considers the current decision to stop the Armada Way project unacceptable to shoppers, local businesses and potential city centre investors.

Council recognises the need to re-commence this essential project expeditiously in order to revive and renew this part of the city centre (such works to include improved service media and a sustainable urban drainage system).

However, this Council also notes that due to bird nesting season restrictions, full works cannot begin. As such, this window of time should be used to refocus the project and address historic concerns with the development.

Ask the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure to:-

1.    Bring forward a plan (whether it be implementation of the current Armada Way Project or a comparable alternative) and set a firm timeframe for implementation of the plan;

2.    Consult with independent experts such as the Woodland Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust and The Plymouth Tree Partnership during the redesign phase;

3.    If required, modify the sustainable urban drainage scheme to retain the existing healthy trees and plant tree species that maximise tree canopy and shading;

4.    Publish on the Council website an assurance that new surface water drainage infrastructure will be installed, as a matter of urgency, to prevent raw sewage going into the sea;

5.    Provide a firm timeframe in respect of point 4 above.

Following a contribution from Councillor Evans OBE, the Council agreed to accept the amendment.

For (38)

Councillors Allen, Aspinall, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Hulme, Laing, Lowry, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Nicholson, Noble, Partridge, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Reilly, Rennie, Ricketts, Stephens, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin and Tuohy.

Against (0)

Abstain (13)

Councillors Carlyle, Darcy, Harrison, Mrs Loveridge, Lugger, Dr Mahony, Patel, Salmon, Smith, Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham, Ms Watkin.

Absent/Did Not Vote (1)

Councillor Shayer.

Following further contributions from Councillors Nicholson, Hulme, Evans OBE, Briars-Delve, Council voted and the motion was not passed.

For (13)

Councillors Carlyle, Darcy, Harrison, Mrs Loveridge, Lugger, Dr Mahony, Patel, Salmon, Smith, Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham, Ms Watkin.

Against (36)

Councillors Allen, Aspinall, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Hulme, Laing, Lowry, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Nicholson, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Reilly, Rennie, Stephens, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin and Tuohy.

Abstain (2)

Councillors Partridge and Ricketts.

Absent/Did Not Vote (1)

Councillor Shayer.

The meeting was adjourned from 4.15 pm to 4.50pm for a break.

Councillor Gilmour did not return to the meeting following the break.

Councillor James Stoneman introduced the motion on Fixing Plymouth’s Roads, which was seconded by Councillor Andy Lugger.

The meeting was adjourned from 4.50 pm to 5.06 pm to consider the amendment.

Councillor Patrick Nicholson proposed an amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Mrs Terri Beer. The amendment was to include an additional resolution that the Growth and Infrastructure Overview and Scrutiny Committee be requested to review the effectiveness of the current procedures for maintaining the City’s roads and pavements and provide a report to the Cabinet and Members of the City Council.

Following contributions from Councillors Smith, Coker and Stoneman, Council agreed to amend the motion.

For (50)

Councillors Allen, Aspinall, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Carlyle, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Goslin, Harrison, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Hulme, Laing, Lowry, Mrs Loveridge, Lugger, Dr Mahony, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Nicholson, Noble, Partridge, Patel, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Reilly, Rennie, Ricketts, Salmon, Smith, Stephens, Stevens, Stoneman, Tippetts, Tofan, Tuffin, Tuohy, Wakeham and Ms Watkin.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/Did Not Vote (2)

Councillors Gilmour and Shayer.

Following further contributions from Councillors Evans OBE, Coker, Poyser, Mahony, Nicholson, Lowry and Stoneman, the motion was not passed.

For (16)

Councillors Carlyle, Darcy, Harrison, Mrs Loveridge, Lugger, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Partridge Patel, Ricketts, Salmon, Smith, Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham and Ms Watkin.

Against (34)

Councillors Allen, Aspinall, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Hulme, Laing, Lowry, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Reilly, Rennie, Stephens, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin and Tuohy.

Abstain (0)

Absent/Did Not Change (2)

Councillors Gilmour and Shayer.

Councillor Hulme left the meeting after this item.

The motion on a Strategic Rail Working Group was introduced by Councillor Ian Poyser and seconded by Councillor Lauren McLay.

Following contributions from Councillors Harrison, Evans OBE, Loveridge, Nicholson, Beer, Darcy and Coker, the motion was not passed.

For (17)

Councillors Mrs Beer, Carlyle, Darcy, Harrison, Mrs Loveridge, Lugger, Dr Mahony, McLay, Nicholson, Patel, Poyser, Salmon, Smith, Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham and Ms Watkin.

Against (29)

Councillors Allen, Aspinall, Blight, Briars-Delve, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lowry, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Reilly, Rennie, Stephens, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin, and Tuohy.

Abstain (3)

Councillors Mrs Bridgeman, Partridge and Ricketts.

Absent/Did Not Vote (3)

Councillors Gilmour, Hulme and Shayer.

Councillor Jemima Laing introduced the motion on BBC Local Radio, which was seconded by Councillor Dylan Tippetts.

Following contributions from Councillors Carlyle, Bridgeman, McLay and Allen, the motion was passed.

Council agreed to:

1.    Ask the leader of Plymouth City Council Cllr Tudor Evans OBE to write to BBC director general Tim Davie to;

a.     Express council’s serious concerns about the impact of the proposals;

b.    Request a pause in the process while the BBC carries out further consultation with listeners.

For (48)

Councillors Allen, Aspinall, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Carlyle, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Goslin, Harrison, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lowry, Mrs Loveridge, Lugger, Dr Mahony, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Nicholson, Noble, Partridge, Patel, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Reilly, Rennie, Ricketts, Salmon, Stephens, Stevens, Stoneman, Tippetts, Tofan, Tuffin, Tuohy, Wakeham and Ms Watkin.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/Did Not Vote (0)

Councillors Gilmour, Hulme, Shayer and Smith.

Councillor Mrs Bridgeman left the meeting after this item.

Councillors Nicholson, Poyser, Smith and Tippetts had left the Chamber and were absent for the discussion and vote.

Councillor Mary Aspinall introduced the motion on Livewell Southwest CIC Health Work Pensions and Pay, which was seconded by Councillor Sally Haydon.

Following a contribution from Councillor Mahony, Council agreed to:

1.    Ask the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care to write to the relevant Treasury Minsters to demand reimbursement to the city for the cost of this deal.

For (41)

Councillors Allen, Aspinall, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Carlyle, Coker, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Goslin, Harrison, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lowry, Mrs Loveridge, Lugger, Dr Mahony, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Noble, Patel, Penrose, Reilly, Rennie, Ricketts, Salmon, Stephens, Stevens, Stoneman, Tofan, Tuffin, Tuohy, Wakeham and Ms Watkin.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/Did Not Vote (11)

Councillors Mrs Bridgeman, Evans OBE, Gilmour, Hulme, Nicholson, Partridge, Penberthy, Poyser, Shayer, Smith and Tippetts.

Councillor Partridge left the meeting after this item.

To note decisions taken under urgency procedures.

Council agreed to 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.