Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Jamie Sheldon  Senior Governance Advisor

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Items
No. Item

24.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 157 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 22 June 2020  as a correct record.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 June 2020 were agreed as a true and accurate record subject to the following amendment:

 

Minute 23: Questions by Councillors – question 12 – Councillor Mrs Johnston should be replaced with Councillor Mrs Johnson.

25.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 62 KB

Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this agenda. A flowchart providing guidance on interests is attached to assist councillors.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made by Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

26.

Appointments to Committees, Outside Bodies etc

The Acting Monitoring Officer will report on vacancies on committees, outside bodies etc and of changes notified to Democratic Support for Council to note.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members were advised that there were no changes or new appointments to committees or outside bodies.

 

 

27.

Questions by the Public

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no questions from members of the public.

28.

Announcements

(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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor made the following announcement:

 

·       invited the Council to note the sad passing of Mrs Phyllis Ainsworth on 9th of September 2020 - she was Deputy Lady Mayoress in 1970/71, Lady Mayoress in 1994/95 and President of the Federation of Ex-Services Associations. Councillors were asked to join the Lord Mayor in observing 1 minute’s silence.

 

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 provided an update on the current situation with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic as follows:

 

·        

over the last few weeks there had been an increase in cases of COVID-19 across the country; within Plymouth the rate of cases was currently 16, per 100,000 in comparison to an average of 22 per 100,00 across the rest of England. Plymouth’s figures were below the national average however had increased considerably since the last update to Council;

 

·        

it was recognised nationally that the majority of cases were in a younger population (working age to up to 50 years old) and that this cohort seemed to be less badly affected by the disease itself. The rates of those cases across the country remained relatively low however in some areas where early increases were experienced there were local lockdowns in place;

 

·        

as winter was approaching it was expected that people would spend more time indoors and it was highlighted that COVID-19 could spread more easily in this environment due to less space and ventilation. This time of year also brought about more coughs and colds, many of which would not be COVID- 19, however would need to be treated as such due to the similarity of symptoms experienced;

 

·        

it was recognised that there had been considerable issues linked to pillar 2 testing; some people were experiencing problems  booking onto tests to get to the Seaton Barracks site or to get a home test. It was highlighted that the issue was in laboratory capacity;

 

·        

despite the difficulties experienced by some in trying to get a test, the rate of testing had increased; in the last 7 days 3,300 tests had been carried out in Plymouth whereas over a month in the summer the rate was approximately 2,000. It was reiterated that only the person with COVID-19 symptoms was required to undertake a test other than the entire household;

 

·        

to try to prevent the rise in COVID-19 associated deaths, guidance had been issued by the Government limiting social contact to a group of 6 people; it was highlighted that the more you minimise social contact the more you minimise the potential risk in contracting or spreading COVID-19.

 

The following key areas of questioning were raised by Members:

 

·        

issues surrounding Track and Trace in terms of licensed premises and how businesses could be encouraged to collect this information;

 

·        

how Plymouth University was going  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

29.

Report from the Chief Officer Appointments Panel

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This item was deferred and therefore was not discussed.

30.

Motions on notice

To consider motions from councillors in accordance with Part B, paragraph 14 of the Constitution.

Additional documents:

31.

Flooding pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Drean introduced the Motion on Flooding. This was seconded by Councillor Kelly.

 

An amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Dann and this was seconded by Councillor Coker.

 

The amendment proposed was follows:

 

Plymouth City Council has taken a proactive approach to flood prevention and a lead role in responding to the challenges being faced by Plymouth as a result of the wider climate crisis. Since 2012 PCC have completed 18 separate flood risk projects at a cost of £5M, that has resulted in 343 residential properties being better protected from flooding. In the current and future flood risk programme, between 2020 and 2026, a total of 14 new major flood projects are identified, these are designed to reduce the risk of flooding to a further 998 residential properties in Plymouth at a current estimated total delivery cost of £26M.  These projects will be funded through partnership funding arrangements with the Environment Agency,  South West Water,  developer funded contributions where these can  secured and will  depend on match funding from Plymouth City Council.

 

The Environment Agency has said that £1 billion a year is needed to protect our communities with the need for comprehensive flood prevention plans recognising the climate crisis. The pressure is even higher now on cash strapped councils and our frontline services following years of austerity, its time the government recognised that funding to reverse the severe  cuts that have been imposed on local authorities is key to support future climate emergency planning.

