Name

Item

Interest

Reason

Councillor Mrs Beer

Minute 67 – Bedroom Tax and Safe Rooms

Private

Employed in the criminal justice system working with victims of domestic abuse. 

Councillors Darcy and Nicholson

Minute 67– Bedroom Tax and Safe Rooms

Private

Magistrate on the Plymouth Bench and dealing with domestic violence.

Councillor Gordon

Minute 59(1)(a) – appointments to outside bodies

Private

Non-executive director of Red One, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority

Councillor Jordan

Minute 67– Bedroom Tax and Safe Rooms

Private

Director of Routeways

Councillors

S Davey,

Lowry,

Morris,

J Taylor,

K Taylor and

Williams. 

Minute 68 – Energy Market

Private

Member of Plymouth Energy Community

Councillor Penberthy 

Minute 68 – Energy Market

Private

Member of Plymouth Energy Community

and company secretary.

Councillor Stevens

Minute 67 - Bedroom Tax and Safe Rooms

Private

Employed by Devon and Cornwall Police

(1)

 Agreed the following appointments - 

  Committees and Other  Bodies

Appointments 2013/14

(a)

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority

Councillor Mrs Bowyer to replace Councillor Darcy

(b)

Plymouth Charity Trust

Councillor Damarell to replace Councillor Penberthy

(c)

Admission Forum

Councillor Mrs Bowyerto replace Councillor Monahan

(d)

LEP Community Interest Company

(to replace current LEP Board)

Nominated director: Councillor Evans

Alternate director: Tracey Lee (Chief Executive) 

(e)

Local Government Association General Assembly

Councillor Peter Smith to be appointed as a substitute member for Councillor Evans 

(2)

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

  Committee / Outside Body

Membership

(f)

Co-operative Scrutiny Board

Councillor Darcy to replace Councillor Ball

(g)

Ambitious Plymouth Overview and Scrutiny Panel

Councillor Mrs Beer (Vice Chair) to replace Councillor Monahan

(h)

Caring Plymouth Overview and Scrutiny Panel

Councillor Ricketts to replace Councillor Michael Leaves

Councillor Mrs Foster to replace Councillor Mrs Beer

(i)

Working Plymouth Overview and Scrutiny Panel

Councillor Martin Leaves to replace Councillor Ball

Councillor Darcy to replace Councillor Ball as Vice Chair 

(j)

Your Plymouth Overview and Scrutiny Panel

Councillor Sam Leaves (Vice Chair) to replace Councillor Bowyer

(k)

Taxi Licensing Committee

Councillor Jarvis to replace Councillor Singh

(a)

referred to the recent death of former councillor Mrs Peggy Radmore who represented the Plympton St Mary Ward between 1973 and 1987, initially as a member of the Conservative Group and later as an Independent Conservative. 

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

(b)

referred to the 100^th anniversary of the launch of the battleship Warspite on 26th November 2013 which was launched from Devonport Dockyard on 26 November 1913.

To mark the anniversary, the Royal Navy was staging a celebration of the launch of the vessel at Number 3 Slipway at exactly the same time of day, 100 years ago, when Warspite was launched.   

(c)

congratulated the 39 finalists in the recent Pride of Plymouth awards which included carers, teachers, good neighbours, members of the emergency services, armed forces, and youngsters, for their commitment and achievements, often in very difficult circumstances.

The Lord Mayor presented the overall Pride of Plymouth award to foster parents Pam and Glynn Dale for their dedication to helping vulnerable children in the city;

(d)

announced that this year, the city had been a National Finalist for the Apprentice Team Brathay Challenge, received the National Apprenticeships Service South West Large Employer award and had now been included on the coveted Apprenticeships Top 100 National Employers List in the National Apprenticeship Awards, in recognition of the commitment the City Council had shown in providing apprenticeships to the highest of standards. 

The Lord Mayor presented the National Apprenticeships Service South West Large Employer award to Ken Holder (Apprentice Co-ordinator) and thanked the apprentices for their hard work who were represented at the meeting by Chris Olding, Tom Orchard,  Katy Pope, Richard Powel, Ricky Souch and Natalie Town;

(e)

announced that in addition to the recent awards of the ‘Good Egg’ Award for using only organic eggs and the Gold standard from the Soil Association for fresh, seasonal menus using local suppliers,   Plymouth City Council’s Education Catering Service been awarded Local Authority Caterer of the Year for its locally sourced, quality ingredients and seasonal menus at the EDUcatering Excellence Awards 2013.

