Agenda and minutes

City Council - Monday 13 September 2021 2.00 pm

Venue: The Guildhall, Plymouth

Contact: Jamie Sheldon  Senior Governance Advisor

Media

Items
No. Item

17.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 61 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meetings held on 14 June 2021 as a correct record.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of 14 June 2021 (EGM), and 14 June 2021 Full Council meetings were agreed as a true and accurate record.

 

Under this item Councillor Tudor Evans OBE offered a full and sincere apology to the Lord Mayor regarding the words he used towards her at the previous meeting; he apologised most sincerely for the remarks and gave assurance he wouldn’t use those words against her again.

18.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 62 KB

Members will be asked to make any 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 declarations of interest were made by councillors in accordance with the code of conduct in respect of items under consideration at the meeting -

 

Name

Minute Number

Reason

Interest

Councillor Stevens

Minute 27

Linked to an investigation into his employers.

Private

Councillor Harrison

Minute 28

She was working with those on universal credit.

Private

 

The Monitoring Officer granted full dispensation for all Councillors to speak on the motions on notice regarding Keyham and Universal Credit.

19.

Appointments to Committees, Outside Bodies etc

The Monitoring Officer will submit a schedule of vacancies on committees, outside bodies etc and of changes notified to us.  

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members noted the changes to appointments to committees as follows:

 

·        

Councillor Morris is to be replaced by Councillor Penberthy on the Brexit, Infrastructure and Legislative Change Overview and Scrutiny Committee;

 

·        

Councillor Hulme is to be replaced by Councillor Stoneman on the Performance, Finance and Customer Focus Overview and Scrutiny Panel;

 

·        

Councillor James is to be replaced by Councillor Collins on the Corporate Parenting Group;

 

·        

Councillor Penberthy is to fill a vacancy on the Corporate Parenting Group;

 

·        

Councillor Hulme is to be replaced by Councillor Salmon on the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Panel;

 

·        

Councillor Shayer is to be replaced by Councillor Salmon on the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel.

 

 

20.

Announcements

(a)        To receive announcements from the Lord Mayor, Chief Executive, Service 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 advised Members that she had several announcements for the meeting however started by asking Council to join her to stand for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for those who tragically lost their lives in the devastating incident in Keyham, and in support also of their families and loved ones as well as all those who had been affected.

 

It was highlighted that the Lord Mayor had attended the vigil in Keyham on the 13th August 2021 and was overwhelmed by the love and support shown for those affected by this tragic event. Yet in the middle of this unspeakable thing to happen to Keyham, Plymouthians had been pulling together, caring for one another and refusing to be defined by something so terrible. There were some wonderful examples of the city standing together:

 

·          

Redrok UK designed and gave out Plymouth Together car stickers while fundraising for Devon Air Ambulance;

 

·          

local artists had created some wonderful art, which had commemorated the lives lost and those injured;

 

·          

tributes were paid as part of the National Fireworks Championships;

 

·          

60 community groups and individuals had been fundraising for the families of the victims;

 

·          

the staff from The Box have carefully made sure any tributes left in Keyham were protected from the weather;

 

·          

community leaders in Keyham had passionately spoken out for their neighbours, about what they need now and in the future;

 

·          

staff from a broad range of partner agencies including Victim Support, Livewell Southwest, Plymouth Community Homes and Devon and Cornwall Police have been working with Council staff to carry out visits and be available in Keyham for those who need support;

 

·          

partners gave up their buildings so we could set up Reassurance Hubs – spaces that residents could visit if they wanted to. Our particular thanks to Ford Primary School, St Mark’s Church and the Wolseley Trust for their support;

 

·          

our children’s centres, youth service and targeted support service have been working together running fun activities for children and families in the centre of Keyham;

 

·          

we’ve sent out a support leaflet for Keyham to 5000 households, and set up a dedicated website and email address so we can make sure as many people as possible know where they can get help.

 

Members took a short adjournment in order for them to collect their thoughts.

 

The Lord Mayor also advised Members –

 

·          

to note the sad passing of Alderman Harold Luscombe who passed away on Sunday 22 August 2021. He was made an Honorary Alderman of the City of Plymouth on 17 February 1992. His funeral was today and attended by former Lord Mayor Alderman Mavin as the representative of Plymouth City Council. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time. Harold would be missed by all who knew him. Council was asked to stand again for a minutes silence to remember Alderman Harold Luscombe;

 

·          

with regards to SailGP, the Lord Mayor thanked the Events Team and all those involved from teams across  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

Honorary Alderman

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor advised Members that following the agreement of Council to award the title of Alderman to five former Councillors in June 2021, Council extended an offer to those receiving the honour who were unable to attend to return to Council in September to respond publically on receiving the title of Alderman.

