Name

Item

Interest

Reason

Councillor Mrs Aspinall

Minute  35 – Opposition to the process of privatisation taking place within the Royal Mail

Private

Her daughter and daughter’s partner   are employees of the Royal Mail.

Councillor Mrs Aspinall

Minute 36 – Happy birthday NHS

Private

She has a NHS pension.

CouncillorDamerall

Minute 24 - Appointment to committees, outside bodies etc

Disclosable pecuniary interest

Employee of Plymouth Community Homes.

Councillor Gordon

Minute 32 – Fire cover in Plymouth

Private

He is vice-chair of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority.

Councillor Jordan

Minute  35 – Opposition to the process of privatisation taking place within the Royal Mail

Disclosable pecuniary interest

His wife is employed by the Royal Mail and he is a member of the Communication Workers’ Union.

Councillor Sam Leaves

Minute 35  – Opposition to the process of privatisation taking place within the Royal Mail

Disclosable pecuniary interest

Her husband has a  Royal Mail pension.

Councillor Sam Leaves

Minute 36 – Happy birthday NHS

Private

She is a NHS employee.

Councillor Dr Mahony

Minute 36 – Happy birthday NHS

Private

He has a NHS pension.

Councillor McDonald

Minute 36 – Happy birthday NHS

Private

She has a NHS pension.

Councillor John Smith

Minute 32 – Fire cover in Plymouth

Private

He is a member of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority.

Councillor Jon Taylor

Minute 36 – Happy birthday NHS

Private

He is a NHS employee.

Councillor Wheeler

Minute 30 – Neighbourhood Planning: Neighbourhood Forums and Areas

Private

He is a member of a local group in Barne Barton referred to in the report.

(a)

that the election of Councillor Morris to the City Council, following a by-election at the Southway Ward, had had very little impact on the political balance of committees, which would remain the same;  

(b)

the following changes notified to the Assistant Director for Law, Democracy and Governance –

  Committee etc

Membership

Licensing Committee

Councillor Morris to replace Councillor Mrs Nelder

Working Plymouth Overview and Scrutiny Panel

Councillor Morris to replace Councillor Fox

Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee

Councillor Wright to replace Councillor Mrs Nelder

  Committees and Other  Bodies

Membership

Appointments 2013/14

(a)

Plymouth Community Homes

Two vacancies arising from resignations of former Councillor Browne and Councillor Williams

Cllr Monahan

Cllr Morris

(b)

Plymouth Energy Community Limited

One councillor vacancy

Cllr Penberthy

(a)

welcomed Councillor Morris to this his first meeting of the City Council since his election as a representative of the Southway Ward;

(b)

congratulated the Democratic Support Services Team on their achievement in reaching the finals of the MJ Award for Excellence in Democratic Services. 

(a)

the length of time to complete legal care proceedings in Plymouth had been reduced from 56 to 26 weeks and the council had moved to second place in performance tables for England and Wales;

(b)

the council had been successful in bidding for funds from the Department for Education for three primary schools: Widewell Primary; Woodford Primary and Holy Cross Primary Schools and for a new school in Derriford.

Question No

Question By

Cabinet Member

Subject

Q3/13-14

Mr Williams

Councillor Lowry  (Cabinet Member for Finance)

Code of Conduct for Bailiffs

Does the authority have an extant code of conduct for its bailiffs?  If so, will this be published in a leaflet to the general public, as it did in the days of the Community Charge?  If not, will it devise such a code of conduct? 

Response:

As part of the bailiff contract process there is a specification document which details the code of conduct, or operational guidelines that we expect our provider to adhere to. 

This will not be published in a leaflet to the general public but it is intended to publish the details on the Council’s website in due course.

Some of the detail contained within the contract is:

Bailiffs will

• carry full and proper photographic identification;
• adopt a firm but polite attitude;
• introduce himself or herself,  establish the identity of persons present and explain the purpose of the visit and powers of the Bailiff;
• Not make any attempt to levy or remove goods without first consulting with Plymouth City Council where it is evident that a person is mentally impaired, frail, disabled, confused, ill, or living off limited income;
• not enter premises if it appears that the only persons present are young people under the age of 18;
• seek guidance from the Council before continuing action where English is not understood;
• only enter by lawful means;
• provide the required copies of the relevant rating regulation as appropriate where distraint takes place;
• Exercise due care to avoid any unnecessary damage to goods being removed.