The team was also currently working on the implementation of the new national School Food Plan and Brad Pearce, Education Catering Manager, was also blogging a School Food Plan storyteller and would be part of the Plan’s Small Schools’ Taskforce, that would help small schools overcome their particular logistical difficulties.

The Lord Mayor presented the Local Authority Caterer of the Year award to Brad Pearce (Education Catering Manager), Grace Hughes (Operational Development Manager) and Anne Marie Sowden (Skills and Development Manager).

(f)

wished Councillor Bowyer well in his new position of Leader of the Opposition; .

(g)

announced that the process had begun to review whether Plymouth would continue to have Assisted Area Status from the summer of 2014. The government was consulting with Local Enterprise Partnerships on the future UK geographical coverage of assisted areas and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

Question No

Question By

Cabinet Member

Subject

Q12/13-14

Mr John Williams

Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Community Development)

Evictions for rent arrears

The Labour Leader of Renfrewshire Council has pledged that no tenant of his Authority will be evicted for rent arrears directly arising from the Under Occupancy Penalty, provided the Authority is apprised of the full circumstances.  Why does this Authority not request Plymouth Community Homes to adopt a similar policy? 

Response:

We have asked them and Plymouth Community Homes has said, like all other Housing Associations in Plymouth, that they will not commit to such a policy for a number of reasons including:

·         Such a policy would be impractical – wider welfare reforms make it hard to tell whether applicants have fallen into arrears as a result of the bedroom tax or because of other reasons (this is substantiated by data provided by Plymouth Community Homes that indicates that where under-occupiers are in rent arrears at this time, 90% were already in arrears prior to the bedroom tax being introduced).

·         That it would be unfair to other tenants to introduce a ‘no eviction’ policy for under-occupiers, when other tenants who fall into arrears will continue to have eviction action taken against them.

·         It gives the wrong message - tenants perceptions of a ‘no eviction’ policy may result in them not prioritising rent payments where they would otherwise have made them, because they’re aware that no action will be taken against them.

·         The impact of reduced income for Housing Associations could result in them being unable to secure new funding to build new homes (a Council priority) and at worst could result in instability for the organisation that would be unsustainable in the longer term.

PCC is not a landlord and can’t instruct housing associations like PCH to follow any particular course of action.  This does not mean that Housing Associations are not strongly committed to working in partnership with the City Council to mitigate the significant problems that the bedroom tax and other welfare reforms are causing the citizens of Plymouth, and to prevent evictions wherever possible. 

A number of them – including Plymouth Community Homes - have employed dedicated staff to support tenants to downsize and help them to develop budgeting skills as well as access the available hardship funds.

This positive work is underpinned by initiatives introduced by Plymouth City Council that include:-

·         Use of the Discretionary Housing Payments scheme to enable tenants in difficulty to meet rent payments when housing benefit has been reduced due to under-occupation.

·         Easy and local access to welfare rights advisors, debt advice and budgeting skills workshops which has so far helped local people claim  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

(1)

retain the existing level of the Basic Allowance and Special Responsibility Allowances subject to annual increase in line with the percentage increase of the local government pay award;

(2)

retain the existing level of allowances for the Lord Mayor and the Deputy Lord Mayor and include the allowances within the Members’ Allowance Scheme, subject to annual increase in line with the percentage increase of the local government pay award;

(3)

retain the existing travelling and subsistence arrangements and amend in line with any changes negotiated to the ‘Plymouth Book’;

(4)

retain all other arrangements (see the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel).

(1)

an increase to the Council’s Capital Transformation budget 2013/14 of £0.627m to enable the Civic Centre decant;

(2)

the inclusion of the Plan for Homes within the Capital Programme from 2014/2015 until 2019/2020 with an allocation of up to £50 million (subject to due diligence) in support of the affordable housing loan facility to the Plymouth Housing Partnership.

‘ThisCouncil notes that:

·          

We are not building enough homes inEngland tomeet housing needs,with most commentatorsidentifying the levelof needat around 265,000 homes per annum.

·          

Rising house pricesmean thedream of homeownershipisbeyond the reach ofmillions and the sizeof amortgage deposit alone stops many would-befirst-time buyersfrom gettingon the housingladder.

