To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 02 June 2025 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting that took place on 02 June 2025 were agreed subject to the following amendments to minute 23, Questions by Councillors:

The Monitoring Officer gave all Councillors a general dispensation in relation to item eight, the Independent Remuneration Panel.

The Monitoring Officer will submit a schedule of vacancies on committees, outside bodies etc and of changes notified to us.  

The Council noted the following changes:

·         Councillor P. Nicholson replaced Councillor Loveridge on the Housing and Communities Services Scrutiny Panel.

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.

Councillor Evans OBE proposed and Councillor Hendy seconded to suspend standing orders to extend the period of time for the item to enable all questions to be heard. 

For: (45) Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Beer, Blight, Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lugger, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, Ney, P. Nicholson, S. Nicholson, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Ricketts, Raynsford, Simpson, M. Smith, Sproston, Stephens, Steel, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy, and Wood.

Against: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent/Did note vote: (3) Councillors Goslin, Tofan and Ms Watkin.

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

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

The Lord Mayor presented a series of awards recognising outstanding achievements across the city.

a)    The first award was the Disability Confident Leader Status Level 3, the highest tier of the UK Government’s disability inclusion initiative. The award was presented to the Council for its commitment to recruiting, retaining, and developing disabled people. Shaun Badmin and Claire Scoffield accepted the award on behalf of the Council; 

b)    The Old Town Street and New George Street regeneration project was awarded Infrastructure Project of the Year and Integration and Collaborative Working at the Constructing Excellence South West Awards. The project revitalised the area, creating jobs, supporting small businesses, and enhancing local skills. Martin Ivatt and Catherine Arthurs accepted the award;

c)    Broadland Gardens won Residential Project of the Year (35 homes and under) at the Mitchelmores Property Awards. Judges praised the creative use of modular pod extensions, which allowed homes to adapt to occupants’ changing needs. Joe McCarthy and Tim Thomas accepted the award;

d)    The Park Bereavement Service Project received Client of the Year at the Constructing Excellence South West Awards. The judges commended the client’s passion, attention to detail, and prioritisation of bereaved families’ needs;

e)    The North Prospect Regeneration Project won Best Project and Best in the Region at the RTPI South West Awards for Planning Excellence. The 15-year regeneration initiative was delivered in partnership with Plymouth Community Homes. Carly Francis and Neil Mawson accepted the award;

f)     Theresa Brooks received the Rising Star Award from the Empty Homes Network for her innovative work in tackling long-term empty homes in Plymouth;

g)    The Housing Delivery Team won the Meeting the Challenge Award at the Empty Homes Network for their innovative approach to addressing long-term empty properties. Theresa Brooks accepted the award; 

h)    The Supporting Internships Project won the Diversity and Inclusion Award at the LGC Awards. The Discovery College’s 100% success rate was highlighted as a model of structured, individualised support and strong partnerships. Tina Brinkworth and Jane Hunt accepted the award; 

i)     The Your Future Programme won the Silver Award for SEND and Inclusive Practice at the Pearson National Teaching Awards. The initiative supported young people aged 19–25, and some aged 16–18, with education, health care plans, and additional learning needs through a combination of short breaks, qualifications, and life experiences;

j)     Plymouth’s Habitat Bank won the Environmental Services Award at the LGC Awards. The initiative created a local market for biodiversity units, helping developers meet planning requirements while delivering environmental and community benefits. Chris Avent and Caroline Haynes accepted the award. 

Councillor Tudor Evans OBE made the following announcements:

k)    A series of major announcements affecting Plymouth over the past 12 months. He stated that these announcements reflected completely game-changing levels of investment from national Government, including: 

                     i.         £4.4 billion investment in defence;

                    ii.        7,000 new jobs linked to the dockyard; 

                   iii.         25,000 additional job opportunities projected by 2035; 

                   iv.         Plymouth featured as a case study in the new Industrial Strategy; 

                    v.        The Babcock Defence Dividend  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

Councillor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) introduced the report which was seconded by Councillor Allen.

Following a contribution from Councillor P. Nicholson, Council agreed to:

1.    Approve the revision to the capital budget for 2025-2030 to £351.063 mil as shown in table 2, with reconciliation and detail of the movements in the quarter set out in tables 1 and table 4.

