To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 14 September 2020 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 September 2020 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

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.

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

Council agreed the following appointments notified to the Monitoring Officer –

Councillor Mark Coker (Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure) would replace Councillor George Wheeler as Joint Chair of the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee. Councillor George Wheeler would still remain on the Committee.

(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 announcement:

·       Thanked Judith Harwood for her service to the Council.  Judith, who was the Service Director for Education, Participation and Skills, joined us 2012 and was leaving us following an outstanding contribution to Plymouth;

·       Welcomed Ming Zang who had been appointed as our new Service Director and today was his first day with the Council. Ming has a strong background in education policy, strategy and in supporting schools and learners. He would bring significant experience in managing partnerships with stakeholders and in leading significant change;

·       Expressed his thanks to Andrew Hardingham, the Service Director for Finance as this was his last Council meeting and wish him all the best in his retirement.

The Director of Public Health provided an update on the current situation with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic as follows:

·       with rates increasing over the last few weeks across the country we went into a lockdown on 5th November 2020. Numbers have increased but there was a data lag. 225 per 100,000 is current rate SW average 186 per 100,000. You would expect to see more cases in a place of high population. I 267 per 100,00 national. We are still; seeing an increase in case slow and steady;

·       We have been busy trying to manage small outbreaks and have a team who are there to speak to workplaces, business and schools on advice on keeping people safe;

·       Positive national news on several vaccines which could give good levels of protection. We aren’t going to have this quickly but in terms of getting back to normal in the Spring and Summer, that was something to focus on as hope during the difficult months ahead and to give our population more immunity;

·       Asked the people of Plymouth to please keep social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands to get through this. Please follow guidelines and isolate if you have been in contact with someone with positive test or you have symptoms.

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

·       The intensive work to protect jobs and businesses through the Resurgam Programme in recent weeks. It had been such a devastating blow for our businesses to re-enter lockdown, many of who were just starting to see the first signs of recovery after the first lockdown;

·       Local Restrictions Support Grants Scheme £4m allocation – This scheme would pay a grant to those businesses that had been legally required to close in November;

·       Additional Restrictions Grant £5m – This discretionary scheme would also be administered by the City Council and was for businesses that have suffered hardship but have not been legally required to close;

·       the global coverage secured for Plymouth in September commemorating the 400^Th anniversary of the Mayflower and starting our year long programme.

Councillor Kate Taylor, Cabinet Member for Health made announcement regarding Caring for Plymouth supporting around 800 people in the city contacted and pleased with people also using other sources of support such as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

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 was one question from members of the public:

:

Councillor Mary Aspinall (Chair of the Chief Officer Appointment Panel) introduced the Appointment of the Section 151 Officer (Service Director for Finance) report. This was seconded by Councillor Mark Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance).

Following a discussion, Council agreed –

1. That Brendan Arnold was confirmed as the Council’s Section 151 Officer with effect 6 December 2020 at midnight. The reason for this appointment was to meet our 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. That Andrew Hardingham the outgoing S151 officer was thanked for his contribution to the Council.

For (55)

Councillor Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Ball,  Mrs Beer,  Ian Bowyer,  Mrs Bowyer,  Mrs Bridgeman,  Buchan,  Corvid,  Carson,  Churchill,  Coker,  Cook,  Dann,  Darcy,  Derrick,  Sam Davey,  Deacon,  Downie,  Drean,  Evans OBE,  Haydon,  Goslin,  Hendy,  James,  Jordan,  Johnson,  Kelly,  Laing,  Mike Leaves, Loveridge,  Lowry,  McDonald, Morris,  Murphy,  Neil,  Patrick Nicholson,  Parker-Delaz-Ajete,  Penberthy,  Mrs Pengelly,  Rennie,  Riley,  Singh,  Pete Smith,  Rebecca Smith, Stevens,  Jon Taylor,  Kate Taylor,  Tuffin,  Tuohy,  Vincent,  Ms Watkin,  Wheeler,  Wigens,  Winter (DLM), 

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/ Did Not Vote (2)

Councillor Sam Leaves

Lord Mayor - Councillor Mavin

Councillor Mark Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the Capital & Revenue Monitoring Report 2020/21– Quarter 2. This was seconded by Councillor Tudor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council).

Following a discussion, Council agreed to

1.      Note the current capital and revenue monitoring position;

2.     Approve the Capital Budget 2020-2025 as revised to £621.182m (as shown in appendix 1)

For (55)

Councillor Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Ball,  Mrs Beer,  Ian Bowyer,  Mrs Bowyer,  Mrs Bridgeman,  Buchan,  Corvid,  Carson,  Churchill,  Coker,  Cook,  Dann,  Darcy,  Derrick,  Sam Davey,  Deacon,  Downie,  Drean,  Evans OBE,  Haydon,  Goslin,  Hendy,  James,  Jordan,  Johnson,  Kelly,  Laing,  Mike Leaves, Loveridge,  Lowry,  McDonald, Morris,  Murphy,  Neil,  Patrick Nicholson,  Parker-Delaz-Ajete,  Penberthy,  Mrs Pengelly,  Rennie,  Riley,  Singh,  Pete Smith,  Rebecca Smith, Stevens,  Jon Taylor,  Kate Taylor,  Tuffin,  Tuohy,  Vincent,  Ms Watkin,  Wheeler,  Wigens,  Winter (DLM), 

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/ Did Not Vote (2)

Councillor Sam Leaves

Lord Mayor - Councillor Mavin

Councillor Pete Smith (Deputy Leader) introduced the City Council meeting dates 2021/22 report. This was seconded by Councillor Mary Aspinall.

