To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2015 as a correct record.

Agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2015.

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.

The following declarations of interest were made by councillors in accordance with the code of conduct in respect of items under consideration at the meeting -

Any proposed changes to committees or outside bodies will be reported to the Council meeting.

There were no appointments for consideration.

(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.

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, Ballard House, West Hoe Road, Plymouth, PL1 3BJ, or email to democraticsupport@plymouth.gov.uk. Any questions must be received at least five complete working days before the meeting.

Eight questions were submitted by members of the public for this meeting, in accordance with Part B, paragraph 11 of the Constitution.

In the absence of Mr Williams, the following question and response were circulated and a written response would be sent to him after the meeting - 

Mr Aldred attended the meeting and asked the following question.  Councillor Lowry responded as set out below -

In the absence of Mr Sloman, the following question and response were circulated and a written response would be sent to him after the meeting - 

Cabinet Member: Councillor Vincent (Cabinet Member for Environment).

The City Council will be asked to approve the amendment of the Statement of Licensing Policy to include an extended Barbican Cumulative Impact Area as outlined in the map contained in Appendix 3 to the Cabinet report.

The minute of Cabinet held on 10 March 2015 will be submitted together with the report considered at Cabinet.

Cabinet minute 142 and the Cabinet report on the Barbican Cumulative Impact Policy were submitted.  

Councillor Vincent (Cabinet Member for Environment) proposed and Councillor Rennie seconded the Cabinet recommendations.

Agreed that that Statement of Licensing Policy is amended to include and extended Barbican Cumulative Impact Area as outlined in the map contained in Appendix 3 of the report.

Chair of the Co-operative Scrutiny Board: Councillor James.

The City Council will be asked to approve the recommendation of the Working Plymouth Scrutiny Panel, subject to approval by the Co-operative Scrutiny Board.

The minute of the Working Plymouth Scrutiny Panel held on 18 March 2015 will be submitted (to follow) together with the report considered at the scrutiny panel.

Working Plymouth Scrutiny Panel minute 40 (which had been agreed by Councillor James (Chair of the Co-operative Scrutiny Board) under delegated authority) together with the report to the scrutiny panel were submitted.   

Councillor James (Chair of the Co-operative Scrutiny Board) proposed and Councillor Murphy (Chair of the Working Plymouth Scrutiny Panel) seconded the recommendations of the Working Plymouth Scrutiny Panel.

Agreed that the power of veto, as per Regulation 12 of the Business Improvement District (England) Regulations 2004, is not exercised.

Chair of the Lord Mayor’s Selection Committee: Councillor Evans (Council Leader)

The City Council will be asked to approve the recommendation of the Lord Mayor’s Selection Committee, prior to the Annual Meeting, in accordance with Article 5.1.1 of the Council’s Constitution.

Lord Mayor’s Selection Committee minute 4 was submitted.

Councillor Evans (Leader) proposed and Councillor Nicholson seconded the recommendation of the Lord Mayor’s Selection Committee.

Agreed that the nomination of Councillor Dr John Mahony as Lord Mayor for 2015/16 is forwarded to the Council’s AGM.

Councillor Dr Mahony addressed the Council following the vote.

Chair of the Chief Officer Appointments Panel: Councillor Evans (Council Leader)

The City Council will be asked to approve the recommendation of the Chief Officer Appointments Panel on the appointment of the Council’s Section 151 Officer (Assistant Director for Finance).

The minute of the Chief Officer Appointments Panel held on 17 March 2015 and a supporting report will be submitted.

This item was withdrawn from the meeting.

To be proposed by Councillor Patrick Nicholson and seconded by Councillor Mahony.

Councillor Nicholson proposed and Councillor Dr Mahony seconded a motion on land disposals, as submitted.

During the debate Councillor Kate Taylor proposed and Councillor Stevens seconded an amendment to the motion as follows and underlined -

Following a request from ten councillors for a recorded vote the amendment was agreed. 

The vote was -

For the amendment (28)

Councillors Mrs Aspinall, Bowie, Coker, Damarell, Philippa Davey, Sam Davey, Evans, Hendy, Jarvis, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy (Deputy Lord Mayor), Mrs Nelder, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, Singh, John Smith, Peter Smith, Sparling, Stevens, Jon Taylor, Kate Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent and Wheeler.

