To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2025 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting that took place on 15 September 2025 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

For (49)
Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars?Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Darcy, Dingle, Finn, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Loveridge, Lugger, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Ney, Noble, S. Nicholson, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Ricketts, Simpson, M. Smith, R. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy, and Wood.

Against (0)

Abstain (2)
Councillors Lowry and Cuddihee.

Absent/did not vote (3)
Councillors Dann, Tofan and Ms Watkin.

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 Monitoring Officer will submit a schedule of vacancies on committees, outside bodies etc and of changes notified to us.  

There were no changes to committees, outside bodies or proportionality.

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 3 of the Constitution.

Questions, of no longer than 50 words, can be submitted to Democratic Services, Plymouth City Council, Ballard House, West Hoe Road, Plymouth, PL1 3BJ, or email to democraticservices@plymouth.gov.uk. Any questions must be received at least five complete working days before the meeting.

(a)        To receive announcements from the Lord Mayor, Chief Executive, Service Director for Finance or Service Director for Legal;

(b)        To receive announcements from the Leader, Cabinet Members or Committee Chairs.

The Lord Mayor made the following announcements:

a)    The first award was presented to Jane Elliott?Tonic, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Safeguarding Adults Sports Excellence Awards, in recognition of over 40 years of service;

b)    The second award recognised Plymouth GATI (Graduated Approach to Inclusion), which was runner?up in the National SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Resource of the Year category at the NASEN (National Association for Special Educational Needs) Awards. The award recognised the collaborative approach between schools, young people and partners in developing a graduated response and resource directory. The award was received by Tina Brinkworth;

c)    The final award was presented for Supported Internships, which won the Co?Production Award at the NASEN Awards 2025 for the Supported Internship Programme delivered with Discovery College. The programme has supported young people into paid employment, achieving outcomes significantly above national averages. Tina Brinkworth and Jane Hunt accepted the award.

Councillor Laing (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Culture and Communications) made the following announcements:

d)    Thanked Members for their kind wishes regarding Councillor Tudor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) and confirmed that he was recovering well;

e)    The launch of Team Plymouth, including events held in Plymouth and Westminster which were well attended and focused on funding and inward investment. Discussions were ongoing and workstreams were being mobilised, alongside the development of business cases for an initial £50 million investment;

f)     A cultural roundtable was hosted in Westminster, attended by national cultural organisations including Arts Council England, Creative UK and Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Culture was confirmed as a central element of Team Plymouth, supporting talent attraction and city living;

g)    Homes England had confirmed £18.44 million of investment into the Civic Centre, completing the funding package. Progress included asbestos removal, design consultation and installation of new hoardings. Structural surveys and concrete repairs would begin in 2026, with cladding replacement commencing in 2027;

h)    Updates were also provided on capital projects including completion of the Derriford District Centre, Tinside enhancements, ABP (Associated British Ports) Port improvements, shore power delivery, Freeport investment, Ocean’s Gate development, Mount Batten Centre works and progress at Langage;

Councillor Aspinall (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care) made the following announcements:

i)     Safeguarding Week, focused on prevention and empowering safer cultures. Councillors were reminded that safeguarding was everyone’s responsibility and concerns should always be reported;

j)     Councillors were also encouraged to promote flu and COVID19 vaccinations, noting uptake remained below desired levels;

k)    Congratulations were extended to Paul Caston, who had been named Newly Qualified Adult Social Worker of the Year, with thanks also extended to the Principal Social Worker.

Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities) made the following announcements:

l)     An update was provided on housing delivery, including confirmation of a £33 million Homes England grant in partnership with Plymouth Community Homes to deliver 80 new social rent homes at Bath Street, creating a new community.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the report, which was seconded by Councillor Laing (Deputy Leader). 

Council agreed to:

1.    Approve the revision to the Capital Budget for 2025-2030 to £372.311 as shown in Table 2 with reconciliation and detail of the movements in the quarter set out in Tables 1 and Table 4.;

2.    Note the performance against prudential Indicators for quarter 2 of 2025/26 detailed in section 2.

For (47)

Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Coker, Cresswell, Darcy, Dann, Dingle, Finn, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Simpson, M. Smith, R. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy and Wood.

Against (0)

Abstain (5)

Councillors Mrs Bridgeman, Loveridge, Ney, S. Nicholson and Ricketts.

Absent/did not vote (2)

Councillors Tofan and Ms Watkin.