2.    Note the performance against prudential indicators for quarter one of 2025/26, detailed in section 4.

For: (37) Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, Penberthy, Penrose, Raynsford, Simpson, M Smith, Sproston, Stephens, Steel, Stevens, Taylor, Tuohy and Wood.

Against: (0)

Abstain: (9) Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, McLay, Ney, P. Nicholson, S. Nicholson, Poyser, Ricketts and Tippetts.

Absent/did not vote: (2) Councillors Tofan and Ms Watkin.

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

Council agreed to:

1. Accept the recommendations set out in the Independent Remuneration Panel report regarding the amendment to the current Special Responsibility Allowances for Opposition Group Leaders and related matters, as follows:

a. Approve the implementation of a tiered opposition group leaders allowance structure as follows:

· Groups of 2-6 members: Leaders receive 10% of Basic Allowance (£1,370)

· Groups of 7-11 members: Leaders receive 50% of Basic Allowance (£6,850)

· Groups of 12+ members: Leaders receive 75% of Basic Allowance (£10,275)

· Largest group premium: Additional 25% of Basic Allowance (£3,425) for Leaders of the largest opposition group(s), subject to maximum of three groups.

b. Approves the discontinuation of the following SRAs:

· Leader of the Largest Minority Party (£13,700)

· Deputy Leader of the Largest Minority Party (£6,851)

· Leader of Other Minority Parties (£1,000).

c. Agree that the new opposition group leaders’ allowance arrangements were backdated to 01 May 2025.

2. Approve amendments to the (Councillor Allowances Scheme at Appendix Two) to incorporate the new opposition group leaders’ allowance provisions, replacing existing opposition allowance arrangements.

3. Note that the Independent Remuneration Panel would conduct a comprehensive review of Committee Chair and Vice Chair allowances, reporting back to Council in time for the Municipal year 2026/27.

For: (46) Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lugger, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, Ney, P.Nicholson, S. Nicholson, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Ricketts, Simpson, M Smith, Sproston, Stephens, Steel, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy and Wood.

Against: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent/did not vote: (2) Councillors Tofan and Ms Watkin.

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

Councillor Wood introduced the motion which was seconded by Councillor Lugger.

Following contributions from Councillors Tippetts, P. Nicholson, Poyser and Stephens, the Council agreed to request the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport to:

1.    Investigate the means of amending the Pothole Repair Policy, Highway Inspection Manual and Term Maintenance Contract to encourage the council’s Highway Maintenance Contractors, when attending a highway defect, to proactively repair other defects in the vicinity;

2.    Seek evidence to confirm the cost of this approach;

3.    Seek evidence to confirm whether this change of approach will improve the standard of the highway network.

For: (46) Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lugger, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, Ney, P. Nicholson, S. Nicholson, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Ricketts, Simpson, M. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy and Wood.

Against: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent/did not vote: (2) Councillor Tofan and Ms Watkin.

Councillor Mrs Bridgeman introduced the motion which was seconded by Councillor P. Nicholson.

Councillor Dann proposed an amendment which was seconded by Councillor Stevens.

(Council was adjourned for 10 minutes to consider the amendment)

Following contributions from Councillors Morton, Goslin, Lugger, McLay, P. Nicholson, Penberthy and McCarty on the amendment, the Motion was carried. 

For: (39) Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Simpson, M Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy and Wood.

Against: (0)

Abstain: (7) Councillors McLay, Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Ney, P Nicholson, S. Nicholson and Ricketts.

Absent/did not vote: (2) Councillors Tofan and Ms Watkin.

(Council was adjourned until 5pm)

Council agreed to:

1.    That trees in Plymouth that are worthy of protection should be considered for Tree Protection Orders irrespective of land ownership if they meet the criteria for placing a TPO in that they have significant amenity value and are at imminent risk. The Regulations (The Town and Country Planning (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations 2012) state that TPOs should not be served on trees that are under good arboriculture management but states that trees will be served a TPO if the tree is at risk;

2.      To ensure that Plymouth City Council accept applications for TPOs on its own significant amenity value and imminent risk trees on council land from members of the public to be considered under the same principles and eligibility criteria as those applied to trees on private land;

3.      Request the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change to prepare and publish a Tree Management Principles document to ensure the council is open and transparent in how PCC trees will be managed maintained and protected, published within six months;

4.    To guarantee that where and when Plymouth City Council land is being sold or has a change of use, there is a tree assessment, any PCC owned trees that meet the TPO criteria on such land are identified and will have a TPO added before the sale of the site.

