Agenda and minutes

Contact: Jamie Sheldon  Senior Governance Advisor

Media

Items
No. Item

59.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 61 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2020 (EGM) and 16 November 2020 as a correct record.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2020 were agreed as a true and accurate record subject to Cllr Signs amendment of changing Sikhism to Anti - Sikhism.

60.

Declarations of Interest

Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this agenda.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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 –

 

Name

Minute Number

Reason

Interest

Councillor Kelly

 

14a

Local Sea Angler

Private Interest

Councillor Kelly

 

14c

Son in final year at University

Private Interest

Councillor Buchan

14a

PCC representative for inshore fisheries authority

Private Interest

Councillor Buchan

11

PCC perspective on Plymouth Energy Community Trust

Private Interest

Councillor Bridgeman

14c

Board member at PCH

Private Interest

Councillor Carson

14c

Son is at University

Private Interest

Councillor Goslin

14c

Employee at University of Plymouth

Disclosable Pecuniary

Councillor Jordan

14c

Daughter at University and lives at home in Plymouth

Private Interest

Councillor Wigens

14c

Business at a property landlord to students

Disclosable Pecuniary

Councillor Mrs Johnson

14c

Landlord occasionally to students although not present. Daughter is currently applying for university

Private Interest

Councillor Beer

14c

 

Private Interest

Councillor Darcy

14c

Daughter is student

Private Interest

Councillor Penberthy

11

On several boards within the Plymouth Community Energy Trist cooperatives

Private Interest

Councillor Singh

14c

Son at university and currently  living at home

Private Interest

 

61.

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.

62.

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

·       The country went into a national lockdown on 5th January 2021. At that time Plymouth’s rates were 200 per 100,000 and rates across England were 560 per 1000,000.

·       Since then, as expected, the number of cases continued to rise but there have been signs in recent days that the number of cases are falling.

·       Today’s figures for Plymouth are 269 per 100,000, the South West is similar and the national rates are 400 per 100,000.

·       These rates are extremely high for Plymouth and there are very few people in Plymouth who have not been touched by this. There are around 100 patients in Derriford which is having a knock on effect for people in Plymouth and additional pressures on staff at hospital.

·       Figures have not fallen as quickly as anyone would like but the new strain is more easily transmissible and the data suggests this new strain has come to Plymouth.

·       Control measures are the same for the new strain: Hands, Face, Space. Follow guidance to stay at home, unless you HAVE to leave.

·       CCG say the vaccine roll out is going well and the majority of Over 80s will be vaccinated by the end of the week.

·       New vaccination centre opening this week at the Mayflower centre, Home Park. However, there are challenges in keeping people safe giving and receiving vaccines. People are not protected straight away when they get their first injection, they must continue to follow guidance.

 

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

·       In the latest lockdown grants available for businesses teams have helped to get £10million out in 3 days, over half the full amount. Focus will now be on the discretionary pot now and targeting those falling through the cracks.

·       The Council have written to the Chancellor of Exchequer supported by local businesses, asking for more 2021 and looking forward to 2022. The pandemic is hard to predict but this is why long term assurances are needed.

·       Resurgam is making good progress, including the new Lighthouse Lab which has created 400 jobs.

 

Councillor Peter Smith, Deputy Leader:

·       Estimated that Plymouth has lost 169.5m in visitor spend in 9 months interest in Mayflower 400.

·       Mayflower 400 sports programme has engaged with residents throughout 2020, including primary schools.

·       Parks, play parks and nature reserves still open. MUGAs and tennis courts as well as sports centres have had to close.

·       Libraries are offering select and collect and essential PC use and printing and promote online and digital services.

 

Councillor Kate Taylor, Cabinet Member for Health made announcement regarding

·       Another care hotel has opened in conjunction with Livewell Southwest with another opening later this week. Aiming to ease pressure on hospitals and helping residents who are not yet ready to go home still get care.

·       More staff than residents are affected with COVID19 in care homes. 20 homes with an outbreak  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

63.

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 was one question from members of the public:

 

The following question was submitted by Greg Roger Black and answered by Councillor Mark Coker:

 

Question:

Parking on the pavement is an issue all over the city, some streets being too narrow and some households having more than one car. This blocks wheelchairs from using the pavement and residents with prams have to walk in the road. How does the Leader intend to tackle this issue?

Answer:

Plymouth City Council acknowledges that pavement parking can be inconsiderate and sometimes dangerous for pedestrians, especially persons with wheel chairs, mobility impairments, prams and push chairs. We have actively supported calls to review this area, supporting the work from the national Living Streets and Guide Dogs Association seeking change.

