To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2012.  

Agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2012 are confirmed as a correct record.

Councillors will be asked to make declarations of interest in respect of items on this agenda. A flowchart providing guidance on member interests is attached to assist councillors.

Councillor Peter Smith encouraged all Members for the sake of openness to declare any shareholdings that they had in Sutton Harbour Holdings rather than just those exceeding £25,000 and any similar interests in Viable.

The following declarations of interest were made in accordance with the code of conduct from councillors in relation to items under consideration at this meeting –

The report of the Director for Corporate Services was submitted on current vacancies on committees, outside bodies etc. and changes to committees that have been made.

Agreed that the following appointments were made –

The Lord Mayor congratulated Parks Services staff on winning the gold award at the South West in Bloom 2012 ceremony.

Councillors were informed that the city picked up gold in the large city category (the South West Tourism Cup) after impressing the judges who had toured the city’s gardens, floral displays, parks and community projects.

The Lord Mayor congratulated Parks Services staff on achieving 48 ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ awards.

Councillors were informed that the awards recognised community projects which had transformed local areas and made a difference to both the environment and the city and that judges had been impressed with the enthusiasm shown by local volunteers.

To receive and debate a petition submitted by Mrs Lynn Fearon on 23 August 2012 which states ‘Plymouth City Airport is a vital hub for the South West, but it is due to close, like so many other UK airports, to satisfy property developers. We need flexibility as well as investment in our transport infrastructure. Regional airports offer much greater flexibility than trains for both domestic and international travel. With investment and the right management, Plymouth City Airport would be profitable. The state should take ownership.’

Mrs Bridgeman, organiser of the Plymouth City Airport petition, attended the meeting to present the petition as follows:

‘Plymouth City Airport is a vital hub for the South West, but it is due to close, like so many other UK airports, to satisfy property developers. We need flexibility as well as investment in our transport infrastructure. Regional airports offer much greater flexibility than trains for both domestic and international travel. With investment and the right management, Plymouth City Airport would be profitable. The state should take ownership.’

Mrs Bridgeman, as part of her presentation, informed councillors that –

In response to the petition, Councillor Evans (Leader) moved the following motion –

“Plymouth City Council firmly believes that the residents and business of Plymouth deserve fast, efficient and reliable transport links with the rest of the country and beyond in order for Plymouth to prosper and for its residents to enjoy the freedom of movement enjoyed by most other cities of our size in the UK. We therefore call on the Prime Minister and the Secretaries of State for Transport and Business Innovation and Skills to take action which would result in Plymouth Airport becoming a national asset providing a reliable and extensive commercial air network for the benefit of local residents and businesses.

We recognise that it is not possible to protect the airport land for ever, but we will use our planning powers to protect the airport from development for as long as legally possible.

We call on all Plymouth politicians inside and outside this Chamber to support this resolution as well as the people of Plymouth and the Herald. We wish to demonstrate to Government the deeply felt concerns of Plymouth residents and the support they feel for Plymouth City Airport and call upon the Herald to organise a campaign to encourage residents, employees and businesses to join me in writing to the Prime Minister to express their support for what I have proposed today.”

The motion was seconded by Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance).

During the debate the issues raised included –

Three questions had been received from members of the public in relation to matters which, in the opinion of the Lord Mayor, were relevant to the business of the meeting, in accordance with paragraph 10 of the Constitution.

Mrs Sharon Privett attended the meeting to ask her question and Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Cooperatives and Communities Development) responded as set out below –

Cabinet Member: Councillor Lowry

The City Council will be asked to consider the Cabinet recommendations. 

Minute 60 (of the Cabinet meeting held on 11 September 2012 refers) and the report of the Corporate Management Team on the Performance and Finance Report.

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) presented the proposed new capital schemes for approval as detailed in Cabinet’s recommendation to Full Council (Cabinet minute 60 referred).

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Parker.

Agreed the new capital schemes over £0.500m for investment as detailed in Table 4 of the Cabinet report amounting to £4.450m in 2012/13 and £4.450m for future years.

Cabinet Member: Councillors Lowry and Peter Smith

The City Council will be asked to consider the Cabinet recommendations. 

Minute 62 (of the Cabinet meeting held on 11 September 2012 refers) and the report of the Director for Place on the Theatre Royal Regeneration Project.

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) presented the proposed new capital scheme relating to the Theatre Royal Regeneration Project report as detailed in Cabinet’s recommendation to Full Council (Cabinet minute 62 referred).

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Peter Smith.