Councillor Stephens (Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport) introduced the item, which was seconded by Councillor Lugger (Leader of the Conservative Group).

Following contributions from Councillors Mrs Beer, Freeman, Briars-Delve, Cresswell, Steel, McLay, Wood and Aspinall, Council agreed to:

1.    Endorse the “Plymouth City Council’s Local Government Reorganisation Proposal for Devon” attached as Appendix A of the report;

2.    Subject to agreement by Exeter City Council at their meeting on 25 November 2025, the proposal and Exeter’s proposal be presented as a single joint submission comprising a shared Executive Summary and the two individual proposals as appendices.

For (47)
Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Darcy, Dann, Dingle, Finn, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Noble, S. Nicholson, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Simpson, M. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tuohy and Wood.

Against (2)
Councillors Ney and Ricketts.

Abstain (2)
Councillors McLay and Tippetts.

Absent/did not vote (3)
Councillors R. Smith, Tofan and Ms Watkin.

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the report, which was seconded by Councillor Laing (Deputy Leader). 

Following contributions from Councillors Wood and Cresswell, Council agreed to:

1.    Approve the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2025/26 – 2029/30

For (43)
Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Briars-Delve, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Darcy, Dann, Dingle, Finn, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Raynsford, Reilly, Simpson, M. Smith, R. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tuohy and Wood.

Against (0)

Abstain (9)
Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Loveridge, McLay, Ney, S .Nicholson, Poyser, Ricketts and Tippetts.

Absent/did not vote (2)
Councillors Tofan and Ms Watkin.

Councillor Ms Watkin (Lord Mayor) proposed to move a motion to suspend standing orders to allow the Chief Executive to introduce the report and answer questions, this was seconded by Councillor Tofan (Deputy Lord Mayor).

This was agreed by Council. 

For (52)
Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Finn, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Ney, S Nicholson, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Ricketts, Simpson, M. Smith, R. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy and Wood.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/did not vote (2)

Councillors Tofan and Ms Watkin.

Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) introduced the report and answered a question from Councillor Mrs Beer.

Councillor Dann (Cabinet Member for Customer Experience, Sport, Leisure and HR and OD) moved the recommendations, which was seconded by Councillor Laing (Deputy Leader).

Council agreed to:

1.    To approve the addition of the posts of the following service director posts to Plymouth City Council’s senior management structure;

a. Service Director Team Plymouth;

b. Service Director Quality Assurance, Safeguarding & Partnerships;

2.    To note the designation of the role of Statutory Scrutiny Officer to the Head of Democratic and Electoral Services;

3.    To approve the designation of the S151 role to the successful applicant for the Interim Service Director for Finance;

4.    To note the latest management structure for Plymouth City Council.

For (47)
Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, S Nicholson, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Simpson, M. Smith, R. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy and Wood.

Against (0)

Abstain (4)
Councillors Mrs Bridgeman, Loveridge, Ney and Ricketts.

Absent/did not vote (3)
Councillors Finn, Tofan and Ms Watkin.

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the report, which was seconded by Councillor Allen (Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee).

Council agreed to:

1.    Approve the Treasury Management Annual Report 2024/25;

2.    Note that the threshold level of fixed rate exposure for borrowing was exceeded during the year, which was done to mitigate against interest rate risk from temporary borrowing with other local authorities.

For (43)
Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Briars-Delve, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, McLay, Moore, Morton, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Reilly, Simpson, M. Smith, R. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy and Wood.

Against: (0)

Abstain (7)
Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Loveridge, Ney, S. Nicholson, Poyser, and Ricketts.

Absent/did not vote (4)
Councillors Finn, Raynsford, Tofan and Ms Watkin.

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) introduced the report which was seconded by Councillor Allen (Chair of Audit and Governance).

Council agreed to:

1.    Note the Mid-Year Treasury Management Report 2025/26;

2.    Note impact created by borrowing for SEND deficit and liability benchmark exposure to high borrowing exceeding capital financing requirement;

3.    Note non-compliance with the Treasury Management indicator for interest rate exposure through upper limit on fixed interest rate exposure, explained in paragraph 12.3 of the report;

4.    Approve the following amendments to the Treasury Management Strategy:   

a. Increasing the upper limit for fixed interest rate exposure to 100%;

b. Increasing the counterparty limit from £12m to £15m for investment in Money Market Funds.

For (42)
Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Briars-Delve, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Reilly, Raynsford, Simpson, M. Smith, R. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tuohy and Wood.

