Agenda and minutes

City Council - Monday 15 September 2014 2.00 pm

Venue: Council House (Next to the Civic Centre), Plymouth

Contact: Nicola Kirby  Email: nicola.kirby@plymouth.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

24.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 59 KB

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the special meeting and ordinary meeting of the City Council held on 30 June 2014.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Agreed  -

 

(1)

the minutes of the special meeting which took place at on 30 June 2014;

 

(2)

the minutes of the ordinary meeting which took place on 30 June 2014 subject to the second sentence in minute 21, the response to question 13 being amended to, ‘No, the campaign for a Mayor was a waste of money’.  

 

25.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST pdf icon PDF 33 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The following declaration of interest was made by a councillor in accordance with the code of conduct in respect of items under consideration at the meeting -

 

Name

Minute Number

Reason

Interest

Councillor Drean

32

Family member employee of Brittany Ferries

Disclosable Pecuniary

 

26.

APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES, OUTSIDE BODIES ETC

The Assistant Chief Executive will submit a schedule of vacancies on committees, outside bodies etc and of changes notified to us.  

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no appointments to be noted.

27.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

(a)        To receive announcements from the Lord Mayor, Chief Executive, Assistant Director for Finance or Head of Legal Services;

 

(b)        To receive announcements from the Leader, Cabinet Members or Committee Chairs.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor -

 

(a)

Alderman and Former Deputy Lord Mayor Mrs Hazel Dolley

 

 

referred to the recent death of Alderman and former Deputy Lord Mayor, Mrs Hazel Dolley on 25 August 2014 at the age of 92 and the Council stood in silence as a mark of respect;

 

(b)

Former Councillor Janice Harden (subsequently Horler)

 

 

referred to the recent death of former Councillor Janice Harden (subsequently Horler) on 25 June 2014 and the Council stood in silence as a mark of respect;

 

(c)

Battle of Britain

 

 

reported that he had attended the annual Battle of Britain memorial service held at St Andrews Church which had been organised by the RAF Association and that the service was very moving;

 

(d)

November Council meeting at Devonport Guildhall

 

 

advised that with the agreement of the group leaders, the next meeting of the Council would take place at Devonport Guildhall to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the amalgamation of the three towns of Devonport, East Stonehouse and Plymouth;

 

(e)

Social Enterprise Awards 2014

 

 

announced that Plymouth Community Renewables had been shortlisted as an investee (with Ethex as investor) for the Investment Deal of the Year.  The winners would be announced at an awards ceremony on 26 November 2014;

 

(f)

UK Community Energy Awards

 

 

announced that Plymouth Community Energy Community were finalists in three categories of UK Community Energy Awards.  He congratulated Barbara Hampson, a Board Member of Plymouth Energy Community and Plymouth Energy Community Renewables who won the volunteer of the year category;

 

(g)

Customer Service Excellence Award and Community Initiative Award 2014

 

 

presented two awards to Customer Services. The first award was to confirm the re-accreditation of team with the Customer Service Excellence Award. The second award, given by the South West Contact Centre Forum, was for the best ‘Community Initiative award for 2014;

 

(h)

Anthony Jinman

 

 

received a framed picture from Anthony Jinman in celebration of his reaching the South Pole earlier in the year;

 

(i)

Devonport Field Gun Association Limited

 

 

received a framed pictured from the Devonport Field Gun Association Limited called ‘the Last Run’ which depicted the 100 years’ history of the Royal Navy Command Field Gun competition.  The Picture was presented by Commander Critchton, David Dace and Michael Cheetham.

 

The Leader -

 

(j)

Child Sexual Exploitation

 

 

advised that in light of the terrible case of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham and the Jay report he would make a statement as the report impacted on everyone who had a responsibility for protecting children. He confirmed that in Plymouth the Council worked cross party and put political differences aside when it came to child sexual exploitation and that all lead agencies viewed child sexual exploitation with the utmost concern. Following the serious case review in Rotherham, the Plymouth Safeguarding Children Board established a multi-agency working group and action plan in 2012.  Last year a multi-disciplinary team was established for the early identification of children at risk of sexual exploitation.  The Board also delivered specific  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

28.

QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC pdf icon PDF 26 KB

To receive questions from and provide answers to the public in relation to matters which are about something the council is responsible for or something that directly affects people in the city, in accordance with Part B, paragraph 11 of the Constitution.

 

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Four question were submitted by members of the public for this meeting, in accordance with part B, paragraph 11 of the constitution.

 

Mr Williams attended the meeting, asked his question and received a response.  All other answers to questions put forward would be sent to the questioners after the meeting.

 

Question No

Question By

Cabinet Member

Subject

Q5/

14-15

Mr K Kelway

Councillor P Smith, Deputy Leader

Tinside Lido

Since the iconic Tinside Lido is featured on a British postage stamp and marketing the city across the globe – does Councillor Peter Smith think the City wasted £3.2 million in getting the famous Grade 2 listed landmark restored?

Response:

 

No.

 

Question No

Question By

Cabinet Member

Subject

Q6/

14-15

Mr R Morris

Councillor Evans, Leader

Social Media

Given the elected Members corporate parenthood role and  the Council's duties and responsibilities in terms of  openness and transparency, does the Leader require of  himself, and of his colleagues, the utmost probity in the  use of social media at all times and in all places?

Response:

 

Plymouth City Council has adopted a Code of Conduct which sets out the conduct expected of elected Members and co-opted Members of the Council.

The Code is intended to be consistent with Lord Nolan’s seven principles of public life, namely that Councillors will act with selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

 

The Code applies to councillors when they –

 

a)    a) conduct the business of the Council, including the business of their office as a councillor; or

b) act, claim to act or give the impression they are acting as a representative of the Council.

 

It is, therefore, the Code of Conduct (and not the Leader of any political group on the Council) that requires all elected members to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with the Code.

 

However, it ought to be noted that the Code of Conduct is not engaged at all times, respecting that all elected Members have a right to private life.

 

Accordingly, how Members conduct themselves in terms of their private lives outside of the Council and away from the application of the Code of Conduct, for example, in terms of their use of social media, is entirely a matter for those individuals exercising their rights to a private life.

 

 

Question No

Question By

Cabinet Member

Subject

Q8/

14-15

Sarah Car

Councillor Evans, Leader

Plymouth Hoe Diving Boards

As a mum of a child that tombstones will The Leader of the Council listen to the kids and the parents and consider supporting the campaign to bring back the Plymouth Hoe diving boards to give kids back somewhere to use instead of dangerous jumping off the rocks.

 

Response:

 

The Council is very aware of the problem of tombstoning on the waterfront and has been actively working with the police to address it.

 

This has included putting in place dispersal orders which gives the police the powers to stop it when they see it happening.

 

It is important that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

29.

Corporate Plan Review pdf icon PDF 33 KB

Cabinet Member: Councillor Evans (Council Leader)

 

The City Council will be asked to adopt the revised Corporate Plan.

 

The minute of Cabinet held on 15 July 2014 will be submitted together with the report considered at Cabinet.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Evans (Leader) presented a report on the Corporate Plan review (Cabinet minute 24 referred).

 

Councillor Peter Smith (Deputy Leader) seconded the recommendation.

 

Agreed to adopt the revised Corporate Plan as recommended by Cabinet.

30.

Response to the Plymouth Fairness Commission pdf icon PDF 34 KB

Cabinet Member: Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Co-operatives, Housing and Community Safety)

 

The City Council will be asked to agree the draft response to the recommendations of the Plymouth Fairness Commission.

 

The minute of Cabinet held on 12 August 2014 will be submitted together with the report considered at Cabinet.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Penberthy presented the draft response to the recommendations of the Plymouth Fairness Commission (Cabinet minute 40 referred).

 

Councillor Kate Taylor seconded the recommendation.

 

Agreed the draft response to the recommendations of the Plymouth Fairness Commission as recommended by Cabinet.

31.

Capital and Revenue Monitoring Report 2014/15 pdf icon PDF 39 KB

Cabinet Member: Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance)

 

The City Council will be asked to note the report and agree the following delegated authority for approval of any changes to existing capital schemes, within the overall affordability envelope, based on a sound rationale –

 

Up to £200,000

Responsible Finance Officer in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Members

Above £200,000

Leader in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member(s) (following consultation with the City Council Investment Board) 

 

The minute of Cabinet held on 2 September 2014 will be submitted together with the report considered at Cabinet.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) presented the Capital and Revenue Monitoring report 2014/15 (Cabinet minute 24 referred).  Councillor Lowry made a verbal amendment to the new spend figure on page 61 of the agenda in paragraph 3 which should have read £209.287 million and not £209.387 million.