 

In light of recent Flooding across the City, and the forecast that future Climate Change and weather patterns will make this a more regular occurrence, the City Council resolves:

 

To ask Cllr Mark Coker Sue Dann to be even more proactive in taking and to take the lead in protecting our City from further flooding, by continuing to complete  completing preventative and routine work in a timely fashion as well as working with partner agencies to protect and safeguard residents and business from the distress and anxiety caused by such flooding and lobbying the government to take the urgent decisions needed to respond to the climate crisis Ask Cllr Sue Dann to write to the government  to ensure that the funding and planning for flood defence is a priority and to increase funding  to  local authorities and  the Environment Agency  flood defence schemes  to safeguard residents,  businesses and infrastructure.

 

The meeting was briefly adjourned to consider the amendment.

 

Following a debate, the amendment was agreed.

 

For (49)

 

Councillors Allen, Aspinall, Ball, Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Buchan, Corvid, Carson, Churchill, Coker, Dann, Darcy, Davey, Deacon, Downie, Drean, Evans OBE, Haydon, Goslin, Hendy, Mrs Johnson, Kelly, Laing, Mike Leaves, Loveridge, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Nicholson, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, Riley, Singh, P Smith, R Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Ms Watkin, Wheeler and Winter.

 

Against (0)

 

Absent/ Did Not Vote (9)

Councillors Cook, Derrick, Jordan, James, Sam Leaves and Mrs Pengelly, Wigens.

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

32.

Poor quality Grass Cutting and lack of Weed Control throughout Plymouth pdf icon PDF 96 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Mrs Beer introduced the Motion on Poor Quality Grass Cutting and Lack of Weed Control Throughout Plymouth. This was seconded by Councillor Nicholson.

 

An amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Stevens and this was seconded by Councillor Dann.

 

The amendment proposed was follows:

 

Appreciating that this year is an exceptional year due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Council took the decision to reduce grass cutting to all but essential areas until June. The City Council implemented an adapted grass cutting schedule at the end of June and this programme should have seen most areas cut on a four weekly schedule. Added to this, weeds continue to be seen on our streets throughout Plymouth as teams have been reduced because of the COVID -19 pandemic and during lockdown work in the neighbourhoods was restricted. The ongoing issue the service faces is reduced funding as it is now clear that the government’s refusal to fully reimburse Plymouth City Council for the impact of Covid-19 crisis, as they had previously promised to do,   on top of a decade of relentless and sustained cuts, is impacting negatively on the Council’s ability to provide many council services, including street services. 

 

Council resolves:

To urge Cllr Sue Dann to take urgent action most importantly securing additional funding from government to properly cut the City Council’s grass and remove weeds from our streets.

 

To ask the Leader of the Opposition Group to write to the Leader of his party requesting that they restore cuts to the Council budgets and fully reimburse the Council’s COVID-related costs.

 

The meeting was briefly adjourned to consider the amendment.

 

Following a debate, the amendment was carried.

 

For (29)

 

Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Buchan, Corvid, Coker, Dann, Davey, Evans OBE, Haydon, Goslin, Hendy, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, P Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler and Winter.

 

Against (21)

 

Councillors Ball, Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Carson, Churchill, Cook, Darcy, Deacon, Dowie, Drean, Mrs Johnson, Kelly, Mike Leaves, Loveridge, Nicholson, Riley, Singh, R Smith and Ms Watkin.

 

Absent/ Did Not Vote (7)

Councillors Derrick, Jordan, James, Sam Leaves and Mrs Pengelly and Wigens.

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin

 

Following a debate, the motion was carried.

 

For (29)

 

Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Buchan, Corvid, Coker, Dann, Davey, Evans OBE, Haydon, Goslin, Hendy, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, P Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler and Winter.

 

Against (21)

 

Councillors Ball, Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Carson, Churchill, Cook, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, Mrs Johnson, Kelly, Mike Leaves, Loveridge, Nicholson, Riley, Singh, R Smith and Ms Watkin.

 

Absent/ Did Not Vote (7)

Councillors Derrick, Jordan, James, Sam Leaves and Mrs Pengelly and Wigens.

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin

33.

Wheelie Bin Charges pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Mrs Bridgeman introduced the Motion on Wheelie Bin Charges. This was seconded by Councillor Kelly.