Question No

Question By

Cabinet Member

Subject

Q4 13/14

Mr Sharpe

Councillor Smith (Deputy Leader)

Plymstock swimming pool

Please can Plymstock Residents have an update regarding a public swimming pool in Plymstock, and can also a consultation day be arranged on the subject as we appear to be no nearer having one than twenty years ago?

Response:

There is no update on the situation with Plymstock Pool other than previously advised in previous answers concerning Sherford. As stated in earlier replies, consultation on Sherford has occurred on several occasions and therefore a consultation day is not necessary.

The local planning policy document for this area clearly sets out the need for Sherford to provide a Sports Hub north of Elburton incorporating a swimming pool and, as advised previously, the policy document was the subject of extensive public consultations in 2006. Also, as advised previously, the Planning Committee’s decision on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

‘to adopt the principles of the Living Wage and its implementation.’

‘Council believes that the proposals by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority to cut fire cover in the city are unacceptable.  The suggestion by Councillor Healey that Plymouth taxpayers pay twice to maintain current levels of service must be resisted.’ 

(a)

the decision was made by the fire and rescue authority despite strong evidence and alternatives put forward by the council; 

(b)

the plans did not take account of plans for growth or vulnerable citizens;   

(c) 

there would be longer response times to domestic and major incidents;

(d)

there had not been a meaningful consultation process;

(e)

the plan had been reviewed by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board and concerns had been conveyed to the fire and rescue authority;

(f)

the response by Councillor Mark Healey (Chair of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority) was not acceptable and it was noted that he had not attended any of the consultation events in the city;

(g)

the council was willing to work with the fire and rescue authority to achieve mutually acceptable arrangements;

(h)

the fire and rescue authority had made no attempt to remodel itself; 

(i)

the fire and rescue authority would be considering a proposal on 4 September 2013 to establish an integrated planning group for the proposals relating to Plymouth.   

(j)

the government had reintroduced a fund for authorities to bid for to reduce the planned cut from 10 per cent to 7.5 per cent.

‘Council believes Plymouth should be on the UK Strategic Transport Corridor and will campaign to this end.’

(a)

the city was not on the UK Strategic Transport Corridor even though the city had a university, naval base and was a strategic port with cross channel ferries;  

(b)

if the city was part of the network, there would be greater opportunities to improve rail and road connectivity and a higher priority given in the allocation of the scarce local transport monies;   

(c) 

it was vital for growth, business confidence, jobs and tourism. 

‘The Council is extremely concerned about the recurrence of odour issues at the Camels Head Waste Water Treatment Works.

We welcome the repairs to the screening system that commenced last week and the planned for investment of £4M to replace the old tanks with modern ones in 2015 and urge SWW to ensure that this investment is made at the very start of their 2015 -20 investment programme. 

Council officers will work with SWW to deliver these improvements but as a city council we will be prepared to use our legal powers to resolve any odour issues affecting the local community both now and until a permanent modern solution is provided.’

(a)

whilst the planned investment was welcomed, the delay in implementation remained a concern and South West Water was urged to bring the scheme forward;    

(b)

 shareholders should write and express their concerns;  

(c)

residents in Turnchapel, experienced similar problems. Copies of any correspondence between Councillor Michael Leaves as a former Cabinet Member and South West Water were requested by the Council Leader;

(d)

the council should investigate what action could be taken against the smell as a statutory nuisance.  

‘Plymouth City Council wishes to place on record its opposition to the process of privatisation taking place within the Royal Mail and the threat to the ‘six day, one price goes anywhere’ delivery. These proposals will lead to higher prices and a worse service for Plymouth residents.

Unjustified closures of Post Offices will have a detrimental impact on the local economy and result in the loss of true community facilities.

Council officers will convey these views to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills seeking assurances that services in Plymouth will be protected and request Plymouth's Members of Parliament to oppose the sell-off of Royal Mail.’

(a)

the removal of freepost for the armed forces;

(b)

the perceived benefits of exposing the service to competition;   

(c)

that Royal Mail was a profitable service; 

(d) 

the removal of the control on prices.

‘This council wishes to offer its congratulations to the NHS on celebrating its 65^th birthday.’ 

‘This council wishes to offer its congratulations to the NHS on celebrating its 65^th birthday and agrees a vote of no confidence in the Secretary of State for Health, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP.’     

‘and as long as the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP is Secretary of State for Health we are fearful it won’t celebrate any more.’  