Agreed the inclusion of a new capital scheme up to the value of £1,995,000. The scheme is to be funded from the withholding of Plymouth City Council revenue contributions (approved by Cabinet in minute 62) for a three year period (equating to £1,995,000), making the capital works cost neutral to the Council.

Cabinet Member: Councillors Lowry and Peter Smith

The City Council will be asked to consider the Cabinet recommendations. 

Minute 63 (of the Cabinet meeting held on 11 September 2012 refers) and the report of the Director for Corporate Services on the Investment in Customer Transformation and ICT Core Infrastructure.

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) presented the proposal recommended by Cabinet to amend the capital programme (Cabinet minute 63 referred).

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Peter Smith.

Agreed to amend the capital programme to include an additional £1.5m, making a total spend of £4.5m.

Councillor Evans (Leader) reported that Bob Coomber, Interim Chief Executive, would be leaving the City Council at the end of October and proposed that the Full Council extend their warm thanks and gratitude to Bob Coomber.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Fry.

Agreed that Bob Coomber, Interim Chief Executive, is thanked for the service he has given to Plymouth City Council since his appointment in May 2012.

The City Council will be asked to consider the Cabinet recommendations. 

Minute 65 (of the Cabinet meeting held on 11 September 2012 refers) and the report of the Monitoring Officer on the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

The Assistant Director for Democracy and Governance submitted a written report on The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

Councillor Peter Smith (Deputy Leader) presented Cabinet’s recommendations for approval (Cabinet minute 65 referred).

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Lowry.

Agreed that the Council receives an annual report on the use of the ‘special urgency’ provision under Regulation 11 (where key decisions are taken without prior public notice).

The City Council will be asked to consider the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board recommendations. 

Minute 24 (of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board meeting held on 25 July 2012 refers) and the panel’s terms of reference.

CouncillorMrs Aspinall (Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board) submitted the proposed amendments to the Overview and Scrutiny Panels’ Terms of Reference (Overview and Scrutiny Management Board minute 24 referred) for approval. 

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Tuffin.

Agreed the amendment to the Overview and Scrutiny Panels’ Terms of Reference.

The City Council will be asked to consider the Audit Committee recommendations. 

Minute 10 (of the Audit Committee meeting held on 21 June 2012 refers) and the Annual Report on Treasury Management Activities for 2011/12.

Councillor Wheeler (Chair of the Audit Committee) presented the Annual Report on Treasury Management Activities for 2011/12 (Audit Committee minute 10 referred) and informed members that the report was referred to Council for noting as required by the CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Lowry.

Agreed that the Annual Report on Treasury Management Activities for 2011/12 is noted.

To consider motions from councillors in accordance with Part B, paragraph 14 of the Constitution.

To consider a motion proposed by Councillor Stevens and seconded by Councillor Evans.

Councillor Stevens (Chair of Planning Committee) proposed the following motion on notice –

GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION RE: PLANNING SYSTEM

Plymouth City Council opposes Government proposals to relax parts of the Planning system relating to extensions to residential properties up to 8m.

These changes would remove essential controls on potentially controversial development, remove residents’ right to object, deter homeowners from gaining sensible advice and do nothing to boost economic growth.

Plymouth City Council would prefer the Government to urgently address the issue of un-built housing in Plymouth, with over 6,200 homes waiting to be built.

To this end Council Officers will respond to Government consultation along these lines and request Oliver Colvile MP, Gary Streeter MP and Alison Seabeck MP to voice similar opposition to these divisive plans.

Councillor Evans (Leader) seconded the motion.

During the debate issues raised included that –

Councillor Stevens summed up and the motion was put to the vote and was declared carried.

The Assistant Director for Democracy and Governance will submit a written report on Polling Place, Polling District and Polling Station alterations, following a review, in accordance with the Representation of People Act 1983 and Electoral Administration Act 2006.

The Assistant Director for Democracy and Governance submitted a written report on Polling Place, Polling District and Polling Station alterations, following a review, in accordance with the Representation of People Act 1983 and Electoral Administration Act 2006.

Councillor Peter Smith (Deputy Leader) moved the recommendations in the written report and Councillor Rennie seconded the proposal.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Churchill that referred to recommendation 10 as follows:

‘to have Coltness Road and numbers 131 – 139 Wembury Road transferred from polling district UD to polling district UB, allowing these electors to vote at the Staddiscombe Club. (The Electoral Registration Officer and Electoral Services Manager were consulted and they fully supported this amendment.)’

Councillors Smith and Rennie indicated that they were prepared to accept the amendment and incorporate it into the recommendations.

The Assistant Director for Democracy and Governance informed councillors that –

The recommendations as amended were put to the vote and it was agreed that -

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 -

There were no items of exempt business.