Additionally, vehicles damage pavements with many simply not designed to accommodate vehicles. This places greater maintenance demands upon Councils in already financially challenging times.

Pavement parking, outside of London (where London are afforded greater powers to manage this issue), has previously been discussed at Parliament, with Councils seeking changes to legislation, changes to provide more effective powers to tackle this issue and be more consistent with the legislation that applies in London.

Most recently the Department for Transport held a nationwide consultation on proposals to change such legislation; the consultation closed in November 2020. Plymouth City Council expressed our support for proposals for change and for Councils to be granted more effective powers to tackle this issue.

The Department for Transport are currently progressing the Pavement Parking Bill 2020, through the House of Lords, which proposes that the act of parking on a pavement be an offense under The Road Traffic Act 1988. Like many other Authorities, and those people impacted by inconsiderate and dangerous pavement parking, we await with eagerness of any positive developments from the Department for Transport.

In the meantime, whilst legislative changes are debated, Plymouth City Council remains committed to supporting where the law permits us to do so. This includes liaising with our police colleagues, where obstruction remains a criminal offence, required to be enforced by the Police.

We recognise that our ability to tackle this behaviour, to drive behaviour change, is very much linked to a positive outcome of this review, with Councils provided more effective powers to take this national issue.

 

 

64.

Council Tax Base Setting and Council Tax Support Scheme 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 476 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced Council Tax Base Setting and Council Tax Support Scheme 2021/22. This was seconded by Cllr Chris Penberthy.

 

Following a discussion the Council agreed:

1. the Council Tax Base for 2021/22 of 73,115 equivalent Band D dwellings as set out in the report.;

2. the continuation of the current Council Tax Support Scheme for 2021/22 with the following

updates:

 

·       To allow the Council to increase the levels of incomes within each Band to allow for any changes made by Government to other benefits;

·       To allow the Council to suspend the use of the Minimum Income Floor for the Self Employed in exceptional circumstances;

·       To align the current non-dependant deductions with the lowest non- dependant deductions in the pension age scheme;

·       To amend the scheme to allow for Shared Parental Leave, Parental Bereavement Leave and the Grenfell Tower Residents’ Discretionary Fund.

 

For (56)

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

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (0)

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (1)

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin.

 

65.

Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry 2021/22 Revenue Estimates and Capital Programme pdf icon PDF 357 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure introduced the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry 2021/22 Revenue Estimates and Capital Programme report. This was seconded by Councillor Pam Buchan.

 

Following a discussion the Council agreed to:

1.      Approve the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry 2021/22 Revenue Estimates and Capital Programme

2.      Request that the Joint Chairs of TBTFJC continue to press the Government to deliver on its offer for Highways England to maintain the road on the Tamar Bridge.

 

For (55)

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

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (0)

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (2)

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin

Councillor Nicholson (unable to vote due to IT issues)

66.

Pay Policy Statement 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 160 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Peter Smith (Deputy Leader) provided introduced the Pay Policy Statement 2021/22 report. Councillor Parker-Delaz-Ajete seconded this.

 

Following a discussion the Council agreed the Pay Policy Statement 2021/22 in line with statutory requirements.

 

For (56)

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

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (0)

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (1)

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin

 

67.

Plymouth Plan Climate Change Review pdf icon PDF 159 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure introduced the Plymouth Plan Climate Change Review. This was seconded by Councillor Stevens.

 

Following a discussion the Council agreed:

1.     the changes to the Plymouth Plan as identified in the report be and the updated Plymouth Plan was formally adopted as part of the City Council’s Policy Framework

 

For (56)

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

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (0)

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (1)

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin

 

68.

Climate Emergency Action Plan 2021 pdf icon PDF 161 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Dann, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene introduced the Climate Emergency Action Plan 2021. This was seconded by Councillor Buchan.

 

Following a discussion the Council agreed to support and endorse the Climate Emergency Action Plan 2021

 

For (56)

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

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (0)

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (1)

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin

 

69.

Corporate Carbon Reduction Plan 2021 pdf icon PDF 158 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Dann, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene introduced the Corporate Carbon Reduction Plan 2021. Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) seconded this.

 

Following a discussion the Council agreed to support and endorse the Corporate Carbon Reduction Action Plan 2021.

 

 

For (56)

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

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (0)

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (1)

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin

 

70.

Calendar of Meeting 2021/22

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Peter Smith, Deputy Leader, introduced the item. Councillor Mary Aspinall seconded this report. 

 

Following a discussion the Council agreed:

1.      the following dates for meetings to be held in 2021 and 2022;

2.      to authorise the Assistant Chief Executive to publish a revised calendar of meetings in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition should the date of the local election in 2021 be changed.

For (56)

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

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (0)

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (1)

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin

 

71.