Against the amendment (27)

Councillors Ball, Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Casey, Churchill, Darcy, Downie, Foster, Mrs Foster, Fry, James, Jordan, Martin Leaves, Mike Leaves, Mrs Leaves, Dr Mahony, Mrs Nicholson, Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Ricketts, Riley, Dr Salter, Stark, Storer and Wigens.

Abstentions (1)

Lord Mayor (Chair)

Councillor Evans moved, Councillor Lowry seconded and the Council agreed that the motion as amended was put to the vote without further debate.

Following a request from ten councillors for a recorded vote, the motion as amended, was agreed as follows -

The vote was -

For the amendment (28)

Councillors Mrs Aspinall, Bowie, Coker, Damarell, Philippa Davey, Sam Davey, Evans, Hendy, Jarvis, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy (deputy Lord Mayor), Mrs Nelder, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, Singh, John Smith, Peter Smith, Sparling, Stevens, Jon Taylor, Kate Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent and Wheeler.

Against the amendment (24)

Councillors Ball, Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Casey, Churchill, Darcy, Downie, Foster, Mrs Foster, Fry, James, Jordan, Martin Leaves, Mike Leaves, Mrs Leaves, Dr Mahony, Mrs Nicholson, Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Ricketts, Dr Salter, Stark, and Wigens.

Abstentions (4)

Lord Mayor (Chair), Councillors Mrs Bridgeman, Riley and Storer.

To be proposed by Councillor Ricketts and seconded by Councillor Mrs Bowyer.

Councillor Ricketts proposed and Councillor Mrs Bowyer seconded a motion on Car Parking, as submitted.

During the debate, Councillor Coker proposed and Councillor Mrs Nelder seconded an amendment to the motion as follows –

Following a request from ten councillors for a recorded vote, the amendment was agreed.

The vote was -

For the amendment (53)

Councillors Mrs Aspinall, Ball, Mrs Beer, Bowie, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Casey, Churchill, Coker, Damarell, Darcy, Philippa Davey, Sam Davey, Evans, Foster, Mrs Foster, Fry, Hendy, James, Jarvis, Jordan, Martin Leaves, Mike Leaves, Mrs Leaves, Lowry, Dr Mahony, McDonald, Morris, Murphy (Deputy Lord Mayor), Mrs Nelder, Nicholson, Mrs Nicholson, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Mrs Pengelly, Rennie, Ricketts, Riley, Singh, John Smith, Peter Smith, Sparling, Stark, Stevens, Storer, Jon Taylor, Kate Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent Wheeler and Wigens.

Abstentions (1)

Lord Mayor (Chair)

Councillor Coker moved, Councillor Rennie seconded and the Council agreed that the motion as amended was put to the vote without further debate.

The motion as amended was agreed as follows –

‘Council resolves to publish its car parking strategy in the new municipal year, which will include all council run car parks throughout the city.

Furthermore Council resolves to freeze all car parking charges for a further 18 months to help stimulate growth and tourism and to reinforce Plymouth as a destination stop.

Council commits to keeping all district shopping centres free of charge.’

To be proposed by Councillor Mrs Beer and seconded by Councillor Churchill.

Councillor Mrs Beer proposed and Councillor Churchill seconded a motion on a Transit Site, as submitted.

During the debate Councillor Penberthy proposed and Councillor Mrs Nelder seconded an amendment to the motion as follows –

With the consent of Council, the meeting adjourned for councillors to consider the amendment.

Upon reconvening, Councillor Evans proposed and Councillor Rennie seconded a proposal for the Council meeting to move into Part II (to exclude the press and the public) to consider the previous disclosure of commercially sensitive information.

Following a request from ten councillors for a recorded vote, it was agreed that under Section 100(A)(3) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public are excluded from the meeting for the remaining part of this item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

The vote was -

For the proposal (30)

Councillors Mrs Aspinall, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Damarell, Philippa Davey, Sam Davey, Evans, Hendy, Jarvis, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy (Deputy Lord Mayor), Mrs Nelder, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, Riley, Singh, John Smith, Peter Smith, Sparling, Stevens, Storer, Jon Taylor, Kate Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent and Wheeler.