 

Alderman Pete Smith, Michael Leaves and Sam Davey were in attendance at the meeting and addressed the Council.

 

Alderman Michael Leaves highlighted that he was born and bred and always lived in Plymouth and had been on the Council for 21 years, representing Plymstock Radford ward. He said it was an honour to represent residents of Radford.

 

Alderman Pete Smith thanked everyone that sent well wishes and gifts since his recent health scare, and thanked the Council for bestowing the honour of Alderman on him. He also thanked his wife and family for putting up with his 26 years of being a councillor, and Plympton St Mary and Honicknowle residents, the Plymouth Labour party for their support and the Plymouth Labour Cabinet who ought to be proud of their achievements. Lastly thanks was extended to Councillor Evans OBE for being his mentor.

 

Alderman Sam Davey thanked Council for the honour of bestowing on him the title of Alderman and was grateful and proud.

 

The Lord Mayor thanked them for their attendance and asked that they accept the Council’s thanks for their many years of service.

22.

Announcements

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This item is a continuation of minute 20, ‘Announcements’.

 

Councillor Patrick Nicholson (Deputy Leader) provided announcements on the following:

 

·        

there were ongoing issues of capacity at Derriford hospital – the Council played a significant part as a key stakeholder in assisting in those pressures. The hospital discharge pressures were related to the limited domiciliary care in the city, the covid 19 impact on providers, the complexity of those that needed support and the different thresholds of risk – the Council was doing its best to assist the University Hospitals Plymouth to expedite discharges from Derriford. Now there was twice daily attendance of the council at escalation calls with University Plymouth – revised risk arrangements to open care homes as quickly as possible following the outbreak of covid. Commissions of adult social care and were provisioning a care hotel of 13 beds in care homes in the city to ease discharges. The council formed a domiciliary care brokerage team to maximise capacity of domiciliary care in the community;

 

·        

the Council had launched a recruitment campaign for providers of domiciliary care providers in the city; the campaign started on 20 August 2021 and would run for 12 weeks promoting flexibility of the role and the benefits and rewards of working in this sector;

 

·        

since the decision to support further discharge William Patricia Venton Centre at Mount Gould with deliver further beds – builders start this week;

 

·        

the 2021 tree programme – 2031 trees over 17 wards were to be planted from October this year – 59 projects in the programme, of which 34 were supported by Councillors through community grant funds;

 

Councillor Downie provided announcement on the following –

 

·        

with regards to young peoples’ return to school, the council proactively prepared schools for a September return whilst the city was designated as a covid enhanced response area. The Council and Public Health worked closely to provide an information pack with advice needed;

 

·        

on 6 September 2021 an EGM was held with Head Teachers and CEOs from the city’s schools and academies. Enabled the council to give further advice and answer questions about school re-openings;

 

·        

Plymouth schools all opened as planned;

 

·        

an inspection of the youth offending team taking place on 27 September;

 

·        

demand for childrens social care continued and was 25% than previously experienced;

 

·        

Mark Riddell MP will visit the city on 29/30 September 2021 to allow the Council to share its progress in working with care leavers in the city and young people.

 

Councillor Mrs Maddi Bridgeman (Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene) provided announcements on the following:

 

·        

Garden waste services – there was a problem regarding HGV drivers and the impact on street services teams. In light of high level of staff absence and annual leave, the Council made the decision to give priority to brown and green waste collections with garden waste collections being affected;

 

·        

the schedule for grass cutting and weeding an issue in the city – over the past few months consulted with the public and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

Questions by the Public

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were three questions submitted by members of the public.

 

The following question was submitted by Mr Danny Bamping and answered by The Lord Mayor, Councillor Mrs Beer:

Question: "Can PCC confirm that Councillor Mark Lowry made the decision to rename Sir John Hawkins Square to Jack Leslie Square on the 11th June 2020? If PCC claim that this is not the date, can the Council then confirm when Cllr Lowry actually made the decision and in what form?

Answer: The Council has made various public statements about its actions in relation to the renaming of the Square in June 2020. It would be inappropriate to make further statements about this matter pending the resolution of the ongoing court proceedings. The council will make a further statement following the conclusion of those proceedings.

 

The following question was submitted by Mr Gregg Black and answered by Councillor Jonathan Drean (Cabinet Member for Transport):

Question: "Residents of Efford and Lipson are concerned about the speed people drive on Efford Lane, Blandford Road and Pike Road. They are concerned that a major accident could happen. Has traffic calming similar to Leigham been considered for these roads and if not could it?

Answer: There are currently no plans to introduce traffic calming on the three roads in question although the junction with Pike Rd and Old Laira Rd are included in a proposed 20mph Zone on Old Laira Road currently under design.