For: (45) Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lugger, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, Ney, P. Nicholson, S. Nicholson Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Ricketts, Simpson, M Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy and Wood.

Against: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent/did note vote: (2) Councillors Tofan and Ms Watkin.

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

Councillor Taylor provided an amendment to the motion which was seconded by Councillor M. Smith.

(Council adjourned for 15 minutes to consider the amendment)

Following contributions from Councillors Ricketts, Mrs Beer, P. Nicholson and Steel on the amendment the motion was passed.

For: (37) Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Simpson, M Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts and Tuohy.

Against: (6) Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Ney, P Nicholson, S Nicholson and Ricketts.

Abstain: (2) Lugger and Wood.

Absent/did not vote: (3) Councillors Blight, Tofan and Ms Watkin.

Council agreed that The Leader of Plymouth City Council writes to the Home Secretary The Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP congratulating her on her appointment and: 

1.      Welcoming the Labour Government’s commitment to end the use of asylum hotels by 2029 and the Prime Minister’s wish to do this faster 

2.      Acknowledging that Labour Government policy means that Plymouth will not see asylum seeker housed in our hotels as they never have been 

3.      Noting that hotels are not appropriate places for asylum seekers to live, offering neither dignity nor proper support 

4.      Confirming that Plymouth stands ready to work with Government to ensure asylum seekers are supported into more suitable accommodation. 

For: (37) Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Simpson, M Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy.

Against: (6) Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Ney, P Nicholson, Ricketts, S Nicholson

Abstain: (2) Lugger and Wood.

Absent/did not vote: (2) Councillors Tofan and Ms Watkin.

Councillor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) moved a motion to suspend standing order to allow more time to conclude the business of the Council meeting which was seconded by Councillor Hendy.

This motion was carried. 

For: (45) Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lugger, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, Ney, P. Nicholson, S. Nicholson, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Ricketts, Simpson, M Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy and Wood.

Against: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent/did not vote: (3) Councillors Blight, Tofan and Ms Watkin.

Councillor Holloway introduced the motion which was seconded by Councillor McCarty.

Councillor Tippetts provided an amendment which was seconded by Councillor McLay.

(Council adjourned for 15 minutes to consider the amendment)

The motion was not allowed by the Monitoring Officer and Council returned to the substantive motion.

Following contributions from Councillors Mrs Beer and Creswell, Council agreed to commit to:

1.    Welcome the expansion of childcare and early years provision, recognising its positive impact on Plymouth families. 

2.    Work with schools and providers in the city to fully promote and support take-up of new entitlements, including breakfast clubs and nurseries. 

3.    Map local childcare and nursery capacity to identify where pressure is greatest and ensure future expansion targets those communities. 

4.    Ensure even more families are aware of and can access Family Hub support, building on the existing network and supporting the rollout to more parts of the city. 

5.    Request a report back to Cabinet and the Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Panel in one year on the roll-out of 30 hours childcare in Plymouth, including take-up, impact, and any local capacity challenges, and share these findings with the Education Secretary. 

For: (41) Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, Ney, P Nicholson, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Simpson, M Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy and Wood.

Against: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent/did note vote: (6) Bannerman, McLay, Ms Watkin, Ricketts, S Nicholson and Tofan.

Councillor Penberthy introduced the motion which was seconded by Councillor Sproston.

Following contributions from Councillors Wood, Laing, Cresswell, Lugger, Stevens, Ricketts, Tippetts,

Council agreed to:

1.    Reaffirm its commitment to this stance and our support for the national government guidance on flag flying. 

For: (40) Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lugger, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, P. Nicholson, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Ricketts, Simpson, M Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy and Wood.

Against: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent/did note vote: (8) Councillors Bannerman, Blight, McCarty, McLay, Ms Watkin, Ney, S. Nicholson, Tofan

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.