 

Following a debate, the motion was lost.

 

For (21)

 

Councillors Ball, Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Carson, Churchill, Cook, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, Mrs Johnson, Kelly, Mike Leaves, Loveridge, Nicholson, Riley, Singh, R Smith and Ms Watkin.

 

Against (29)

 

Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Buchan, Corvid, Coker, Dann, Davey, Evans OBE, Haydon, Goslin, Hendy, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, P Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler and Winter.

 

Absent/ Did Not Vote (7)

 

Councillors Derrick, James, Jordan, Sam Leaves, Mrs Pengelly and Wigens

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin.

 

34.

Covid-19 Funding Crisis pdf icon PDF 111 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Evans OBE introduced the Motion on Covid-19 Funding Crisis. This was seconded by Councillor Lowry.

 

Following a debate the motion was carried.

 

For (28)

 

Councillors Buchan, Corvid, Coker, Dann, Davey, Evans OBE, Haydon, Goslin, Hendy, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, Singh, P Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler and Winter.

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (18)

 

Councillors Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Carson, Churchill, Cook, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, Mrs Johnson, Kelly, Mike Leaves, Loveridge, Nicholson, Riley, R Smith and Ms Watkin.

 

Absent/ Did Not Vote (8)

 

Councillors Mrs Beer, Derrick, James, Jordan, Sam Leaves, Mrs Pengelly and Wigens.

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin

 

(During this motion it was agreed that the meeting of council would be extended by 30 minutes)

 

 

 

 

 

35.

Re-opening of Plymouth Libraries pdf icon PDF 95 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Deacon introduced the Motion on Re-opening of Plymouth Libraries. This was seconded by Councillor Downie.

 

Following a debate, Councillor Lowry’s proposal to move to the vote, as seconded by Councillor Rennie, was carried:

 

For (28)

 

Councillors Mrs Aspinall, Buchan, Corvid, Coker, Dann, Davey, Evans OBE, Haydon, Goslin, Hendy, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, P Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler and Winter.

 

Against (22)

 

Councillors Allen, Ball, Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Carson, Churchill, Cook, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, Mrs Johnson, Kelly, Mike Leaves, Loveridge, Nicholson, Riley, Singh, R Smith and Ms Watkin.

 

Absent/ Did Not Vote (7)

 

Councillors Derrick, James, Jordan, Sam Leaves, Mrs Pengelly and Wigens.

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin

 

The motion regarding the Re-opening of Plymouth Libraries was lost:

 

For (21)

 

Councillors Ball, Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Carson, Churchill, Cook, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, Mrs Johnson, Kelly, Mike Leaves, Loveridge, Nicholson, Riley, Singh, R Smith and Ms Watkin.

 

Against (29)

 

Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Buchan, Corvid, Coker, Dann, Davey, Evans OBE, Haydon, Goslin, Hendy, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, P Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler and Winter.

 

Absent/ Did Not Vote (7)

 

Councillors Derrick, James, Jordan, Sam Leaves, Mrs Pengelly and Wigens.

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin

36.

Conservative Proposals to Remove Residents' Voices from the Planning System pdf icon PDF 105 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Stevens introduced the Motion on Conservative Proposals to Remove Residents’ Voices from the Planning System. This was seconded by Councillor Allen.

 

Following a debate the motion was carried.

 

For (28)

 

Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Buchan, Corvid, Coker, Dann, Davey, Evans OBE, Haydon, Goslin, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, P Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler and Winter.

 

Against (20)

 

Councillors Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Carson, Churchill, Cook, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, Mrs Johnson, Kelly, Mike Leaves, Loveridge, Nicholson, Riley, Singh, R Smith and Ms Watkin.

 

Absent/ Did Not Vote (8)

 

Councillors Derrick, Hendy, James, Jordan, Sam Leaves, Mrs Pengelly and Wigens.

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin

37.

Questions by Councillors

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor invited Members to submit questions to the Leader, Cabinet Members or Chairs in writing in order for a response to be provided after the meeting.

38.

Annual Report on Treasury Management Activities for 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 325 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Mark Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the Annual Report on Treasury Management Activities for 2019/20. This was seconded by Councillor Tudor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council).

 

Following a discussion, Council agreed to approve the Annual Report on Treasury Management Activities for 2019/20.