Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council House, Plymouth

Contact: Ross Jago  Head of Governance, Performance and Risk

Items
No. Item

46.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 234 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2023 as a correct record.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meetings held on 18 September 2023 were agreed as a correct record.

 

47.

Declarations of Interest

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

Item Number

Reason

Interest

Christopher Penberthy

11a

Pecuniary

Board Member of PEC Chemicals

 

48.

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.  

 

Minutes:

There were no changes or appointments to committees, outside bodies etc. which required the consideration of Council.

49.

Questions by the Public pdf icon PDF 74 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, 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:

The following question was submitted by Greg Black:

Question: Some residents in this city are on the cusp of being considered mentally competent to make decisions and care for themselves. Meaning these people are very vulnerable and at risk or harm or self neglect. How does the council support these people and what support is there for them?

Response: We understand that it is a worrying time for families and individuals when a loved one appears to become unwell or seem unable to make decisions for themselves. This can be caused by many factors, including their physical or mental health. It can mean they struggle to make decisions about their health or care needs, or their finances. We know that having the capacity to make decisions is not fixed and for some people does change and fluctuate depending on how well they are at the time.

 

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (known as the MCA) is the legislation that sets out how we should approach assessments in these circumstances. The MCA starts with the assumption that people have the capacity to make decisions for themselves and sets out the process when there is a need to challenge that fundamental assumption. There are a range of health and social care professionals that carry out Mental Capacity Act Assessments (MCA). These are grounded in our best understanding of people’s needs and wishes. Often people are supported by family and friends through this process.

 

We do also have support for people who are going through this process via advocacy services like those provided by the Highbury Trust. We have support for the family or friends of the person via our carer’s services, which are provided by Improving Lives Plymouth and also support and advice available from other VCSE partners including Age UK.

 

The following question was submitted by Chaz Singh:

Question: After the horrific fire at Luton Airport have PCC carried out their own fire and risk assessments for their multi storey and ground level car parks owned by them. Can you provide these and when they were carried out?

Response: Thank you for your question.

 

All Council car parks are subject to risk assessments. These risk assessments review a wide range of

risks and hazards alongside the measures that are in place to mitigate risk, for the purpose of helping

to keep people safe. Risks assessments are reviewed at least annually, and additionally upon any occasion that a car park may be subject to a change or where we may have had a report of a near miss or accident.

 

These risks assessments include checks such as the operation of fire doors and that access and

egress routes are clear.

 

Risk assessments can be updated at any time where, at the time of writing, the last risk assessment was reviewed and updated on 21st October 2023. We can provide you access to any of the car park risk assessments that you would like to see.

 

The following  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

50.

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.

Minutes:

Councillor Mark Shayer (The Lord Mayor of Plymouth) made the following announcements:

 

a)    Reported with sadness the passing of the former Lord Mayor and former Labour Councillor, Alderman Michael Wright, who passed away on Saturday 28 October 2023.? Alderman Michael Wright served as a Councillor for 18 years and called for one minute of silence in remembrance.

b)    Reported with sadness the untimely death of Carol Blackburn (A.K.A Carol Toms) and called for one minute of silence in remembrance. Carol Blackburn was a past Councillor for the St Budeaux ward of the city and served on the Council between 2000-2006.

c)    Congratulated City College Plymouth. The institution had been awarded the prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize; recognised as the highest national honour in the sector, the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes are part of the UK’s national Honours system, acknowledging the outstanding work of UK colleges and universities which show excellence, innovation and the delivery of real benefits to the wider world.  

d)    Congratulated apprentice Molly Blagden, who had been crowned Level 2 Autocare Apprentice of the Year by Exeter College.

e)    Congratulated Social Worker Charlie Mason who had won the Silver Award in the Team Leader of the Year, Adult Services category of Social Worker of the Year Awards award in recognition of her extraordinary practice and leadership. 

f)     Announced that The Platinum Parkway (Forder Valley Link Road) had been named ‘New Build Project of the Year’ in the ‘over £8m’ category of 2023’s Institute of Civil Engineering South-West Civil Engineering Awards, which recognised outstanding achievement, innovation, and ingenuity. 

