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 5 July 2010.  

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 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.

The Lord Mayor referred to the death of Alderman Mrs Betty Easton OBE who passed away on 10 July 2010.   Alderman Mrs Easton served as a Councillor from 1973 to 1995, representing Plymstock Radford Ward.  She was chairman of the Public Services Committee for 14 years and was elected Lord Mayor in 1991.  She became an Honorary Alderman in July 1995.

The Council stood, in silence, for one minute as a mark of respect.

Appointments to committees, outside bodies etc.

Agreed that –

(1)               the following appointments are approved -

(2)               the Leader, Opposition Leader, Deputy Leaders, Chief Whips and responsible staff to meet outside the Council meeting, to resolve the process for appointments to outside bodies;

(3)               the membership of the Supporting Members’ Group is noted as follows –

            CouncillorDann to replace Councillor Rennie.

Councillor Mrs Watkins (Cabinet Member for Children and Young People) confirmed the Council’s position that leisure passes for children and young people were not being withdrawn.  Councillor Evans requested a transcript.

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.

Questions, of no longer than 50 words, can be submitted to the Democratic Support Unit, Corporate Support Department, Plymouth City Council, Civic Centre, Plymouth, PL1 2AA, or email to democratic.support@plymouth.gov.uk. Any questions must be received at least 5 clear working days before the date of the meeting.

There were no questions from the public for this meeting.

Further to minute 21 (4) of the last meeting, Councillor Stevens referred to his request for an all party briefing from the Leader and Chief Executive on the World Cup visit and sought an update.   Councillor Mrs Pengelly reported that a briefing pack would be circulated to all Members by the end of the meeting.

Cabinet Member: Councillor Fry

CMT Lead Officer: Director for Development and Regeneration

To view the Cabinet report and document click on the following link

http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/mgInternet/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=24527

Councillor Fry submitted the Planning Obligations and Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document, First Review (Cabinet minute 23 referred) for adoption.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Lock,

Following a vote, it was Agreed that –

(1)         the Planning Obligations and Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document, First Review is adopted;

(2)         Councillor Evans is provided with a breakdown of the £1.3m negotiated tariff; indicating how much was single pot, and Councillors Evans and Stevens discuss the issues at their next meeting with Assistant Directors in the Development and Regeneration Directorate.

Councillor James submitted the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for noting.

The Lord Mayor drew attention to an error on page 4 of the report where 2010 should read 2009.  She advised the Council that the submission of a flawed report was not acceptable and she would discuss the matter with Councillor James, for the future.

Agreed that the Overview and Scrutiny Annual report is noted.

Councillor James submitted the amendment to the Overview and Scrutiny Panels’ Terms of Reference (Overview and Scrutiny Management Board minute 24 referred) for approval.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Ball.

Following a vote, it was Agreed that the amendment to the Overview and Scrutiny Panels’ Terms of Reference is approved and the constitution amended accordingly.

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

• Building Schools for the Future
• Leisure Passes for children and young people in care
• Consultation Programme on changes to service delivery

In accordance with the Rules of Procedure, the following motion (No 4 10/11) was moved by Councillor Wildy and seconded by Councillor Evans –

            ‘Council notes the Government’s withdrawal of the above programme.

1.                  Council further notes that at present there are no plans regarding the rebuilding of Stoke Damerel Community College;

2.                  the provision designated for refurbishment at Lipson Community College and the ICT suite for Woodview Learning Campus has been cancelled;

3.                  All Saints Academy and Marine Academy Plymouth are designated as ‘to be discussed’, presumably with Department for Education and Sponsors;

           Students, parents, teachers and their communities have been left uncertain about the prospect for building programmes at all these schools.

           In view of the above, Council resolves:-

1.                  to ask our Members of Parliament; Gary Streeter MP,  Alison Seabeck MP and Oliver Colvile MP to lead a cross party delegation including City Councillors to meet with the Secretary of State at the earliest opportunity to ensure Plymouth’s case receives proper consideration;

2.                  to campaign vigorously for the above schools to receive the funding previously allocated to enable them to provide high quality learning environments for our young people;

3.                  to involve all our partners, including the Academy Sponsors;  Faith Groups; Children’s Trust; Local Strategic Partnership, Chamber of Commerce, the Plymouth Herald to gather City-wide support for this  campaign.’

The following amendment was moved by Councillor Mrs Watkins -

‘In the first number ‘3’ delete the words – ‘are designated as ‘to be discussed’, presumably’ and insert –

‘and this Council is currently in discussion’ 

Delete the paragraph starting ‘Students, parents, teachers …..’  and insert -

‘We recognise that there are students, parents and teachers who are disappointed at the Government’s decision.

It is noted however, that although Government has cancelled the BSF Programme for those schemes which had not already reached the stage of financial closure, the new Minister has stated that the Schools Building Programme is currently under review and that new proposals will be brought forward in due course.’

Delete the proposed resolution 1 and insert –

‘1.        to continue working with elected MPs to ensure Plymouth’s           case receives proper consideration.’