Following a discussion, Council noted City Council meeting dates 2021/22.

Councillor Derrick introduced the Motion on A New Police Station for Plymouth. This was seconded by Councillor Haydon.

Following a debate the motion was carried.

For (28)

Councillor Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Buchan, Corvid, Coker, Dann, Derrick, Sam Davey, Evans OBE,  Haydon, Goslin, Hendy,  Laing, Lowry,  McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil,  Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, Pete Smith, Jon Taylor, Kate Taylor, Tuffin, Vincent, Wheeler, Winter (DLM). 

Against (16)

Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Deacon, Downie, Drean, James, Jordan, Kelly, Mike Leaves, Loveridge, Patrick Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Singh, Rebecca Smith, Wigens.

Abstain (8)

Councillors Ball, Ian Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Carson, Churchill, Cook, Johnson, Ms Watkin.

Absent/ Did Not Vote (5)

Councillors Darcy, Sam Leaves, Stevens, Tuohy.

Lord Mayor - Councillor Mavin

Councillor Derrick introduced the Motion on Commonwealth Veterans Support. This was seconded by Councillor Pauline Murphy.

Following a debate the motion was carried.

For (56)

Councillor Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Ball,  Mrs Beer,  Ian Bowyer,  Mrs Bowyer,  Mrs Bridgeman,  Buchan,  Corvid,  Carson,  Churchill,  Coker,  Cook,  Dann,  Darcy,  Derrick,  Sam Davey,  Deacon,  Downie,  Drean,  Evans OBE,  Haydon,  Goslin,  Hendy,  James,  Jordan,  Johnson,  Kelly,  Laing,  Mike Leaves, Sam Leaves, Loveridge,  Lowry,  McDonald, Morris,  Murphy,  Neil,  Patrick Nicholson,  Parker-Delaz-Ajete,  Penberthy,  Mrs Pengelly,  Rennie,  Riley,  Singh,  Pete Smith,  Rebecca Smith, Stevens,  Jon Taylor,  Kate Taylor,  Tuffin,  Tuohy,  Vincent,  Ms Watkin,  Wheeler,  Wigens,  Winter (DLM), 

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/ Did Not Vote (1)

Lord Mayor - Councillor Mavin

Councillor Mrs Bridgeman introduced the Motion on Bulky Waste. This was seconded by Councillor Jordan.

Following a debate, the motion was lost.

For (20)

Councillors Ball, Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Carson, Cook, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, James, Jordan, Kelly, Mike Leaves, Loveridge, Patrick Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Rebecca Smith, Ms Watkin, Wigens.

Against (32)

Councillor Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Mrs Bowyer, Buchan, Corvid, Coker, Dann, Derrick, Sam Davey, Evans OBE,  Haydon, Goslin, Hendy,  Laing, Lowry,  McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil,  Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, Singh, Pete Smith, Stevens, Jon Taylor, Kate Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler, Winter (DLM). 

Abstain (3)

Councillors Ian Bowyer, Churchill, Johnson.

Absent/ Did Not Vote (2)

Councillors Sam Leaves.

Lord Mayor - Councillor Mavin

Councillor Nicholson introduced the Motion on Free City Centre Car Parking in December 2020 and January 2021. This was seconded by Councillor Drean.

Following a debate, the motion was lost.

For (20)

Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Carson, Cook, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, James, Johnson, Jordan, Kelly, Mike Leaves, Loveridge, Patrick Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Singh, Rebecca Smith, Wigens.

Against (30)

Councillor Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Buchan, Corvid, Coker, Dann, Derrick, Sam Davey, Evans OBE,  Haydon, Goslin, Hendy,  Laing, Lowry,  McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil,  Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, Pete Smith, Stevens, Jon Taylor, Kate Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler, Winter (DLM). 

Abstain (5)

Councillors Ball, Ian Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Churchill, Ms Watkin.

Absent/ Did Not Vote (2)

Councillors Sam Leaves.

Lord Mayor - Councillor Mavin

Councillor Penberthy introduced the Motion on COVID-19 Test and Trace Support Payments. This was seconded by Councillor Evans OBE.

Following a debate the motion was carried

For (49)

Councillor Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Mrs Beer,  Mrs Bridgeman,  Buchan,  Corvid,  Coker,  Cook,  Dann,  Darcy,  Derrick,  Sam Davey,  Deacon,  Downie,  Drean,  Evans OBE,  Haydon,  Goslin,  Hendy,  James,  Jordan,  Johnson,  Kelly,  Laing,  Mike Leaves, Loveridge,  Lowry,  McDonald, Morris,  Murphy,  Neil,  Patrick Nicholson,  Parker-Delaz-Ajete,  Penberthy,  Mrs Pengelly,  Rennie,  Singh,  Pete Smith,  Rebecca Smith, Stevens,  Jon Taylor,  Kate Taylor,  Tuffin,  Tuohy,  Vincent,  Ms Watkin,  Wheeler,  Wigens,  Winter (DLM), 

Against (0)

Abstain (5)

Councillors Ball, Ian Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Carson, Churchill.

Absent/ Did Not Vote (3)

Councillors Sam Leaves, Riley.

Lord Mayor - Councillor Mavin

Councillor Chris Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Housing and Co-operative Development) gave a brief update on an urgent key decisions taken since the last meeting. The update was seconded by Councillor Kate Taylor (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care).

·       Covid 19 – Test and Trace Discretionary Support Payments

Council noted the urgent key decisions taken by Councillor Chris Penberthy in line with due process and published on 13 October 2020.

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.