·          

One in 12families inEngland isnow on asocial housingwaiting list.

·          

The average house pricein Plymouth in20 12was £159,281 making thestandard 20% mortgage deposit £31,856.

·          

Evidence from  the 2013Strategic  HousingMarket  NeedsAssessmentindicatesthe  median annual  earningsto  be£23,600 withalmost40% ofhouseholdsearning  below£20,000, meaning  that  £29,829(with a 10% deposit)is requiredto purchasea lower  quartile  house of £I16,000or toafford theaverage  marketrent fora two  bed property.

·          

A lower quartile housecosts6.3 times the incomeof ahouseholdearninga lower quartile salary.

·          

80% offuturehousingneeds arefor one and two bedroomsaffordablehomes.

·          

Customers seeking housingadvice haveincreased by 41% andthe total housing waitinglist standsat 10,100 - all signs ofthe housing marketbeing under severe stress.

·          

The Government have provided assistancewith mortgage deposits.

ThisCouncil believes that:

·          

The solution tothe housing shortage is to buildmore of the righthomes, inthe rightplace, at the right price.

·          

Public oppositionis one  of the  main barriersto increasinghousing supplyand alltoo  often the  people  whoactuallyneed  homes  are  missing from  localdebates.

·          

Plymouth  CityCouncil  needsto  takean activerole in  makingthe  casefor  buildingmore homeslocally, through  both the  Plymouth  Plan consultationsand the  neighbourhood planningprocess.

This Council resolves to:

(1)

Support the  Yesto Homes  campaign, and commits  to increasing  thedelivery ofthe right homes,  in the  right place,at the  right pricein the  Plymouth  housingmarket  area.

(2)

Work withYes to Homes supporters,localgroups, and organisationsto activelymake the casefor new homesand explainthe benefits ofnew homes forthe whole community.

(3)

Invite the Plymouth  HousingDevelopment Partnershipto  holdspecial hearingson housing to helplocal people,communitygroups  andbusinesses  togive evidence  on        the need for more homes,  includinginvestigating the  reasons why people  object  to  new homes, and report thesefindings tothe  WorkingPlymouth ScrutinyPanel.

(4)

Informlocal people,  localMembers  ofParliament, One  Plymouth,the  Plymouth GrowthBoard ,the  Heartof the South West Local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

‘Notwithstanding the City Council’s Core Strategy published in 2007, the Council acknowledges the Planning Inspector’s findings following the recent public inquiry into the Derriford and Seaton Area Action Plan.

This Council recognises the current uncertainty felt by residents living in the north of our City over potential developments in their communities and in particular the future of the Plymouth Airport site.

The Council resolves to ask the Cabinet to bring forward the publication of the Plymouth Plan to March 2014 in order to give the citizens of Plymouth a further opportunity to be consulted on the Council’s preferred options for the growth of their City and to provide greater certainty on the potential funding for vital infrastructure works in the north of Plymouth.’ 

‘Notwithstanding the City Council’s Core Strategy published in 2007, the Council acknowledges the Planning Inspector’s findings following the recent public inquiry into the Derriford and Seaton Area Action Plan.

The Council resolves to ask the Cabinet to review the implications of the Inspector’s decision for the Plymouth Plan, including the timings of further consultation to allow all communities in Plymouth to have their say.’

(a)

investment and regeneration was taking place in the north of the city for example at Seaton;

(b)

the core strategy currently protected Plymouth Airport and that the Plymouth Plan would protect the future of the airport;

(c)

the judgement on the area action plan had been made because the Council could not evidence future funding for the construction of a road;

(d)

the City Council had not had an opportunity to debate the issue following the findings of the Planning Inspector;

‘Following the Council’s recent approvals of out of town retail developments, despite areas of our City Centre containing empty and run down retail premises, this Council reaffirms its support for retaining the City Centre as the retail heart of Plymouth.

The Council calls upon the Cabinet to drive the redevelopment of Colin Campbell Court and the West End, in consultation with the local community and deliver investment in this vital sector of our local economy.’

‘One in four women have been the victim of domestic abuse, it accounts for 17% of all crime, two women a week are killed by a partner or former partner and the findings of a number of case reviews into deaths of children in Plymouth have identified domestic abuse as a significant factor.

Women facing some of the worst domestic abuse benefit from the installation of a number of sanctuary scheme measures; which may include the provision of a ‘safe room’; where they and their children can go safely if threatened, which is directly linked to the police.