 

Councillor Tudor Evans OBE (The Leader of the Council) made the following announcements:

 

g)    A letter had been received provisionally awarding £19 946 417 in ‘Levelling- Up “3” funding’. The funds would be allocated towards marine innovation, including “innovation barns” and “Ocean’s Gate” projects as well as the modernisation of port infrastructure at Millbay. This would include a move towards ‘shore power’ with the aim for the PCC to attain ‘net zero’ carbon emissions by 2026 instead of 2030. This money would need to be spent by 2026 and would enable greater access for jobs and raise the aspirations of young people to enter into marine employment.

 

h)    During the week commencing 12th November 2023, a £7.5 Million bid had been won for Innovate UK’s “national innovation launchpad” through a partnership of Plymouth City Council, Plymouth University and the Freeport.   

 

i)     The Economic Development team, working with Plymouth University, had organised, and had successfully convened, the “FLOW Conference”- Plymouth’s first ever offshore floating wind conference on 30th October. This builds on the work Plymouth City Council had conducting on the city’s port strategy to make Plymouth a centre for decarbonisation.

 

j)     The National Heritage Fund Lottery ‘round two visit’ had taken place during the week commencing 12th November 2023. Further funds would be applied for in the future on the advice of the aforementioned Lottery.

 

k)    A deal with “Live Nation”, The UKs biggest outdoor live music promoter, had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

51.

Capital Monitoring Report pdf icon PDF 593 KB

Minutes:

The report was introduced by Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) and seconded by Councillor Evans (The Leader of the Council).

 

Following contributions from Councillors Lugger, Briars-Delve, Noble, Nicholson the Council agreed to:

 

1.    Approve the Capital Monitoring Report.

 

For (49)

Councillors Allen, Mrs Beer, Bingley, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Carlyle, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Gilmour, Goslin, Harrison, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Hulme, Krizanac, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, Dr Mahony, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Nicholson, Noble, Partridge, Patel, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Rennie, Ricketts, Salmon, Smith, Sproston, Stephens, Stevens, Stoneman, Tippetts, Tuffin, Tuohy, Wakeham and Watkin.

 

Abstain (1)

Councillor Ricketts

 

Against (0)

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (5)

Councillors Aspinall, Dr Cree, Finn, Tofan and Shayer.

 

Councillors Finn and Tofan left the meeting at 14:54 and returned at 15:07.

 

52.

Withdrawal from the Heart of the South West Joint Committee pdf icon PDF 157 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The withdrawal notice was introduced by Councillor Evans OBE (The Leader of the Council) and seconded by Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance).

 

Following one contribution from Councillor Lugger, the Council agreed to:

 

1)    Withdraw from the Committee.

 

For (52)

Councillors Allen, Mrs Beer, Bingley, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Carlyle, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Finn, Gilmour, Goslin, Harrison, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Hulme, Krizanac, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, Dr Mahony, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Nicholson, Noble, Partridge, Patel, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Rennie, Ricketts, Salmon, Smith, Sproston, Stephens, Stevens, Stoneman, Tippetts, Tofan, Tuffin, Tuohy, Wakeham and Watkin.

 

Abstain (0)

 

Against (0)

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (3)

Councillors Aspinall, Dr Cree and Shayer.

 

53.

Violence Against Women and Girls pdf icon PDF 170 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report was introduced by Councillor Sally Haydon (Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Libraries, Cemeteries and Crematoria) and seconded by Councillor Reilly (Chair of Education and Children's Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee).

 

Following a contribution from Councillors Smith, Harrison, McLay, Loveridge, Poyser and Beer the Council agreed to:

 

1. Continue to endorse the City-wide ‘Strategy and Action Plan’.

 

For (52)

Councillors Allen, Mrs Beer, Bingley, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Carlyle, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Finn, Gilmour, Goslin, Harrison, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Hulme, Krizanac, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, Dr Mahony, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Nicholson, Noble, Partridge, Patel, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Rennie, Ricketts, Salmon, Smith, Sproston, Stephens, Stevens, Stoneman, Tippetts, Tofan, Tuffin, Tuohy, Wakeham and Watkin.

