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

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

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 3 August 2009.  

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 August 2009 were signed as a correct record.

(a)       To receive announcements from the Lord Mayor or the Chief Executive;

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

(i)                 Alderman Eileen Evans

The Lord Mayor referred to the death, on 25 June 2009, of Alderman Eileen Evans who was the Lord Mayor of Plymouth in 1998-99 and became an Honorary Alderman of Devon County Council in 1998 and Honorary Alderman of Plymouth City Council in 2000.

Councillors stood in silence as a mark of respect.

(ii)               Councillor Tuohy

The Lord Mayor welcomed the newly elected Councillor Tuohy to this, her first, City Council meeting.

(iii)             Britain in Bloom and Allotment Awards

The Lord Mayor presented awards for the following:

• National:  Britain in Bloom silver gilt award and award for Darwin themed local routes;
• Regional:  South West in Bloom gold award and award for Darwin themed local routes;
• Neighbourhood:  East End Community Group for allotments on Embankment Road.

(iv)              Customer Service Excellence Award

The Lord Mayor announced that the Council’s front line customer service team won a national award last week.  The award highlighted Plymouth City Council as a leader in customer excellence to other authorities and public bodies who were present and it was hoped that this would soon be shared on the Cabinet Office website as best practice for others to use.

Appointments to committees, outside bodies, etc.

Resolved that the following appointments were approved –

(i)                 Business Improvement District (BID)

The city had received an award at a British BIDS Standards Board Award ceremony held last month in recognition of the successful way Plymouth’s BID  had been run since it was implemented four years ago.

(ii)               Funding Offer from Sport England

Plymouth City Council had received a funding offer of nearly £2m from Sport England for the Life Centre project.  The Leader extended thanks to all involved in securing the bid.

To receive questions from and provide answers to the public in relation to matters which, in the opinion of the Lord Mayor, are relevant to the business of the meeting in accordance with paragraph 10 of the Constitution.

In accordance with paragraph 10 of the constitution, the following question was submitted by a member of the public –

Resolved that in the absence of the questioner, a written response be sent to him.

Local Democracy Week this year has an emphasis on youth and members of the Youth Parliament have been invited to attend the Council meeting and give a presentation to members on their role and aspirations for the future.

The Leader welcomed members of the Youth Parliament to the Council meeting and invited them to give a presentation to members on their role and aspirations for the future.

City Council and Youth Parliament members’ questions, suggestions and responses included –

• the Youth Parliament would welcome the opportunity to be consulted on ‘Locality working’ and would be happy to give feedback to the Council;

·        the Youth Parliament cabinet appointees were not elected but were drawn from those who had demonstrated their interest in the Youth Parliament;

·        regarding how City Council members could help, the Youth Parliament would welcome more aims and tasks to fulfil, more promotional  opportunities and visits by City Council members to their meetings;

·        City Council members reiterated their invitation to Youth Parliament members to attend Cabinet meetings;

·        City Council members suggested that it would be a good idea if their contact details could be disseminated to Youth Parliament members.

Resolved that thanks be extended to the Youth Parliament members for their attendance and presentation.

There is no outstanding business.

There were no items of business outstanding for this meeting.

There were no items of business outstanding for this meeting.

Councillor McDonald raised a query regarding the accuracy of a written response she had received in respect of the placement of vulnerable people in unlicensed houses in multiple occupation.

Councillor Brookshaw responded and read part of the written response to Members.

Councillor Brookshaw subsequently responded to a statement by Councillor Evans.

The Lord Mayor advised that this did not fall within the scope of the agenda item and Councillor Brookshaw agreed to speak further with Councillor McDonald outside of the meeting.

(The draft minute 44 was not approved at the City Council meeting on 30 November 2009 and following the withdrawal of the draft minutes, they were resubmitted with the above amendment and approved at the City Council meeting on 1 February 2010)

Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board: Councillor James

Lead Officer: Head of Policy, Performance and Partnerships 

To view the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board report, please click on the following link –

http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/mgInternet/Published/C00000911/M00003673/AI00037903/$SWHealthProtocol2.docA.ps.pdf

Councillor James submitted resolution (3) of Overview and Scrutiny Management Board minute 10 (a) for approval.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Mrs Watkins.

Resolved that Overview and Scrutiny Management Board minute 10, resolution (3) was approved as follows –

approval and adoption of the Protocol for establishment of joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee be confirmed.

Cabinet Members: Councillors Bowyer and Brookshaw

CMT Lead Officer: Director for Corporate Support

To view the Cabinet report, please click on the following link –

http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/mgInternet/Published/C00000254/M00003757/AI00038720/$HousingStockTransfer.docA.ps.pdf

Councillor Brookshaw submitted the recommendations contained in the report for approval and the proposal was seconded by Councillor Fry.

Resolved that the recommendations be approved as follows –

(1)           it be agreed to proceed with the transfer of the Council’s housing stock to Plymouth Community Homes subject to the Council’s final approval of the Valuation Agreement, the terms of the disposal contract and to Council obtaining all necessary consent;

(2)           the decision to transfer the housing stock be deferred and an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Council be called and held on 26 October at 5pm to determine the transfer proposals.

To consider motions from Members in accordance with paragraph 13 of the Constitution.

There were no motions on notice.

Councillor Evans raised concerns regarding a letter that had come to his attention warning that some gas boilers’ heating equipment supplied to public bodies contained gaskets that might fail.  The Chief Executive advised that such issues should be raised direct with him and agreed to enquire further into the matter.

Questions to the Leader, Cabinet Members and Committee Chairs covering aspects for their areas of responsibility or concern by Members in accordance with paragraph 12 of the Constitution;

In accordance with paragraph 12 of the Constitution, the following questions were asked of the Leader, Cabinet Members and Committee Chairs covering aspects of their areas of responsibility –

Resolved that written responses be sent in relation to questions 1, 3, 5 and 6 above.

The Leader will introduce the Forward Plan as now submitted.

Members may ask questions specific to the Forward Plan of the Leader/Cabinet Members.

Following the introduction of the Forward Plan by the Leader, questions were asked of the Leader and Cabinet Members as follows –

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it (they) involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  

There were no items of exempt business.