To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2025 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting taking place on 24 February 2025 were agreed as an accurate record.

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 -

Councillor Tuohy (Lord Mayor) introduced two procedural motions, seconded by Councillor Murphy (Deputy Lord Mayor):

1.    To suspend Appendix 1. 5.1, rules of debate, of the Constitution, to remove the limit on the length of speeches of the Leader and Leader of the Largest Opposition group in relation to Item nine- Plymouth City Council Government Reorganisation Interim Plan.

2.     To suspend standing orders for the Chief Executive to introduce the report for item 11– Senior Management Structure.  

The motions were agreed.

For (49)

Councillors Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Finn, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Lawson, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, P. Nicholson, S. Nicholson, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Ricketts, Simpson, M. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Ms Watkin and Wood.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/ Did Not Vote (1)

Councillor Tuohy.

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

There were no changes to membership for Committees or outside bodies.

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 two questions from members of the public.

(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.

Councillor Tuohy (Lord Mayor) made the following announcements:

a)    Plymouth City Council had been shortlisted for several prestigious Local Government Chronicle awards in the following categories:

                      I.        Diversity and Inclusion – the Supported Internships project, led by David Haley (Director of Children’s Services), Lisa Linscott (Service Director for Education, Participation and Skills), and Tina Brinkworth (Head of Skills and Post 16);

                    II.        Environmental Services - Plymouth's Habitat Bank, led by Karime Hassan (Interim Strategic Director for Growth) and Philip Robinson (Service Director for Street Services);

                   III.        Housing - The Stirling Veterans' Self Build Project, led by Paul Barnard (Service Director for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure) and Liz Dunster (Housing Delivery Officer);

                   IV.        Innovation - Delivering better outcomes through Skills Launchpad Plymouth, led by Lisa Linscott (Service Director for Education, Participation and Skills) and Emma Hewitt (Skills Lead).

b)    Rosie Grant (Professional Assistant) had been awarded the Advanced Business Apprentice of the Year award at the City College Plymouth Awards, whilst also being awarded the special Governor’s Award.

Councillor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) made the following announcements:

c)    The Box had welcomed its one millionth visitor;

                      I.        During February half-term alone, 11,737 people had visited;

                    II.        78,000 Visitors had been received within the previous year;

                   III.        The first Saturday of each month, coined ‘Super Saturdays’ had seen special events taking places with the following visitor numbers: 01 February, 1,420 for the Poetry of John Lyons. 01 March, 1,141 for the workshops of Osman Yousefzada;

d)    A meeting between the Council, local business leaders and Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, had yielded an opportunity to discuss growth and development options with the City;

e)    Growth and Investment continued within the City including an investment pipeline of close to £6 billion and 8,000 jobs comprised of, amongst others:

                      I.        £25 Million free port seed capital;

                    II.        Levelling up funding of £20 million;

                   III.        £26 million of National lottery funding;

                   IV.        £280 million of capital investment;

                    V.        £32.5 million into a new diagnostics centre at Colin Campbell Court;

                   VI.        Continued investment into Millbay Port facilities;

                 VII.        The National Marine Parks Waterfront regeneration;

                VIII.        Mount Batten Watersports Centre;

                  IX.        Investment into the new Foulston Park facilities;

f)     Three important plans had been adopted by Cabinet including the new 10-Year economic plan;

g)    The UK Reefs exhibition was to take place in the next few weeks with both Councillor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) and Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) pledging to attend and work the “Great Southwest” stand;

h)    The 200^th Anniversary of the National Gallery was happening in 2025, Plymouth was one of only four cities in the UK designated to undertake the celebration.

Councillor Haydon (Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Libraries, Events, Cemeteries and Crematoria) made the following announcements;

i)     The Community Safety team had been shortlisted for two “Resolve UK” awards in recognition of making Plymouth a safer place to live.

j)     The Evening Nighttime Predatory Behaviours Disruption Partnership was also shortlisted for Project of the Year.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

The item was introduced by Councillor Briars-Delve (Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change), seconded by Councillor Lugger (Leader of the Opposition).

Following contributions from Councillors Ricketts, Finn, Wood, P. Nicholson, Evans OBE, M. Smith, Poyser, Krizanac, McCarty, Penberthy, Noble and Penrose, the Council agreed to:

1.    Support and endorse the Plymouth City Council Net Zero Action Plan 2025-2028.

For (45)

Councillors Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Finn, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Lawson, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, S. Nicholson, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Simpson, M. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Ms Watkin and Wood.

Against (0)

Abstain (4)

Councillors Mrs Beer, Loveridge, P. Nicholson, Ricketts.

Absent/ Did Not Vote (1)

Councillor Tuohy.

(Councillor Briars-Delve left the meeting at the conclusion of this item)

The item was introduced by Councillor Haydon (Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Libraries, Events, Cemeteries and Crematoria) and seconded by Councillor Hendy (Chair of Licensing Committee).