 

Abstain (0) Councillors

 

Against (0) Councillors

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (3)

Councillors Aspinall, Dr Cree and Shayer.

 

54.

Full Council Dates pdf icon PDF 163 KB

Minutes:

The report was introduced by Councillor Evans OBE (The Leader of the Council) and seconded by Councillor Sue Dann (Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Sport, Leisure & HR, and OD).

 

Council agreed to:

 

      I.        Approve the provisional Full Council Dates for 2024.

 

For (52)

Councillors Allen, Mrs Beer, Bingley, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Carlyle, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Finn, Gilmour, Goslin, Harrison, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Hulme, Krizanac, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, Dr Mahony, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Nicholson, Noble, Partridge, Patel, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Rennie, Ricketts, Salmon, Smith, Sproston, Stephens, Stevens, Stoneman, Tippetts, Tofan, Tuffin, Tuohy, Wakeham and Watkin.

 

Abstain (0)

 

Against (0)

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (3)

Councillors Aspinall, Dr Cree and Shayer.

 

Following the vote, Council adjourned for a period of 30 minutes.

 

55.

Motions on notice

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

56.

COP28 Climate and Ecology pdf icon PDF 65 KB

Minutes:

COP28: Climate and Ecology 

 

The motion was introduced by Councillor Briars-Delve (Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change) and seconded by Councillor Moore.

 

Councillor Stoneman proposed an amendment, which was seconded by Lee Finn. The amendment pertained to the wording of the motion, specifying the inclusion of a reference to the policies of the incumbent Westminster Administration.

 

After contributions from Councillor Briars-Delve and Councillor Finn, the amendment was not passed.

 

Following a discussion with contributions from Councillors Nicholson, Stoneman, Smith, Krizanac, Holloway, McLay, Cresswell and Lee, Council agreed to:

 

1.    Express disappointment that the Government has reversed key environmental commitments and did not use the King’s Speech to present urgent environmental legislation such as the Climate and Ecology Bill; 

2.    Request the Leader to write to Plymouth’s Members of Parliament, urging them to support the aforementioned calls of the Climate APPG before COP28; 

3.    Commit to tackling the climate and ecological emergencies locally by developing an updated Net Zero Action Plan with additional decarbonisation commitments, and a new ambitious Plan for Nature Recovery for Cabinet approval and Council endorsement.? 

 

For (35)

Councillors Allen, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Hulme, Krizanac, Lowry, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Nicholson, Noble, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Rennie, Sproston, Stephens, Stevens, Tippetts, Tuffin and Tuohy.

 

Abstain (16)

Councillors Bingley, Carlyle, Finn, Harrison, Lugger, Loveridge, Dr Mahony, Partridge, Patel, Ricketts, Salmon, Smith, Stoneman, Tofan, Wakeham and Ms Watkin.

 

Against (0) Councillors

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (4)

Councillors Aspinall, Dr Cree, Penberthy and Shayer.

 

57.

Improved Public Connectivity with Plymouth City Council pdf icon PDF 55 KB

Minutes:

The motion was introduced by Councillor Salmon and seconded by Councillor Lugger.

 

Following a discussion with contributions from Councillors Haydon, Penberthy, Nicholson & Dann, Councillor Dann proposed an amendment, seconded by Councillor Haydon. This amendment proposed the referral of the motion to the relevant scrutiny committee.

 

Councillor Dann additionally proposed a secondary amendment, seconded by Councillor Haydon to move to the closure of the vote.  

 

Following these two amendments, and conjecture from members of the chamber including Councillors Lugger, Penberthy and Dann to the clarity of the votes taking place in reference to the original motion and two amendments having been put forward, the meeting was adjourned for five minutes.

 

Following the vote regarding the closure motion, the amendment was passed.

 

The amendment to refer the motion to scrutiny was passed.

 

After summation by Councillor David Salmon, the council agreed to the amended motion to:

 

1.     Refer the motion to the relevant scrutiny committee.

 

For (48)

Councillors Allen, Mrs Beer, Bingley, Blight, Briars-Delve, Mrs Bridgeman, Carlyle, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Evans OBE, Finn, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Hulme, Krizanac, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, Dr Mahony, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Nicholson, Noble, Patel, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Rennie, Ricketts, Salmon, Smith, Sproston, Stephens, Stevens, Stoneman, Tippetts, Tofan, Tuffin, Tuohy, Wakeham and Watkin.