Against (0)

Abstain (9)
Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Loveridge, McLay, Ney, S. Nicholson, Poyser, Ricketts and Tippetts.

Absent/did not vote (3)
Councillors Finn, Tofan and Ms Watkin.

To consider motions from councillors in accordance with Part B, paragraph 5 of the Constitution.

Councillor Wood, introduced the motion, as amended, which was seconded by Councillor Lugger (Leader of the Opposition).

Following contributions from Councillors Tippetts, Taylor, Stephens, Penrose, Haydon, Cresswell, Mrs Beer, McLay, Bannerman, Goslin, Noble, Council agreed to:

Request the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport in addition to the actions already undertaken:  
 

1. To investigate how to increase and better resource active enforcement against illegal parking on School Keep Clear road markings and double yellow lines near schools, particularly during peak hours. 
     

2. To run a public awareness campaign in partnership with schools, highlighting the safety risks caused by illegal inconsiderate and dangerous parking and encouraging responsible driving, parking and crossing behaviour near our schools. A campaign would also promote the safe and responsible actions used by most children and adults near schools.  
    

3. To provide a progress report to Scrutiny within 6 months outlining actions taken, data on enforcement activity, and recommendations for any further improvements. 

For (51)
Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Darcy, Dingle, Finn, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Ney, S. Nicholson, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Simpson, M. Smith, R. Smith, Sproston, Stephens, Steel, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy and Wood.

Against: (0)

Abstain: (0)

Absent/did not vote (3)
Councillors Ricketts, Tofan and Ms Watkin.

Councillor Mrs Beer introduced the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Mrs Bridgeman.

Following contributions from Councillors Lugger, Darcy, Dann, R. Smith, Wood, the motion was not carried.  

For (3)
Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman and S Nicholson.

Against (47)
Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Briars-Delve, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Darcy, Dann, Dingle, Finn, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, M Smith, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, R Smith, Ricketts, Simpson, Sproston, Stephens, Steel, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy and Wood.

Abstain (2)
Councillors Loveridge and Ney.

Absent/did not vote (2)
Councillors Tofan and Ms Watkin.

Councillor Lawson introduced the motion which was seconded by Councillor Bannerman.

Following contributions from Councillors Reilly, McLay, Tippetts and Penberthy, Council agreed to:

1.    Request that the Leader of the Council wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer encouraging them to tackle child poverty by lifting the two-child benefit cap. 

For (40)
Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Briars-Delve, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Dingle, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lowry, McCarty, McNamara, McLay, Moore, Morton, Noble, S Nicholson, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Simpson, M. Smith, Sproston, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts and Tuohy.

Against (0)

Abstain (8)
Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Darcy, Finn, Lugger, Loveridge, Ricketts and Wood.

Absent/did not vote (6)
Councillors Holloway Ney, R. Smith, Steel, Tofan and Ms Watkin.

Councillor Aspinall (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care) introduced the motion which was seconded by Councillor Lugger (Leader of the Conservative Group).

Following contributions from Councillors Laing and Finn, Council agreed to:

1.    Ask the Leader to write to the Minister for Health and the three Members of Parliament representing Plymouth, to endorse and support the ambition to increase the student numbers entering the Plymouth Peninsula Dental School.  

For (47)
Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Dingle, Finn, Freeman, Gilmour, Haydon, Hendy, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Loveridge, Lugger, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Ney, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Ricketts, Simpson, M. Smith, R. Smith, Sproston, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts, Tuohy and Wood.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Absent/did not vote (7)
Councillors Darcy, Goslin, Holloway, Lowry, S. Nicholson, Tofan and Ms Watkin.

Councillor Ricketts introduced the motion, which was seconded by Councillor Mrs Beer. 

Following contributions from Councillors Penberthy, McLay and Krizanac, the motion was not carried.

For (6)
Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Finn, Loveridge, Ney and Ricketts.

Against (40)
Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Blight, Briars-Delve, Coker, Cresswell, Cuddihee, Dann, Dingle, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Krizanac, Laing, Lawson, Lowry, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Simpson, M. Smith, Sproston, Stephens, Stevens, Steel, Taylor, Tippetts and Tuohy.

Abstain (2)
Councillors Lugger and Wood.

Absent/did not vote (6)
Councillors Darcy, Holloway, S. Nicholson, R. Smith, Tofan and Ms Watkin.

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 4 of the constitution.