(a)

that openness and transparency were essential but that a dedicated helpline for whistle blowers had been scrapped;

(b)

the recent announcements of failing trusts; 

(c)

the need for change and modernisation in the NHS;

(d)

there was a need to guard against those wishing to dismantle the service;

(e)

the need to address health inequalities.

‘Council notes that:

?

Local government has seen massive real term cuts in central grant funding under the Coalition over the last few years. The June 2013 Comprehensive Spending Review places further extreme pressure on public sector budgets for the foreseeable future;

?

Many of these cuts have had a direct detrimental impact on the city’s most vulnerable and needy residents. For example, the introduction of a local Council Tax Support Scheme, with less funding, providing less benefit to those people who are struggling to pay their daily living expenses;

?

There are better, and fairer, ways of generating central government revenue that will ease the need to squeeze local government to the point of crippling front line services and vital support to our citizens;

?

Extending the current Financial Transaction Tax, (FTT), on shares to other asset classes such as bonds and derivatives could raise £20bn of additional revenue in the UK a year;

?

At least 11 European nations including France, Germany, Italy and Spain are moving ahead with FTTs on shares, bonds and derivatives estimated to raise £30bn a year.

Council believes that:

?

Revenues from the FTT could help repair the damage caused by cuts in public services since 2010 and that;

?

Local government deserves to receive a significant proportion of FTT revenues, making an important contribution to both capital and revenue expenditure such as reversing cuts to council tax benefits;

Council motion:

This council notes the suffering forced upon local residents as a result of this Coalition government’s cuts programme and asserts that there is an alternative to its ideologically driven attack on public services – namely the levy of a financial transaction tax on the speculative activities that have accelerated the recent enrichment of the few to the detriment of the many. The council therefore calls upon Government to enact the FTT and use the revenues from this measure to reverse on-going shrinkage in central grants to our council and instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor to this effect.’

(a)

that an agreed international approach was required, so that there was not a negative impact on those countries proceeding individually; 

(b)

that in France, the expectations on yield had not been met and pension funds would be seriously affected; 

(c)

a scheme could be designed so that payment of the tax was difficult to avoid and automated systems would make it easy to collect.

From

To

Subject

1

Councillor Ball

Councillor Coker

Parking at Devil’s Point was difficult as spaces were being used by workers at Royal William Yard and Cllr Coker was asked what action was being taken.

Councillor Coker responded that officers were working with the Royal William Yard and he was hoping to sign off a proposal in the next month. 

2

Councillor Stark

Councillor Evans

He congratulated Councillor Evans on the success of the recent city of culture open day and proposed that the city should be an English City of Culture as an independent venture.

Councillor Evans responded that he had not heard the term but that the city had a successful track record in new ventures.

3

Councillor Bowyer

Councillor Lowry

An assurance was sought that future tenders would reflect the living wage principle and Cllr Lowry was asked when the decision would be effective from. 

Councillor Lowry responded that in principle yes, tenders would reflect that the council would pay a living wage and they would work with partners.  Officers were also looking at how it could be applied to commercial tenders.   The decision would be effective from the date of the meeting for City Council employees and a paper would be submitted on procurement arrangements. 

4

Councillor Drean

Councillor Coker

Was the council receiving revenues for lorries and other vehicles parking overnight at Bretonside Bus Station?

Councillor Coker responded that some revenue was being received but that there were concerns about vehicles arriving after staff left and leaving early in the morning.  Officers were looking at ways and costs of addressing the issue.

5

Councillor Ball

Councillor Coker

An assurance was sought that the council would not cut school crossing patrols.

Councillor  Coker responded that there had been no changes since 2009 and although it was not a statutory requirement, the council would continue to support them.

6

Councillor Stark

Councillor Vincent

How many public clocks were his department responsible for? In particular he referred to Derry’s Clock where minute hands were missing.

A written response would be provided on the number of clocks and Councillor Vincent responded that Derry’s Clock was currently being refurbished.

7

Councillor James

Councillor McDonald

Were there any protocols in place between agencies to deal with people with mental health disorders?

Councillor McDonald responded that changes had taken place and in terms of care, the Glenbourne Unit had made some beds available. At present there was not a great deal of information being shared between agencies but in future and as part of commissioning, the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment would expect information sharing, including protocols. Any further information would be sent to Councillor James.

8

Councillor Stark

Councillor Williams

The Fostering and Adoption Panels required two rooms for their meetings and an assurance was sought that these would be made available.  Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.