The government’s bedroom tax however considers these vital safe rooms as a spare room, reducing the amount of housing benefit that can be claimed and putting women in jeopardy of eviction due to non-payment of rent. Evicting women and their children who have been victims of domestic abuse means that not only are they losing their home, they are being penalised for being a victim of domestic abuse, and risk becoming more vulnerable to repeat abuse.

Council notes that Women's Aid and other domestic abuse charities are calling on councils to take action to overcome this issue.

Council resolves to -

(1)

Lobby the government to exempt safe rooms from inclusion as bedrooms for the purposes of the bedroom tax;

(2)

Make Discretionary Housing Payments available in Plymouth to cover reductions in housing benefit applied under the bedroom tax for safe rooms, subject to periodic review.’ 

‘To add:

(a)

the aim of the original motion was to exempt safe rooms from bedroom tax;

(b)

the Council worked in partnership with housing associations; 

(c)

housing associations funded installations of safe rooms in their properties and the council should be working with partners to identify those rooms which qualified for discretionary payments; 

(d)

housing associations were not responsible for hastening moves and that there was a process for victims to ensure that the right action was taken depending on their wishes.

‘Council notes that Women's Aid and other domestic abuse charities are calling on councils  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

‘Plymouth City Council believes Britain’s energy market isn’t working for ordinary families and businesses in Plymouth and the cost of electricity and gas is crippling family finances. We regret that energy bills have risen by almost £300 for families since 2010 with businesses saying it’s the second biggest cost they face, and are concerned that when the price of energy increases energy companies pass this on, but when it drops consumers don’t see bills go down.

We note recent research by Which? estimating that market flaws have left consumers paying £3.9bn a year over the odds since 2010 and opposes the unfair price rises recently announced by the big energy companies including a 10.4% increase in Npower’s dual-fuel bills from December, SSE increasing prices by 8.2% from 15th November, British Gas increasing prices by 9.2% on 23rd November and Scottish Power raising prices by 8.6% from 6th December. We believe these increases represent a rip-off for Plymothians and that the Conservative led Government is defending the big energy companies and not standing up for ordinary consumers.

It's for these reasons that Plymouth Energy was established, making energy more affordable for people across Plymouth.

We therefore welcome Ed Miliband’s commitment to freeze energy bills for twenty months until 2017 upon the election of a Labour Government and congratulate Alison Seabeck MP for voting for this freeze on 6 November whilst Oliver Colvile MP and Gary Streeter MP voted against it.’

(a)

consumers had been let down by the regulator which should be abolished and replaced with a tougher structure;  

(b)

the next Labour Government had made a commitment to introduce a 20 month price freeze;

(c)

councillors’ case work demonstrated that energy prices were having a real impact on residents and Plymouth Energy Community had been established to assist them;

(d)

the Council could assist residents by freezing or reducing Council tax;

(e)

people could switch providers but that there was not now enough competition in the market as providers had been reduced from 14 to 6 under the Labour Government and eco deals had been added to bills;

(f)

there was currently no tariff structure;

(g)

a freeze in Council tax would save an average household 38p per week where an energy price freeze for 20 months would save an   average family £230.

‘It is acknowledged that:

?

Smoking is the single greatest cause of premature death and disease in our communities;

?

Reducing smoking in our communities significantly increases household incomes and benefits the local economy;

?

Reducing smoking amongst the most disadvantaged in our communities is the single most important means of reducing  health inequalities;

?

Smoking is an addiction largely taken up by children and young people, two thirds of smokers start before the age of 18;

?

Smoking is an epidemic created and sustained by the tobacco industry, which promotes uptake of smoking to replace the 80,000 people its products kill in England every year; and

?

The illicit trade in tobacco funds the activities of organised criminal gangs and gives children access to cheap tobacco.

As local leaders in public health we welcome the:

?

Opportunity for local government to lead local action to tackle smoking and secure the health, welfare, social, economic and environmental benefits that come from reducing smoking prevalence;

It is therefore recommended that the Council commits itself to:

?

Act at a local level to reduce smoking prevalence and health inequalities and to raise the profile of the harm caused by smoking to our communities;

?

Develop plans with our partners and local communities to address the causes and impacts of tobacco use;

?

Participate in local and regional networks for support;

?

Support the government in taking action at national level to help local authorities reduce smoking prevalence and health inequalities in our communities;

?

