To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2020  as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2020 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

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

There were no appointments to Committees, Outside Bodies etc.

(a)        To receive announcements from the Lord Mayor, Chief Executive, Assistant 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:

·         Steven Dodds, Olympic Rower is rowing for charity outside of the Council Chamber today in aid of the Lord Mayor’s nominated charities and the Special Olympics Charity;

·         Plymouth Music Zone won the Heart of the Arts 2020 award for Best Arts Initiative in partnership with Plymouth City Council;

The Lord Mayor then requested that Council suspend the usual procedural rules to allow the Director of Public Health to provide an update to the Council on Covid-19. The Deputy Lord Mayor seconded the motion and this was agreed unanimously by Full Council.

The Director of Public Health then provided an update on the current situation with regards the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Chief Executive of the Council, Tracey Lee then provided an update on the delay to the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections, local elections and changes to requirements for Annual General Meetings due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Detailed guidance is due to be issued from government later this week.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Evans OBE made announcements including the following:

·         The challenging situation the country and Plymouth will face due to Covid-19 and the importance of providing health and social care for those most vulnerable;

·         Support for schools and care systems and the business community;

·         Support for City Council staff and ensuring business continuity plans are in place;

·         Thanks were extended to Council staff and all Public Sector Workers;

·         The latest advice and guidance can be found on the City Council website and will be regularly updated.

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 no questions from members of the public.

Councillor Davey, as Chair of the Lord Mayor’s Selection Committee introduced the report on Lord Mayoralty 2020/21.

This was seconded by Councillor Nicholson.

Following a discussion, Council unanimously agreed:

To approve the recommendation of the Lord Mayor’s Selection Committee to appoint Councillor Chris Mavin as Lord Mayor for the 2020/21 municipal year.

Councillor Stevens paid tribute to the outgoing Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor on behalf of the City Council.

The Lord Mayor requested Council suspend the usual procedural rules of debate to allow the Chief Executive to present her report to Council.

This was seconded by Councillor Mrs Beer, Deputy Lord Mayor.

Council unanimously agreed to suspend the procedural rules.

The Chief Executive introduced her report on Organisational Design – Senior Management Arrangements. The report proposes a small number of changes to the Senior Management arrangements in Plymouth City Council. The Chief Executive thanked the Service Director for Finance, Andrew Hardingham for postponing his retirement in light of the current situation, and therefore the timeline specified in the report will be revised in light of this.  

The Leader moved the recommendations as set out in the report, and this was seconded by Councillor Smith, Deputy Leader.

Council unanimously agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.

Council agreed that this item be deferred to the next ordinary meeting of Council.

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.

Council agreed that this item be withdrawn.