To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2021(EGM) and 25 January 2021 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2021 were agreed as a true and accurate record subject to –

An amendment to Page 15 as Councillor Mrs Johnson was showing as having voted twice and on

Page 12, Councillor Carson was showing as having voted twice and Cllr Ball’s vote was not recorded on this item.

Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this agenda.

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 –

To receive announcements from the Lord Mayor, Chief Executive, Service Director for Finance or Head of Legal Services;

The Director of Public Health provided an update on the current situation with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic:

·       Since the last meeting rates had fallen. Current rates in Plymouth were 50 per 100,000 per week, 75 per 100,000 per week South West average and 121 per 100,000 per week England average.

·       Plymouth’s rates were in the bottom 5% of all local authority areas.

·       Lowest levels that had been reached in winter months with the current lockdown levels, expected that a natural plateau had now been reached.

·       Devon CCG had reported good progress with the vaccination program and plans were underway for the 65-70 and under 65s with underlying conditions.

·       Over 95% of over 70s had been vaccinated.

·       Data was showing that the vaccines were successful in reducing the effects of COVID19, even from the first injection, but this does take time to build immunity.

·       The Prime Minister would announce plans for the upcoming months at 7pm on Monday 22 February 2021 with tests that must be met in order to continue easing lockdown restrictions.

·       Although it was positive that we were moving towards restrictions being lifted and more people were being vaccinated every day, restrictions were still in place and people must remember to follow the hands, face and space guidance.

·       Schools should be returning on 8th March 2021.

·       Teams were working on optimising movement of people through vaccination centres safely.

·       The launch a community champions programme to ensure that communities were getting the information on vaccinations that they need, tackling misinformation.

·       Production of a vaccination toolkit for Councillor’s with clear information for signposting.

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.

There was one question from members of the public:

At the start of the debate Councillor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) proposed, Councillor Kelly (Leader of the Opposition) seconded and Council agreed that in accordance with Part B, Council Procedure Rule 14.6 of the Constitution, Rule of Debate 4.2 (in Appendix one) (which limits speeches to five minutes) was suspended for this item in relation to the speeches by the Leader and the Leader of the Opposition.

Councillor Tudor Evans OBE, Leader of the Council, introduced the Revenue and Capital Budget and Proposed Council Tax Levels for 2021/22report as amended this was seconded by Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet Member for Finance.

Councillor Evans OBE (Leader of the Council) and Councillor Kelly (Leader of the Opposition) gave speeches on their perspectives regarding the Revenue and Capital Budget and Proposed Council Tax Levels for 2021/22.

Following debate, with contributions from Councillors Neil, Dann, Laing, Peter Smith, Haydon, Kate Taylor, Deacon, Stevens, Gosling, Nicholson, Derrick, Beer, Singh, Jordan, Drean, Lowry, Coker, James, Johnson, Darcy and Bridgeman.

Council agreed to -

1.     approve the proposed net revenue budget requirement for 2021/22 of £195.568m;

2.     approve an increase to the council tax levels for 2021/22 by one point nine nine percent (1.99%)

2a. approve an increase to the Adult Social Care precept for 2021/22 by three percent (3.00%) and;

2b. approve a contribution of £1.367m from reserves in order to balance the 2021/22 Council Budget.

3.     approve the capital budget of £778.671m for 2020 to 2025 (Appendix B6);

4.     note that the precept to the Council issued by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for each category of dwellings in the Council’s area, will be confirmed at the meeting;

5.     note that the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority precept will be confirmed for 2021/22 at the meeting;

6.     note the Section 151 Officer’s statement on the Budget as set out in section 2 of this report;

7.     approve the annual Treasury Management Strategy and Capital Financing Strategy 2021/22 (incorporating the authorised limits, operational boundaries and prudential indicators) as submitted (Appendices B8 and B7);

8.     note the response to the recommendations made by the Budget Scrutiny Select Committee and the Cabinet response to those recommendations (Appendix B9);

9.     approve the use of flexible capital receipts to fund The Way We Work Programme;

10.  delegate responsibility for any technical accounting changes which may arise after the budget to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance.

For (30)

Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Buchan, Corvid, Coker, Dann, Darcy, Derrick, Davey, Evans OBE, Haydon, Gosling, Hendy, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, Peter Smith, Stevens, Jon Taylor, Kate Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler, Winter (DLM).

Against (2)

Councillors Ball and Singh.

Abstain (23)

Councillors Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Carson, Churchill, Cook, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, James, Jordan, Johnson, Kelly, Michael Leaves, Samantha Leaves, Loveridge,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.