Motions on notice

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

Additional documents:

72.

Marine Environment & Fishing pdf icon PDF 95 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Glenn Jordan introduced the Motion on Marine Environment & Fishing. This was seconded by Councillor Nick Kelly.

An amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Evans OBE and this was seconded by Councillor Buchan.

The amendment proposed was follows:

Fishing and the Marine Environment are vitally important to the City of Plymouth and its economy.

To specifically support our local fishing community and to protect our internationally important marine environment we call on the Leader of Plymouth City Council:

To write on behalf of the Council, congratulating the Prime Minister on bringing the UK in line with the EU ban on pulse fishing introduced in 2018, supporting the regulation of vessel types to protect our marine environment and sustainable fisheries, and to ask for the following:

1. With respect to the £23m compensation fund designed to help those negatively impacted by new UK red tape and UK systems designed to comply with our new third country status, to ensure that Plymouth and the South West fishing boats, exporters and supply chain who have been greatly affected are prioritised.

2. With respect to the £100m fund announced for infrastructure and fishing vessel renewal, to ensure that in particular Plymouth and the South West vessels and English fishing supply chain businesses and harbours who have done particularly and disproportionately  badly out of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement will see increased support, to remain competitive and in business.

3. The urgent publication of the Government's consultation responses on

 i) Quota allocations and management in 2021 and beyond: England and the Crown dependencies

 ii) Fisheries: strengthening the economic link licence condition in England

Iii) Fisheries: apportioning additional quota between the UK administrations: UK and the Crown dependencies.

 

On banning Electric Pulse Fishing and to support the Banning of Super Trawlers from UK waters.

 

After a debate the amendment was approved:

 

For (30)

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

 

Against (19)

Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Carson, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, James, Jordan, Kelly, Michael Leaves, Samantha Leaves, Loveridge, Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Singh, R Smith and Wigens

 

Abstain (7)

Councillors Ball, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Churchill, Cook, Mrs Johnson and Ms Watkin,

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (1)

Lord Mayor – Councillor Chris Mavin

 

Following a debate the substantive motion was carried.

 

For (34)

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

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (22)

Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Carson, Cook, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, James, Mrs Johnson, Jordan, Kelly, Michael Leaves, Samantha Leaves, Loveridge, Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Singh, R Smith, Mrs Watkin and Wigens

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (1)

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin

 

73.

Tampon Tax pdf icon PDF 96 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Terri Beer introduced the Motion on Tampon Tax. This was seconded by Councillor Dave Downie.

 

An amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Penberthy and this was seconded by Councillor Laing.

 

The amendment proposed was follows:

 

Council joins with the Chancellor in congratulating Paula Sherriff, the former Labour MP for Dewsbury, in her campaign to abolish the Tampon Tax. Further the Council welcomes the change in government policy which now means that VAT on women’s sanitary products has been removed from 1st January 2021.

 

Council welcomes the work that Red Box and Trevi House have done in Plymouth over a number of years to raise concerns about the Tampon Tax and in the practical steps they have taken to mitigate its impact on local women. It further welcomes the leadership taken by the Council’s current Labour administration over the past two years in raising these issues and thanks Lindsey Hall for the support she is giving in working with schools to raise awareness of period poverty.

 

Council recognises that there is more to do to tackle period poverty and therefore instructs we call upon the Leader and Deputy Leader of Plymouth City Council to write to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak to congratulate him on delivering an election promise backing Paula Sherriff’s calls by to abolishing VAT on Woman’s women’s sanitary products from 1st January 2021 and to ask the Chancellor to:

·       make it clear that that it is the government’s intention manufacturers and retailers should honour match this commitment to by providing a price reduction for the public

·       maintain the current ring-fenced funding for projects that help disadvantaged and vulnerable women across the UK.

 

This will now mean that young girls and woman facing period poverty will no longer have to pay extra tax on these products that will go some way to end period poverty in the UK.

 

After a debate the amendment was approved:

 

For (38)

Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Ball, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Buchan, Corvid, Carson, Churchill, Coker, Cook, Dann, Derrick, Davey, Evans OBE, Haydon, Goslin, Hendy, Mrs Johnson, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Parker Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, P Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Ms Watkin, Wheeler, Winter (DLM).

 

Against (17)

Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, James, Jordan, Kelly, Mike Leaves, Sam Leaves, Loveridge, Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Singh and R Smith.

 

Abstain (0)

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (2)

Lord Mayor- Councillor Mavin and Wigens

 

Following a debate the motion was carried.

 

For (38)

Councillor Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Ball, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Buchan, Corvid, Carson, Churchill, Coker, Cook, Dann, Derrick, Davey, Evans OBE, Haydon, Goslin, Hendy, Mrs Johnson, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Parker Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, P Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Ms Watkin, Wheeler, Winter (DLM).