Protect our tobacco control work from the commercial and vested interests of the tobacco industry by not accepting any partnerships, payments, gifts and services, monetary or in kind or research funding offered by the tobacco industry to officials or employees exceptasmentioned in AnnexA soasto enablethe authorityto pursueits enforcementroleconcerningillicitor unsafe tobacco;

?

Monitor the progress of our plans against our commitments and publish the results; and

?

Publicly declare our commitment to reducing smoking in our communities by joining the Smokefree Action Coalition, the alliance of organisations working to reduce the harm caused by tobacco.

And invites all the City’s Members of Parliament to sign this declaration too.

AnnexA

Toenablethe authoritytopursueits enforcementroleconcerningillicit orunsafetobaccothe followinginteractionwill takeplacebetween it andthe TobaccoIndustry:

?

Receiptof training  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

From

To

Subject

1

Councillor K Foster

Councillor Coker

Would parking charges be introduced at Jennycliff and Devil’s Point car park?  Would temporary or permanent repairs be undertaken at the car parks in next 12 months?

Councillor Coker responded that he had not yet set the budget. With regard to repairs, all car parks were being reviewed and the appropriate course of action would be taken.

2

Councillor Morris

Councillor Coker

What was the level of government grant for pot holes, how had it changed to 2015 and how did Oliver Colvile MP vote on the funding?

Councillor Coker responded that from 2011 to 2014/15, the budget had decreased by 16.5 per cent for maintenance to the highway. When the Comprehensive Spending Review was considered, Oliver Colvile MP had supported the cuts in funding.  The Labour administration had committed to £2m per year for the next 10 years.

3

Councillor Evans

Councillor Stevens

When the North Plymstock Area Action Plan was adopted on 6 August 2007, was a Labour or Conservative Council in charge? When the application for north Plymstock was reported to the Planning Committee in 2011 and outline planning permission was granted (with inadequate infrastructure), was it chaired by him or a Conservative chair?

Councillor Stevens responded that there was a Conservative Council in 2007 and in 2011, the chair was former councillor John Lock, Liberal Democrat.

4

Councillor Bowyer

Councillor Evans

With the increasing lack of morality in the co-operative bank, when was the council going to review the use of the word ‘co-operative’? 

Following reference by Councillor Evans to a former councillor in Bradford, the Lord Mayor ruled that the line of questioning should not be continued.

5

Councillor  Jordan

Councillor Coker

Following his delegated decision not to take any action on a taxi rank in Cornwall Street, should the matter be referred to scrutiny for consideration?

Councillor Coker responded that following consultation, objections had been received from the police and highways on safety grounds and that he did not have the authority to overrule those objections.  If the matter was taken to scrutiny, councillors would review it but officers were currently reviewing capacity in the city centre.

6

Councillor Mrs Beer

Councillor Williams

How many hours of education did this Council provide to those excluded from school and what was the reason for those exclusions?

Councillor Williams undertook to provide a written response.

7

Councillor Singh

Councillor Peter Smith

Was it noted in minutes of meetings when councillors left early and if not, should it be?

Councillor Peter Smith responded that it was not noted at present and that he would investigate it and undertook to provide a written response.

8

Councillor Darcy

Councillor Evans

Would you as Leader ask party members to refrain from smoking outside the building?

Councillor Evans responded that he would ask them to move out of plain sight.

9

Councillor Nicholson

Councillor Stevens

Now that Sherford planning permission had been issued, what was the timescale for the provision of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

‘Following the Council’s recent approvals of out of town retail developments, despite areas of our City Centre containing empty and run down retail premises, this Council reaffirms its support for retaining the City Centre as the retail heart of Plymouth.

The Council calls upon the Cabinet to drive the redevelopment of Colin Campbell Court and the West End, in consultation with the local community and deliver investment in this vital sector of our local economy.’

‘Recognising the change in shopping habits with the internet and following the Council’s recent approvals of out of town retail developments, despite areas of our City Centre containing empty and run down retail premises, this Council reaffirms its support for retaining the City Centre as the retail heart of Plymouth.

The Council calls upon the Cabinet to work with private and public sector landowners to drive the redevelopment of strategic sites including Colin Campbell Court, Bretonside, Civic Centre and the West End, in consultation with the local community and City Centre company to deliver the scale of transformational change andinvestment in this vital sector of our local economy.’