 

Councillor Evans (Leader) seconded the recommendation.

 

Agreed to give the following delegated authority for approval of any changes to existing capital schemes, within the overall affordability envelope, based on a sound rationale –

 

Up to 200,000

Responsible Finance Officer in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Members

 

Above 200,000

Leader in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member(s) (following consultation with the City Council Investment Board)

 

32.

Plymouth's Brittany Ferries' Connections to Spain and Brittany pdf icon PDF 44 KB

The motion will be proposed by Councillor Evans (Council Leader) and seconded by Councillor Bowyer.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Evans (Leader) presented a report on Brittany Ferries’ connections to Spain and Brittany.

 

Councillor Bowyer (Leader of the Opposition) seconded the recommendations.

 

Agreed to support Brittany Ferries and lobby the Secretary of State to protect its connections to Spain and Brittany by –

 

(1)

seeking a short term exemption to continue to burn heavy fuel for the next two years pending procurement of new technology and provision of a new ferry; or

 

(2)

providing government support

 

(Councillor Drean declared a disclosable pecuniary interest and withdrew from the meeting).

33.

Any other motions on notice submitted

To consider any other motions submitted in accordance with the Constitution.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no further motions on notice.

34.

QUESTIONS BY COUNCILLORS

Questions to the Leader, Cabinet Members and Committee Chairs covering aspects for their areas of responsibility or concern by councillors in accordance with Part B, paragraph 12 of the constitution.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

From

To

Subject

1

Councillor Michael Leaves

Councillor Vincent

Welcomed the announcement regarding glass recycling.  Asked for confirmation that it had been a Conservative initiative as Councillor Singh had stated that Labour had put the plans into place.

Response: Conservatives came up with the idea but Labour had to get it right and put it into place.

 

2

Councillor Ken Foster

Councillor Vincent

Could you get a tight grip on missed bin collections in the Radford Ward and was it right that residents who suffered from sight problems had to email the Chief Executive because their bin had been missed for three weeks?

Response: we are running on Councillor Leaves programme and this has caused problems but we will sort the programme out and this will eradicate missed bins. Please come to me sooner next time you hear of this sort of situation, don’t leave it until a council meeting.

 

3

Councillor Mrs Beer

Councillor Penberthy

How much had it cost to clear up unlawful traveller encampments in the current year and had this been budgeted for?

Response: The money comes from across the Council, it is budgeted for.

 

Written response to be provided.

 

4

Councillor Ricketts

Councillor Coker

There had been consultation regarding a cycle scheme around the train station.  There were concerns regarding cost, issues with signage on East Park Avenue and no turning into Restormel Avenue and Glenn Park Avenue. Would local representations on this local issue be taken into account before a decision was made?

Response: Ward members were invited to engage with the scheme, the decision was taken to go out to public consultation and put on a roadshow.  Feedback is being collated for my consideration and the scheme needs to be suitable for all users.

 

5

Councillor Mahony

Councillor Lowry

Following the collapse of the Higher Home Park scheme could confirmation be given as to whether the transfer of the small area of leasehold Greenspace land attached to the Argyle Ground had happened despite building work not going ahead as planned? Could there be an assurance that consideration would be given to keeping the land as Greenspace under the City rather than transferring it to a private landowner?

 

Response: I can’t comment on whether building work is going ahead or not but the transfer of land would only take place subject to a successful development of land.  The planning permission that exists is for a period of five years and there is a legal obligation for the Council to keep this option open for a period of time.

 

6

Councillor Stevens

Councillor Evans

Could you confirm that you have been in touch with the Minister of State for Housing and Planning and what was the response received?

Would you agree that success would not have been possible without the Planning Department and that tribute should be paid to the Planning Officers? How would the Minister have viewed that latest figures for a 13 week turn around on planning applications was at a record 81  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

35.

EXEMPT BUSINESS

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it (they) involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no items of exempts business.