 

Against (0)

 

Abstain (17)

Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, James, Jordan, Kelly, Mike Leaves, Sam Leaves, Loveridge, Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Singh and R Smith.

 

Absent/Did Not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

74.

Supporting Student Renters and Student Landlords pdf icon PDF 110 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Margaret Corvid proposed the Motion on Supporting Student Renters and Student Landlords as amended. This was seconded by Councillor Sarah Allen.

 

Plymouth City Council notes that many students had arranged accommodation with Plymouth student landlords to attend university, but are unable to live in this accommodation due to most courses having switched to online learning and due to travel restrictions barring travel to Plymouth.

The council further notes that these restrictions, as part of a national lockdown, are necessary to slow the spread of coronavirus and protect the capacity of the NHS.

Noting that students, like many other people, have suffered profound economic consequences due to the necessity of these public restrictions, the Council will ask the Cabinet member for Education, Skills and Transformation to write to the UK Government, asking relevant departments to work with student landlords, both university-owned and private, to:

·       reduce student rent by forty percent for the rest of the academic year,

·       enable students who cannot occupy their accommodation to exit their contracts without penalty,

·       reimburse students who have paid in advance and cannot occupy their occupation,

·       reimburse lost income for student landlords whose tenants cannot occupy their accommodation

·       consider allowing students who cannot work due to lockdown to claim Universal Credit

·       respond to the Higher Education sector’s request for government financial support for enhanced student hardship funds allowing students to receive direct financial support across the full range of financial hardships caused by the pandemic

The council notes with gratitude that Marjon University has waived rent for students that have been unable to travel to the university due to lockdown, heartily thanks Marjon for this action, and supports hopes that the University of Plymouth in addressing the same issue through its enhanced student hardship fund follows suit.

The council also asks the Cabinet member for Education, Skills and Transformation to write to universities throughout the UK which host students from Plymouth, calling on them to adopt similar measures to support those, and all, students.


Following a debate the motion was agreed.

 

For (45)

Councillors Allen, Aspinall, 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 (1)

Councillor Ball

 

Abstain (4)

Councillor Bowyer, Carson, Mrs Johnson and Ms Wakin

 

Absent/ Did Not Vote (7)

Councillors Mrs Bowyer, Cook, Churchill, Goslin, Tuffin, Wigens and Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin

 

 

75.

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:

 

From

To

Subject

1

Councillor Patrick Nicholson

Councillor Sally Haydon

With regard to the email sent out last week to all members relating to the vaccinations and the concerns regarding the use of facilities across Plymouth, could an indication be given regarding what City Council facilities had been offered and whether health and wellbeing centres were amongst these, in order to assist the NHS in its vital work in carrying out vaccinations in Plymouth.

Response: The vaccination programme was being administered by the NHS and not Plymouth City Council, so no details were available. With regard to the location of the vaccination sites this question was better directed at Councillor Kate Taylor (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care). The aim of the email to all Members was to be helpful, in view of the large number of queries being received from members of the public on vaccinations.

Supplementary: Councillor Kate Taylor (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care) was aware of the concerns and this issue would be pursued further with her.

 

 

From

To

Subject

2

Councillor Nick

Kelly

Councillor Chris Penberthy

Councillor Nick Kelly had been approached and had read the recent article in the newspaper relating to the Council match funding to a maximum of £20k the Lord High Admiral pub project. Crowd funding was a very powerful initiative that brought the community together and it was an essential way of providing funding.  People had been astonished at the large sum given to a single company.  Could the Cabinet Member clarify the criteria and review it, in light of the public outcry to the recent funding?

Response: The City Change Fund and its partnership with Crowd Fund UK had been hugely successful and had won both national and international awards since its launch in 2015. To date, it had distributed £1.5m over 100 community projects.  This was funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy and other external sources and was not funded by the tax payer. This was a levy that developers paid to help support development in the city.

 

The Lord High Admiral pub was a specific project which had been in response to the Covid pandemic.  It met the terms and conditions and the seven assessment criteria as set out on the Council’s website, as well as Crowd Fund UK’s website. The project had demonstrated how it supported the local community in a deprived area of the city which had experience a large amount of development.  The hub was used by other businesses, worked closely with the arts community and was also heavily involved community organisations.

 

A review of the criteria had taken place last year when a climate emergency bonus was introduced.  This included updating the criteria to reflect issues arising from the Covid pandemic which had been already impacting the city.  It was not the right time to change the criteria for existing or potential applicants as this could impact the work that had already started.

 

Anyone could apply to the scheme  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.