 

Abstain (0) Councillors

 

Against (0) Councillors

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (7) 

Councillors Aspinall, Dr Cree, Dingle, Harrison, Holloway, Partridge, and Shayer.

 

Councillors Holloway, Dingle and Partridge Left the meeting at the conclusion of this Motion on Notice.

 

58.

Transparency of Councillors Casework to the public pdf icon PDF 55 KB

Minutes:

The motion was introduced by Councillor Stephen Hulme and seconded by Councillor Mrs Terri Beer.

 

Following a discussion with contributions from Councillors Dann and Penberthy Council, the motion was not passed.

 

For (4) Councillors Mrs. Beer, Mrs. Bridgeman, Hulme, Nicholson.

 

Abstain (0) Councillors

 

Against (45) Councillors

Councillors Allen, Bingley, Blight, Briars-Delve, Carlyle, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Evans OBE, Finn, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Harrison, Hendy, Krizanac, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, Dr Mahony, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Murphy, Noble, Patel, Penberthy, Penrose, Poyser, Raynsford, Reilly, Rennie, Ricketts, Salmon, Smith, Sproston, Stephens, Stevens, Stoneman, Tippetts, Tofan, Tuffin, Tuohy, Wakeham and Watkin.

 

Absent/Did Not Vote (6)

Councillors Aspinall, Dr Cree, Dingle, Holloway, Partridge, and Shayer.

 

59.

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.

Minutes:

#

From

To

Subject

1

Cllr Stoneman

Cllr

Coker

Should the Council be supporting infrastructure around schools enabling pupils and students to walk to school?

Response: Yes.            

Supplementary: Would Councillor Coker meet with Councillor Stoneman to discuss areas of the city that have expressed concerns?

Response: Yes.

2

Cllr Harrison

Cllr Briars-Delve

There had been lots of complaints received regarding bins damaged by council staff. Was there a mechanism to ensure residents are not expected to pay £25 for a replacement or for one to be fixed?

Response: Yes, this could be flagged online or through Councillor’s Casework. Damaged public bins are also available to be flagged in this manner and have a unique numerical identifier. 

3

Cllr Rennie

Cllr

Haydon

There are large numbers of take away drivers in private cars who are not insured or licenced in the correct way. Are you aware that this is the case and that drivers require correct insurance to undertake this job?

Response: Yes. I am aware of this. Drivers require a specific type of insurance referred to as “carriage of good insurance”. If drivers do not have this insurance, they would be liable. Enforcement of this would fall under a police matter. Furthermore, this is an issue that will be debated in commons.

Supplementary:  Would there be any beneficial quality to speak with relevant authorities in parliament or the Department for Transport to further knowledge and regulation of this matter, specifically when a licensing application is made?

Response: Yes, there would be, and Councillor Rennie would be included in future conversations.

4

Cllr Stephens

Cllr

Cresswell

This authority has been challenged to meet the needs of Childrens with additional health, education, or disability needs. Despite these additional needs, most children would not need to be educated in a special needs school.

 

Besides the added Capital and Transportation costs, children with special needs deserve to be educated within their community to develop a sense of belonging and forge friendships.

 

What actions could be enacted to make this happen within our community?

Response: Issues around Children with SEND (Special Needs and Disabilities) and SEND sufficiency is something that is currently being developed within a comprehensive plan. Key, as well, is the issue of early intervention- early identification has been a key part of Labour’s improvement planning and ensures children can be maintained in mainstream schools.

 

A cultural shift would also be required, which would allow for greater community inclusion and to inspire confidence teachers and support staff to be able to work effectively with SEND children within mainstream schooling. This would require services, resources and training and would inspire confidence in parents and carers, putting less pressure on the seeking of EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plan) and places in special schools.

 

Finally, this has been incorporated as part of SEND sufficiency planning, taking advantage of any fall in primary roles, using things like pods or specialist provisions within existing mainstream schools. This does bring inclusion to the heart of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.