Works on these schemes were regrettably impacted by COVID19, however works are now on track, we intend to consult on the scheme soon and complete this financial year. The scheme will also include a section of Efford Lane from its junction with Old Laira Rd to a point North of Western Drive. Speed Surveys have recently been undertaken on all of these roads and have shown that average speeds are well under 30mph with the highest being Blandford Rd at 27mph.  The three roads in question total approx. 3km in length and Police records indicate that there a have been 11 injury collisions on these roads in the last 5 years.  10 of the collisions classed as slight and 1 as serious which did not involve inappropriate speed. In only 2 cases was inappropriate speed cited as a contributory factor. A collision rate of 3.6 per kilometre on a residential distributor route with a low incidence of speed rated collisions would not usually warrant further investigation. 

 

By contrast, the length of Old Laira Rd currently being considered is 1200m long has 13 injury collisions reported by the Police in 5 years of which 5 were speed related, a rate of 10.8 per kilometre.

 

The following question was submitted by Chanine Flood and answered by Councillor Jonathan Drean (Cabinet Member for Transport):

Question: "There is an un-named road in Plymouth – behind the Life Centre and connecting Home Park to Outland Road. Can the Council confirm if they are planning to now re-adopt this important road in Plymouth, maintain it and give it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

A Bright Future 2021 - 2026 pdf icon PDF 157 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Downie (Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Children and Young People) introduced the ‘A Bright Future 2021 – 2026’ report, this was seconded by Councillor Nicholson (Deputy Leader).

 

Following contributions from Councillors Laing and Penberthy, Council unanimously agreed to adopt the Bright Future plan and vision for children and young people in Plymouth for 2021-2026.

 

Votes for: (50) (Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Bingley, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Dr Buchan, Carlyle, Coker, Collins, Corvid, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Derrick, Downie, Drean, Evans OBE, Goslin, Harrison, Hendy, Hulme, James, Mrs Johnson, Jordan, Kelly, Laing, Loveridge, Lowry, Dr Mahony, McDonald, Murphy, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Penberthy, Mrs Pengelly, Rennie, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Singh, Smith, Stevens, Stoneman, Tuffin, Vincent, Wakeham, Ms Watkin and Wheeler.

 

Votes against: (0)

 

Did not vote/ absent: (7) (Lord Mayor and Councillors Burden, Deacon, Haydon, Morris, Churchill and Neil)

 

25.

Finance and Capital Monitoring Report June 2021 pdf icon PDF 620 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Nick Kelly (Leader of the Council) introduced the Finance and Capital Monitoring Report June 2021, this was seconded by Councillor

 

Following debate, with contributions from Councillors Lowry, Laing, Nicholson, Kelly, Dr Mahony, Bingley, Council unanimously agreed to:

 

1.

note the current revenue monitoring position;

 

2.

approve the revision of the Capital Budget 2021-2026 to £612.270m (as shown in Section C Table 1).

 

Votes for: (50) (Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Bingley, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Dr Buchan, Carlyle, Coker, Collins, Corvid, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Derrick, Downie, Drean, Evans OBE, Goslin, Harrison, Hendy, Hulme, James, Mrs Johnson, Jordan, Kelly, Laing, Loveridge, Lowry, Dr Mahony, McDonald, Murphy, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Penberthy, Mrs Pengelly, Rennie, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Singh, Smith, Stevens, Stoneman, Tuffin, Vincent, Wakeham, Ms Watkin and Wheeler.

 

Votes against: (0)

 

Did not vote/ absent: (7) (Lord Mayor and Councillors Burden, Deacon, Haydon, Morris, Churchill and Neil)

 

26.

Annual Report on Treasury Management Activities for 2020 - 2021 pdf icon PDF 493 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Dr Mahony (Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee) introduced the Annual Report on Treasury Management Activities for 2020 – 2021 this was seconded by Councillor Bingley.

 

Councillor Dr Mahony then summed up following no further requests to speak on this item therefore Council agreed to approve the Treasury Management Annual Report 2020/21.

 

Votes for: (50) (Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Bingley, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Dr Buchan, Carlyle, Coker, Collins, Corvid, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Derrick, Downie, Drean, Evans OBE, Goslin, Harrison, Hendy, Hulme, James, Mrs Johnson, Jordan, Kelly, Laing, Loveridge, Lowry, Dr Mahony, McDonald, Murphy, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Penberthy, Mrs Pengelly, Rennie, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Singh, Smith, Stevens, Stoneman, Tuffin, Vincent, Wakeham, Ms Watkin and Wheeler.

 

Votes against: (0)

 

Did not vote/ absent: (7) (Lord Mayor and Councillors Burden, Deacon, Haydon, Morris, Churchill and Neil)

 

 

27.

Motions on notice

To consider motions from councillors in accordance with Part B, paragraph 14 of the Constitution.