The Council agreed:

1.   To adopt the proposed Gambling Act Statement of Principles.

For (48)

Councillors Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Finn, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Lawson, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, P. Nicholson, S. Nicholson, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Ricketts, Simpson, M. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Ms Watkin and Wood.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/ Did Not Vote (2)

Councillor Briars-Delve and Tuohy.

This item was introduced by Councillor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) and seconded by Councillor Lugger (Leader of the Opposition).

Following contributions from Councillors Cresswell, P. Nicholson, Wood, Stephens and Cuddihee, Council agreed to:

1.    Support and endorse the Local Government Re-organisation principles set out in the report;

2.    Endorse the recommendation of Option 1 to Cabinet as the preferred approach to an extension of the boundaries of the city and as the preferred approach for submission to government;

3.    Endorse the submission to Government of the Plymouth Local Government Reorganisation Interim Plan;

4.    Acknowledge that any final changes to the Plymouth Local Government Reorganisation Interim Plan would be made by the Leader/Cabinet;

5.    Support the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to commission expert advice and support as required to optimise the Council’s negotiating position, including co-commissioning or cost sharing with other authorities;

6.    Request the Chief Executive to prepare a further report for Cabinet and the City Council following receipt of the Government’s response to the Plymouth Local Government Reorganisation Interim Plan submitted in March 2025.

For (47)

Councillors Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Finn, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Lawson, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, P. Nicholson, S. Nicholson, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Simpson, M. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Ms Watkin and Wood.

Against (0)

Abstain (1)

Councillor Ricketts.

Absent/Did Not Vote (2)

Councillor Briars-Delve and Tuohy.

(There was a 30 minute break at the conclusion of this item)

The item was introduced by Councillor Dann (Chair of Lord Mayor Selection and Advisory Committee) and seconded by Councillor Lugger (Leader of the Opposition).

Contributions were received from Councillors Penberthy and Evans OBE.

An amendment was proposed from P. Nicholson and seconded by Councillor Mrs Beer.

A contributions to the discussion on the amendment was received from Councillor Dann.

The amendment was not carried.

For (6)

Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Loveridge, P. Nicholson, S. Nicholson and Ricketts.

Against (40)

Councillors Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Finn, Freeman, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Krizanac, Lawson, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Simpson, M. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Ms Watkin and Wood.

Abstain (0)

Did not vote (4)

Councillors Briars-Delve Gilmour, Holloway and Tuohy.

The Council agreed to:

1.    Approve the recommendation from the Lord Mayor Selection and Advisory Committee to appoint Councillor Ms Kathy Watkin as Lord Mayor for 2025/26.

For (41)

Councillors Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Finn, Freeman, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Krizanac, Lawson, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Ricketts, Simpson, M. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Ms Watkin and Wood.

Against (4)

Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Loveridge, P. Nicholson,

Abstain (1)

S. Nicholson.

Absent/Did not vote (4)

Councillors Briars-Delve, Gilmour, Holloway and Tuohy.

Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) introduced the item.

The item was proposed by Councillor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) and seconded by Councillor Dann (Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Sport, Leisure & HR, and OD).

Council agreed to:

1.    Approve the addition of the post of Service Director for Adult Social Care to Plymouth City Council’s senior management structure;

2.    Note the change in role title, from Head of Legal Services to Service Director for Legal (Monitoring Officer);

3.    Note the latest management structure for Plymouth City Council.

For (46)

Councillors Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Finn, Freeman, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Krizanac, Lawson, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, P. Nicholson, S. Nicholson, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Ricketts, Simpson, M. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Ms Watkin and Wood.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/ Did Not Vote (4)

Councillors Briars-Delve, Gilmour, Holloway and Tuohy.

The item was introduced by Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) seconded by Councillor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council).

Council agreed to:

1.    Approve the designation of the Service Director of Finance as the Council’s Section 151 Officer with effect from 1 April 2025.

For (45)

Councillors Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Finn, Freeman, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Krizanac, Lawson, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, P. Nicholson, S. Nicholson, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Ricketts, Simpson, M. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts and Wood.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Did not vote (5)

Councillors Briars-Delve, Gilmour, Holloway, Tuohy and Ms Watkin.

The motion was introduced by Councillor Mrs Beer and seconded by Councillor S. Nicholson.

Contributions were received from Councillors Tippets and Noble.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Aspinall and seconded by Councillor Penberthy to refer the motion to the relevant scrutiny committee. This motion was agreed.

For (44)

Councillors Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Evans OBE, Finn, Freeman, Goslin, Hendy, Krizanac, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, P. Nicholson, S. Nicholson, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Ricketts, Simpson, M. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Ms Watkin and Wood.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Did Not Vote (5)

Councillors Briars-Delve, Gilmour, Haydon, Holloway, Lawson and Tuohy.

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.