Against the proposal (21)

Councillors Ball, Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Casey, Churchill, Darcy, Foster, Mrs Foster, Fry, James, Jordan, Martin Leaves, Mike Leaves, Mrs Leaves, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Mrs Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Ricketts and Wigens.

Abstentions (1)

Lord Mayor (Chair)

Members of the Conservative Group left the Chamber until the conclusion of this item.

After further discussion, the motion as amended was agreed as follows -

‘This Council instructs the Cabinet Member(s) with portfolio responsibility to bring forward a clear action plan to establish a transit site for the Gypsy and Traveller Community as part of the Plymouth Plan process in order to reduce the costs of unauthorised encampments falling as a burden on local taxpayers.’    

(The meeting returned to Part I at the conclusion of this item.)

To be proposed by Councillor Lowry and seconded by Councillor Philippa Davey.

Councillor Phillippa Davey proposed and Councillor Morris seconded a motion on Towns against Tax Dodging.

Councillor Nicholson moved, Councillor Mrs Pengelly seconded and the Council agreed that the motion was put to the vote without further debate.

The motion was agreed as follows –

‘This Council resolves to support the campaign for tax justice, supporting the motion:

that while many ordinary people face falling household income and rising costs of living, some multinational companies are avoiding billions of pounds of tax from a tax system that fails to make them pay their fair share. Local governments in developing countries and the UK alike would benefit from a fairer tax system where multinational companies pay their fair share, enabling authorities around the world to provide quality public services. The UK government must listen to the strength of public feeling and act to end the injustice of tax dodging by large multinational companies, in developing countries and the UK.

This Council resolves to write to the political party leaders to call on them to pledge support for a Tax Dodging Bill in the first 100 days of parliament after the general election.’

Following the motion on ‘towns against tax dodging’ (minute 85 refers), and following a proposal from Councillor Evans and seconded by Councillor Rennie, it was agreed to waive Council Procedure Rule 10.1 to enable the conclusion of the business on the agenda.

To be proposed by Councillor Evans and seconded by Councillor Stevens

Councillor Evans proposed and Councillor Stevens seconded a motion on Land Registry Proposals for Local Land Charges.

The motion was agreed as follows –

‘to mandate the Chief Executive to -

European Referendum

To be proposed by Councillor Churchill and seconded by Councillor Ball.

Members of Parliament

To be proposed by Councillor Stevens and seconded by Councillor Evans.

Councillor Churchill proposed and Councillor Ball seconded a motion on a European Referendum as follows -

Following a request from ten councillors for a recorded vote the motion was lost.

The vote was -

For the proposal (23)

Councillors Ball, Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Casey, Churchill, Darcy, Foster, Mrs Foster, James, Jordan, Martin Leaves, Mike Leaves, Mrs Leaves, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Mrs Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Ricketts, Riley, Storer and Wigens.

Against the proposal (27)

Councillors Mrs Aspinall, Coker, Damarell, Philippa Davey, Sam Davey, Evans, Hendy, Jarvis, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy (Deputy Lord Mayor), Mrs Nelder, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie,  Singh, John Smith, Peter Smith, Sparling, Stevens, Jon Taylor, Kate Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent and Wheeler.

Abstentions (1)

Lord Mayor (Chair)

Councillor Stevens proposed and Councillor Evans seconded a motion on Members of Parliament.

The motion was agreed as follows –

‘Council resolves to support the public’s call to ban MPs from holding second jobs, including paid directorships and consultancies outside Parliament.’

The City Council will be asked to approve the draft Calendar of the Council and Committees for 2015/16 up to the next Annual General Meeting of the Council.

Councillor Smith (Deputy Leader) presented and Councillor Evans seconded the draft calendar of meetings for Council and Committees 2015/16.

Agreed the calendar of meetings of the Council and Committees for 2015/16.

The Council Leader will submit a report on urgent key decisions taken since May 2014, for noting (paragraphs 3.5 of the Cabinet Procedure Rules and 18.3 of the Access to Information Rules in the Constitution refer).

Councillor Evans (Council Leader) presented his report on urgent Cabinet and key decisions taken since May 2014.

The report was noted.

Questions to the Council 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.

There were no items of exempt business on the agenda however, the meeting went into Part II during minute 84 above.