Additional documents:

28.

Keyham pdf icon PDF 110 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Kelly (The Leader) introduced the cross party motion on notice on Keyham. This was seconded by Councillor Evans OBE.

 

Following a discussion, with contributions from Councillors Cresswell, Hulme, Derrick, Coker, Stevens and Laing, the motion was carried.

 

Votes for: (50) (Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Bingley, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Dr Buchan, Carlyle, Coker, Collins, Corvid, Dr Cree, Cresswell, Dann, Derrick, Downie, Drean, Evans OBE, Goslin, Harrison, Hendy, Hulme, James, Mrs Johnson, Jordan, Kelly, Laing, Loveridge, Lowry, Dr Mahony, McDonald, Murphy, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Penberthy, Mrs Pengelly, Rennie, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Singh, Smith, Stevens, Stoneman, Tuffin, Vincent, Wakeham, Ms Watkin and Wheeler.

 

Votes against: (0)

 

Did not vote/ absent: (7) (Lord Mayor and Councillors Burden, Deacon, Haydon, Morris, Churchill and Neil)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29.

Universal Credit pdf icon PDF 118 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Kelly (The Leader) introduced the cross party motion on notice on Keyham. This was seconded by Councillor Evans OBE.

 

Following a discussion, with contributions from Councillors Cresswell, Hulme, Derrick, Coker, Stevens and Laing, the motion was lost.

 

Votes for: (23) (Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Mrs Bowyer, Dr Buchan, Coker, Corvid, Cresswell, Dann, Derrick, Evans OBE, Goslin, Hendy, Mrs Johnson Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Murphy, Penberthy, Rennie, Stevens, Tuffin, Vincent and Wheeler.

 

Votes against: (25) (Councillors Bingley, Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Carlyle, Collins, Downie, Drean, Harrison, Hulme, James, Jordan, Kelly, Loveridge, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Partridge, Patel, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Salmon, Shayer, Smith, Stoneman, Wakeham and Ms Watkin.

 

Abstain: (1) Councillor Singh

 

Did not vote/ absent: (8) (Lord Mayor and Councillors Burden, Dr Cree, Deacon, Haydon, Morris, Churchill and Neil)

 

30.

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 Murphy

Councillor Mrs Pengelly

Why did this administration allow Belvedere Garden of Remembrance to be used as a bar for the SailGP event?

Response: Councillor Mrs Vivien Pengelly will ensure that Councillor Deacon provides a reply to Councillor Murphy for her question as soon as possible.

Supplementary Question: Councillor Murphy would like to be assured that this would never happen again and also a public apology to the armed forced community.

 

Response: Councillor Mrs Vivien Pengelly will ensure that this never happens again and apologised to the Armed Forces.

 

2

Councillor Singh

Councillor Mrs Maddi Bridgeman

I represent the Drake ward which will be the gateway to the redeveloped train station. We have problems with bins being left out, will the cabinet members responsible think about new schemes in regards to enforcement with bins being left out on the street causing obstructions?

 

Response: The teams in enforcement have bought a new camera which has been effective in catching fly tippers and those that are regularly causing those such issues. Councillor Bridgeman can ensure that Councillor Singh’s suggestion is taken forward and would like to take more people to Court in relation to fly tipping, littering and any sort of damage. Councillor Bridgeman is aware of the issues on North Road East and the camera will be deployed there soon.

Supplementary Question: Councillor Singh would like a meeting with Councillor Mrs Maddi Bridgeman to discuss a scheme that is working in another part of the country.

 

Response: Councillor Mrs Maddi Bridgeman agreed to the meeting.

 

3

Councillor Pat Patel

Councillor Nicholson

Following on from the meeting that was organised by Councillor Nicholson with the Mayflower Medical Group on the 9th September. The Mayflower Group represents a fifth of Plymouth residents for patient numbers. Please can I ask that you maintain pressure on the Mayflower Group and offer any and all support to ensure the turnaround of service delivery to all patients in order to relieve pressure for other GP surgeries as well as the accident and emergency department as Derriford Hospital? Also that the Mayflower Group continues to listen to its patients through the reactivation of the patient participation group and ensure that communication lines remain open to keep everyone informed of actions being taken and the improvement plan that is being implemented.

 

Response: Thanked Councillor Pat Patel and 14 other members for their attendance at the meeting that took place on the 9th September. It was a meeting which provided an honest appraisal of the difficulties that the Group are currently facing. The Mayflower Medical Group are committed to maintaining a dialogue with members and sharing the improvement plan that they are undertaking to seek to rectify the issues raised by the CQC. The Mayflower Group acknowledged that the issues raised had not been good enough and significant improvement is required.

 

The patient participation group was in the process of being re-established and a number of members of the council will participate in that group  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.