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 –

The Lord Mayor advised Councillors Lowry and Smith that there was no need to make declarations as employees of Babcock in relation to minute 125 (Motion on Notice No 21: Final Disposal of Waste: Alternative Treatment).   

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2011.

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2011, are confirmed 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 reported the death of Alderman Mrs Carol Anne Brimblecombe on 16 March 2011.  Alderman Mrs Brimblecombe served on the City Council from 1973 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1995, as a representative of the Trelawny and Ham Wards.  She was made an Alderman in July 1995.

The Council stood in silence as a mark of respect.

The Lord Mayor reported that Councillor Mrs Stephens had resigned from the City Council on 14 March 2011.  She was elected to the Council in May 2008, representing the St Peter and the Waterfront Ward. 

On behalf of the City Council, the Lord Mayor thanked her for her service and wished her every success in the future.

As this was the last meeting before the local elections, the Lord Mayor thanked those councillors who were not standing for re-election on 5 May 2011. 

Councillor Dann was elected to the City Council in May 2003 and currently represented the Moor View Ward as a Labour Party Member.  She was a Cabinet Member from May 2004 to 2007 with responsibility for transport, customer focus, human resources and economic development, during that time.  More recently, she was a member of the Support Services Overview and Scrutiny Panel and the Supporting Members’ Group. 

Councillor King was elected to the City Council in May 1997 and currently represented the St Peter and the Waterfront Ward as an Independent Member.  As a Labour Party Member, he was a Cabinet Member from May 2004 to 2007, with responsibility for housing, neighbourhood services and supporting people.

The Lord Mayor thanked them for their service and wished them every success for the future.

Councillor Dann responded and wished everyone well for the future.

Councillor Mrs Pengelly (Leader) also joined in thanking Councillor Dann for her work and wished her and her husband well for the future.

Councillor Mrs Pengelly (Leader) referred to the recent announcement thatPlymouth would be the host city for the America's Cup from 10 to 18 September 2011.

She referred to the benefits to the city to be gained from the event, including revenue generated from having 15 race teams in the city and the attraction of visitors to the event.

She formally thanked all the officers involved, for their work in bringing this event to Plymouth.

Councillor Mrs Pengelly (Leader) announced that the British Arts Show would commence on 19 September (immediately following the America’s Cup event) and would run until December 2011. Plymouth was one of three locations in the country to host the touring exhibition and could expect a significant boost to the economy.

Councillor Mrs Pengelly (Leader) referred to the recent announcement that Canada’s national diving team would be using the Plymouth Life Centre as its pre-Olympic Games training camp.

CouncillorMrs Watkins (Cabinet Member for Children and Young People) reported that, following a visit to Ministers in relation to the condition of school buildings, officers from the Department for Education had visited Plymouth to look at the difficulties which had been highlighted to them.  A response was awaited. 

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 democraticsupport@plymouth.gov.uk. Any questions must be received at least five clear working days before the date of the meeting.

Two questions were received from the public, in accordance with paragraph 10 of the Constitution.  Mr Fox attended the meeting to ask the questions and Councillor Wigens (Cabinet Member for Transport) responded, as follows - 

To receive the recommendation of the Lord Mayor Selection Committee, prior to the Annual Meeting, in accordance with Article 5.1.1 of the Council’s Constitution.

Lord Mayor Selection Committee Chair: Councillor Mrs Pengelly

CMT Lead Officer: Director for Corporate Support

Councillor Mrs Pengelly (Leader) proposed, and Councillor Evans seconded, approval of the nomination of Councillor Brookshaw as Lord Mayor for the ensuing year. (Lord Mayor Selection Committee minute 3 referred).

Agreed that CouncillorBrookshaw was accepted as the nomination for Lord Mayor during 2011/12, on the recommendation of the Lord Mayor’s Selection Committee. 

Following the decision, Councillor Brookshaw responded and thanked the Council.

To consider the recommendations in Cabinet minute 134 relating to four ‘invest to save’ projects, the continuation of the CareFirst project, and an increase in capital and revenue resources for highway maintenance and coastal management / flood defence projects. 

To consider any recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board to be held on 6 April 2011 on the Cabinet recommendations (to follow).

Cabinet Member : Councillor Bowyer

Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board: Councillor James

CMT Lead Officer: Director for Corporate Resources

At the commencement of the item, the Head of Legal Services outlined the proposed process for consideration of the proposals on ‘invest to save’ initiatives and financial update.

The City Council considered -

Councillor Bowyer (Cabinet Member for Finance, Property, People and Governance) presented the recommendations in Cabinet minute 134 on ‘invest to save’ initiatives and financial update, and indicated that –

The motion was seconded by Councillor Ball.

Councillor James (Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board) submitted the recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on the proposals (minute 126 of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board referred).

The recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board was seconded by Councillor Thompson.

