The Lord Mayor reported that Adam Broome, Director for Corporate Support, was in attendance today, in place of the Chief Executive.

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

In accordance with the Code of Conduct, the following declarations of interest were made in relation to items at this meeting -

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 26 April and 21 May 2010.  

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 April and 21 May 2010 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.

Armed Forces Week

The Lord Mayor referred to the Armed Forces Week held in June and, on behalf of the Council, congratulated Commander Charles Crichton, various partners, Councillors Brookshaw and Jordan, the armed forces and cadets on the successful event.

Adult Social Care Services - Dignity in Care Award

The Lord Mayor advised councillors that Plymouth had fought off fierce competition from across the country to win a coveted Dignity in Care award which recognised staff in caring professions who go the ‘extra mile’ to respect people’s dignity in care home settings.  Plymouth’s award was in recognition of its cutting edge work to ensure the highest possible standards in the city’s 160 care homes.

The award was for two specific areas of work – the Dignity in Care Home Forum and the Care Home Practitioners, both designed to provide practical support to care home managers and to share best practice.

The councillors joined with the Lord Mayor in congratulating the Adult Social Care Team on their success and thanked them for coming to the meeting.

Appointments to committees, outside bodies, etc.

Agreed that –

The UK’s ‘Best Achieving Council of the Year’

The Deputy Leader referred to the award won by the Council as the UK's best achieving council in the 2010 Municipal Journal Achievement Awards.   

This was the top award of 14 that were presented, and Michael Portillo, presenting the award, said that the best achieving council award was for the crème de la crème for local authorities and there had been a very impressive array of finalists.

He went on to say that “The winner is a council which has not always been in the national limelight. The judges were surprised and impressed by the breadth of its improvement and the pride that’s been created in this city through its community leadership. Its creativity during a difficult period has been inspiring and the judges are convinced that it will continue to be outstanding.”

The judges said the Council had: “delivered an unprecedented programme of change as part of its improvement journey”.

The Deputy Leader, on behalf of the Council, extended the Council’s thanks to all the staff for their hard work and also congratulated councillors on the achievement.

OFSTED Inspection

The Deputy Leader advised the Council that, in May this year, the Council  received the excellent results of the Ofsted and CQC inspection, that looked at how well we take care of our looked after children and safeguard all children and young people in the city.

Plymouth was one of the first cities in the country to receive overall ratings of ‘good’ for both areas of the inspection and the authority achieved the most ‘outstanding’ grades of any Council that was inspected at the time.

Inspectors scrutinised Plymouth’s performance over an intensive 40 day period, and awarded us with ‘outstanding’ performance grades in partnership working, leadership and management, user engagement and the city’s ambition and prioritisation.

This was a great achievement for Council staff and members, and all those working with children and young people across the city.

The Deputy Leader also referred to the work undertaken by the Council as corporate parents and indicated that ‘The Pledge’, a DVD put together by young people in care, would be shown to councillors on another occasion.

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.

The Lord Mayor indicated that there were three public questions to be considered at the meeting in accordance with paragraph 10 of the Constitution.  In the absence of Mr Sharpe and Mr Emery, the following questions and responses were circulated - 

CMT Member: Monitoring Officer

Cabinet Member: Councillor Bowyer  

Further to minute 125 (09/10) of the last meeting, Councillor Bowyer submitted the report of the Director for Corporate Support and moved the recommendation in the report for approval.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Fry. 

Following a vote, it was Agreed that the report is noted and the change to the constitution is accepted.     

Audit Committee Chair: Councillor Berrow

CMT Lead Officer: Director for Corporate Support

To view the Audit Committee report, please click on the following link:

http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/mgInternet/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=24141

Councillor Berrow (Chair of the Audit Committee) presented the Annual Report on Treasury Management Activities for 2009/10 and the recommendations of the Audit Committee (minute 8 refers), for approval.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Stark.

Following a request from Councillor Evans for more detail on capitalisation directions, the Director for Corporate Support reported.

Following a vote, it was Agreed that the Annual Report is accepted and the final Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2009/10 is approved as follows -

Supported Borrowing

For borrowing supported by Revenue Support Grant the Council will continue to use the current method of 4% of the adjusted Non-HRA capital financing requirement.

Unsupported Borrowing

For new borrowing under the prudential system for which no Government support is being given and is therefore self-financed, MRP will be made in equal annual instalments over the life of the asset.

Capitalisation Directions

For capitalisation directions on expenditure incurred since 1 April 2008 MRP will be made in equal annual instalments over 20 years in line with DCLG guidance.

PFI/Leases

MRP in respect of PFI and leases brought on Balance Sheet under the 2009 SORP and IFRS will be based on a charge equal to the amount that has been taken to the Balance Sheet to reduce the liability.

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

In accordance with the Rules of Procedure, the following motion (No 1 10/11) was moved by Councillor Wheeler -

‘This Council notes with disappointment the withdrawal of the St Budeaux and Weston Mill taxibus service, to take effect from 6^th August. No discussion took place with the Council prior to notice being given to the Traffic Commissioner, so no prior discussion over a replacement service has been possible. The Council further notes the content of the leaflet that the operator is distributing, with its implication that the withdrawal is the fault of the Council for providing no subsidy.