In resolution 2, delete the words ‘To campaign vigorously for the above schools to receive’ and insert - 

‘Working with all key partners to follow all appropriate channels in our efforts to ensure that’

Substitute ‘it’ for ‘them’ after ‘enable’ and add the words ‘is secured’ at the end of the resolution. 

So that the amended motion reads -  

Council notes the Government’s withdrawal of the above programme.

1.                  Council further notes that at present there are no plans regarding the rebuilding of Stoke Damerel Community College;

2.                  the provision designated for refurbishment at Lipson Community College and the ICT suite for Woodview Learning Campus has been cancelled;

3.                  All Saints Academy and Marine Academy Plymouth and this Council is currently in discussion with Department for Education and Sponsors.

      We recognise that there are students, parents and teachers who  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

Before the commencement of the item, the Leader invited Councillor Wildy to withdraw Motion of Notice No 5, in the light of the announcement by Councillor Mrs Watkins, referred to in minute 29 above.  Councillor Wildy declined to do so.

In accordance with the Rules of Procedure, the following motion (No 5 10/11) was moved by Councillor Wildy and seconded by Councillor Bowie -

           ‘We note the email sent to some elected members on 20 July 2010 that Leisure Centre passes enabling Children and Young People in the care of Plymouth City Council to attend Plymouth City Council Leisure Centres be removed by the end of July.  Given that all Councillors are Corporate Parents and that the Plymouth Pledge explicitly states that Young People who have been in Care of Plymouth City Council for one month should receive a free Leisure pass.

           Council resolves to request the cabinet and portfolio holder -

            1.         restore as from today the free Leisure Pass to Children and Young People in Care;

2.         present to the next meeting of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Panel a model of how the free Leisure Pass for Children and Young People in Care will be funded;

3.         confirms its commitment to honour all sections of the Plymouth Pledge.’

Councillor Ball moved, and Councillor Roberts seconded the motion that the vote is taken.  The motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

CouncillorWildy was invited to sum up and following a vote the motion was declared lost.

In accordance with the Rules of Procedure, the following motion (No 6 10/11) was moved by Councillor Williams and seconded by Councillor Stevens -

            ‘This Council notes that:-

            This Council is going to face significant budget pressures following the Coalition Government’s emergency budget in July and the Comprehensive Spending Review in October 2010.

            That significant changes to the way in which we deliver services will need to be investigated in order to respond to budget pressures.

            This Council resolves:

            To consult with service users, local councillors and the community prior to any changes to service delivery being implemented.

            That Officers bring forward a report to Scrutiny showing how the consultation programme will be implemented prior to Comprehensive Spending Review in October 2010.‘

Following a debate, the motion was put to the vote and declared lost.

Cabinet Member: Councillor Ian Bowyer

CMT Lead Officer: Director for Corporate Support

The written report of the Director for Corporate Support was submitted on the Compulsory Petitions Scheme and Councillor Bowyer submitted the recommendations in the report for approval.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Fry.

It is recommended that the Council –

(i)                 designates the Assistant Director of Democracy and Governance as the Council’s Petitions Officer;

(ii)               adopts the Petition Scheme attached at Appendix 1;

(iii)             create an on-line petition scheme by the 15^th December 2010; and

(iv)              agree to amend the Constitution to include the petition scheme.

The following amendment was moved by Councillor Lowry –

            ‘Page 19 paragraph 4 after, if your petition contains at least 2,500 signatures, delete the figures 2,500 and insert 1,000.’

The amendment was seconded by Councillor Stevens.

During the debate, Councillor Bowyer undertook to revisit the scheme in 12 months time.

Following a vote, the amendment was declared lost.

During the debate on the substantive motion and in response to a point of order by Councillor Evans, the Assistant Director for Democracy and Governance reported that the review of the Constitution would be submitted to the City Council in December 2010 and indicated the consultation proposals.

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

Following a vote, the motion was declared carried and it was AGREED that –

            (1)       the Assistant Director of Democracy and Governance is designated as the Council’s Petitions Officer;

(2)               the Petition Scheme is adopted as attached at Appendix 1;

(3)               an on-line petition scheme is created by the 15 December 2010;

(4)               the Constitution is amended to include the petition scheme.

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 Member and Committee Chairs covering aspects of their areas of responsibility -

The Cabinet Members undertook to provide written responses to questions 1, 2 and 5 above.

With regard to question 6 above, Councillor Mrs Pengelly undertook to report further to the City Council, if lobbying to retain the police authority was unsuccessful.

With regard to question 7 above, Councillor Wigens advised Councillor Rennie to put the matter in an email to him.

With regard to question 9 above, Councillor Brookshaw undertook to liaise with Councillor Smith.

The Leader will introduce the Forward Plan.

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

The Leader introduced the Forward Plan and referring to the item on City Priorities, indicated that there would be consultation on the priorities.

Questions were asked of the Leader and Cabinet Members as follows –

With regard to question 5 above, Councillor Mrs Pengelly undertook to consider the proposals.