Following a debate, the vote was taken and it was Agreed to include the following information in all future ‘invest to save’ schemes –

An amendment was moved by Councillor McDonald to amend the Cabinet recommendations as follows –

Following an adjournment, Councillor McDonald presented the amendment which was seconded by Councillor Wildy, and they referred to -

To consider the recommendation in Cabinet minute 137 to adopt the Children and Young People’s Plan 2011/14. 

Cabinet Member: Councillor Mrs Watkins

CMT Lead Officer: Director of Services for Children and Young People

The Council considered the recommendation of Cabinet, contained in minute 137, on the adoption of the Children and Young People’s Plan 2011/14, together with the written report of the Director of Services for Children and Young People which had been submitted to Cabinet. 

Councillor Mrs Watkins (Cabinet Member for Children and Young People) presented the Children and Young People’s Plan 2011/14 for adoption, subject to an amendment of an error on Guiding Principle No 8 (page 55 refers) so that the sixth bullet point reads “…….Gypsy and Traveller families” (to replace “……..gypsy and traveller families”) and highlighted that she had attended all the consultation events (except for one).  She had been particularly impressed with the event attended by children, who had been very enthusiastic and had contributed to the plan.   

Councillor Mrs Bowyer seconded the proposal and congratulated Services for Children and Young People on their consultation.  During the debate, the following points were raised -

Agreed that the Children and Young People’s Plan 2011/14 is adopted, as amended.

At the conclusion of the item, the Lord Mayor again reminded councillors with regard to the way they refer to each other.

To consider the recommendation in Cabinet minute 140 to adopt Plymouth’s Third Local Transport Plan. 

Cabinet Member: Councillor Wigens

CMT Lead Officer: Director for Development and Regeneration

The Council considered the recommendation of Cabinet, contained in minute 140, on the adoption of Plymouth’s Third Local Transport Plan, together with the written report of the Director for Development and Regeneration which had been submitted to Cabinet. 

Councillor Wigens (Cabinet Member for Transport) presented Plymouth’s Third Local Transport Plan for adoption and reported that the draft plan had been the subject of a 12 week consultation exercise. 

Councillor Lock seconded the proposal.

During the debate, the following points were raised -

CouncillorWigens undertook to follow up Councillor Vincent’s comments on air quality and would provide details to him when the areas of concern were known.  He also undertook to follow up Councillor Williams’ comments on a review of subsidised bus services.  The services were all reviewed at least annually and when individual requests were received. 

Agreed that Plymouth’s Third Local Transport Planis adopted. 

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

Councillor Evans moved the following motion on notice for approval –

WITHDRAWAL OF BUS SERVICES

The motion was seconded by Councillor Wheeler.

During the debate, the issues raised, included that –

CouncillorWigens (Cabinet Member for Transport) indicated that he would be willing to accept the motion.  He also announced that a solution for the Merafield to Cattedown link bus service had been found and that the Council would be supporting a three month trial service, hopefully to be extended to one year.

Councillor Ball moved, and Councillor Monahan seconded, that the vote was taken.  Following a vote, the motion was carried.

Councillor Evans summed up, regretting the end of the debate and sought clarity of when the bus service would start and at what times.

The motion was put to the vote and declared carried.  It was Agreed that the relevant portfolio holder work with Citybus and other operators to restore some service to stops which now have no service and to restore links which have been severed, and to consider providing some financial support for whatever service can be restored.

(Councillors Mrs Foster, Martin Leaves, Sam Leaves and Vincent having declared interests, withdrew from the meeting during consideration of this  item).

Councillor Wheeler moved the following motion on notice for approval, the City Council noting a typographical error in the motion circulated as indicated, in bold italics, below -

FINAL DISPOSAL OF WASTE: ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT

The motion was seconded by Councillor Evans who indicated that Wakefield Council had taken advantage of this solution. 

During the debate, the issues raised, included that –

To consider the draft Programme of Ordinary Meetings of the Council and Committees for 2011/12, up to the next Annual General Meeting of the Council.

Cabinet Member: Leader (Councillor Mrs Pengelly)

CMT Lead Officer: Director for Corporate Support 

Councillor Mrs Pengelly (Leader) presented the programme of ordinary meetings of the Council and committees 2011/12, for approval.  Councillor Fry seconded the proposal. 

Agreed that the programme of ordinary meetings of the Council and committees 2011/12 is approved.

To consider appointments to committees, outside bodies etc. indicated in the written report and any additional proposals received.    

CMT Lead Officer: Assistant Director for Democracy and Governance

The written report of the Assistant Director for Democracy and Governance was submitted.

Agreed that –

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

The Leader will introduce the Forward Plan.

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

The Leader introduced the Forward Plan.

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

As this was the last City Council meeting before the Annual General Meeting, the Lord Mayor thanked all councillors and wished Councillor Brookshaw (Lord Mayor Designate) well next year.