Prior to the introduction of this service, the previous taxibus service received a small Council subsidy. This had to be withdrawn when Taxifast registered its commercial service.

With the introduction of this service 4 years ago, the other weekday services that operated along parts of these routes have been withdrawn. This means that residents, including elderly and disabled people, have no alternative than to pay the cost of a taxi to get to the doctors’ surgeries or to shops.

 The Council resolves -

A motion was moved and seconded for Councillor Wheeler to have an extension for a further period of five minutes to present the motion.  The motion was put to the vote and declared lost.

The motion on notice was seconded by Councillor Evans.

Following a vote, the motion was declared lost.

(Councillors Martin Leaves, Mike Leaves, Sam Leaves having declared an interest, withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the above item).

In accordance with the Rules of Procedure, the following motion (No 2 10/11) was moved by Councillor Evans and seconded by Councillor Williams -

‘THIS COUNCIL

Notes that the Government -

This Council resolves to –

Following a vote, the motion was declared lost.

In accordance with the Rules of Procedure, the following motion (No 3 10/11) was moved by Councillor Evans –

‘Council notes recent changes to Citybus routes 28b, 45, 46 and 47 and the withdrawal of 146, 147, 247 and 246 announced in the press.  These changes result in loss of services in areas where car ownership is amongst the lowest in the City.

Council resolves that in future Citybus and First should consult widely with the travelling public and councillors before advertising any changes to bus services.’

During the mover’s speech, Councillor Ball moved a point of order to question why a seconder had not been sought.  The Assistant Director for Democracy and Governance advised that it was in order for Councillor Evans to explain the motion.

The motion was subsequently seconded by Councillor Wildy.

The following amendment was moved by Councillor Nicholson - 

‘The Council write to CityBus and First to request, whilst acknowledging that they have to make commercial decisions, that in future, they always undertake meaningful discussions with the public, the City Council and Councillors well before changes are implemented.’

The validity of the motion was challenged and the Assistant Director for Democracy and Governance confirmed that the motion was in order. Following further challenges, the Lord Mayor adjourned the meeting to clarify the motion.

When the meeting reconvened, Councillor Nicholson confirmed that the intention of the amendment was to delete the original motion and insert his amendment.  The amendment was seconded by Councillor Viney.

Councillor Ball subsequently moved and Councillor Mrs Beer seconded a motion that the vote is taken.  This motion was put to the vote and agreed.

Before the vote was taken, Councillor Nicholson was invited to sum up.

The amendment was then put to the vote and declared carried (and became the substantive motion).

Following a request from Councillor Wildy, it was Agreed that notice would be given when there was 30 seconds remaining on the five minute time limit for a speech. 

CouncillorWildy subsequently moved a further amendment to insert the following words at the beginning of the motion agreed by the City Council, so that the amendment read –

‘In view of changes to services across the city which affect many members of the public this Council resolves to write to CityBus and First to request, whilst acknowledging that they have to make commercial decisions, that in future, they always undertake meaningful discussions with the public, the City Council and councillors well before changes are implemented.’

The amendment was seconded by Councillor Tuohy.

Councillor Ball moved, and Councillor Wigens seconded the motion that the vote is taken.

Following a vote, the amendment was declared carried. 

Before the vote was taken on the substantive motion, Councillor Evans was invited to sum up.

The vote was taken and the motion was declared carried.

(Councillors Martin Leaves, Mike Leaves, Sam Leaves and Vincent, having declared an interest, withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the above item).

Agency staff procurement – contract extension.

In accordance with paragraph 17.2 of the Constitution, the Deputy Leader reported to the Council, for noting, the decision taken by Cabinet, on 8 June, concerning an extension to a contract for agency staff procurement and the reasons for urgency, which had been agreed with the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board.   

Councillor Mrs Watkins seconded the proposal.

During the discussion, the Assistant Director for Democracy and Governance reminded councillors of the constitutional requirements for reporting the decision.  

Following a vote, the report was noted.

Questions to the Leader, Cabinet Members and Committee Chairs covering aspects for their areas of responsibility or concern by councillors 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 -

With regard to question (1) above, Councillor James undertook to write to the pupils of Tamarside Community College, who drew the issue to the attention of the City Council, with the good news and thanking them for their good work in having Plymouth named in the report of the former Children’s Commissioner for England.

With regard to question (4) above, and in the absence of the Leader and the Chief Executive at the meeting, Councillor Evans was advised to make the request direct to them. 

With regard to question (6) above, Councillor Bowyer undertook to consider the request for publication of waiting times and to provide a response to Councillor McDonald.

With regard to question (9) above, the Lord Mayor indicated that a written response would be provided to Councillor Dann.

The Leader will introduce the Forward Plan.

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

The Deputy Leader introduced the Forward Plan and questions were asked of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Members as follows –