Councillor Coker (Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport) made the following announcements:

a)     Extended thanks to staff for their fantastic efforts during difficult and dangerous circumstances stemming from Storm Darragh. The CCTV control team fielded 60 police requests for information, 29 trees fell onto highways, there were various road closures, four traffic lights were rendered non-operational, two streetlights had collapsed, road traffic furniture had spread across the highways and needed to be replaced, a wall collapsed and the team were left with over 80 pieces of further casework;

b)    Extended a thanks to the public for heeding weather and ‘do not travel’ warnings;

c)     The Council had been awarded £4.5 million for better bus services across England for the year 25/26. This was the largest bus service improvement plan funding the department had ever received. The funding would be used wholly within Plymouth;

d)    The Laira Bridge Walking and Cycling Route had been recently opened. The renovation work had seen 194 metres of decking laid upon galvanised channelling, which had presented difficulties and caused delays. New lighting designs were now being sort for the bridge.

e)     The Planning Team had won the project award for excellence in Planning at the Royal Town Planning Institute Awards for the Melville Place development and also came commended in Excellence in Planning for a Successful Economy. The judge commented “the project is an exceptional example of a genuinely plan-led scheme resulting in a high quality, sustainable mixed use project. It demonstrates strong leadership and highlights how excellent partnership-working is significant to excess. The sustainably-led approach to creating this state-of-the-art building has resulted in impressive space for all to enjoy, promoting heritage and culture in its highest form”

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) made the following announcements:

f)      Enabling works were completed on the Community Diagnostic Centre at Colin Campbell Court. It was planned to be approximately 15 to 18 months before the completion of the project.

g)     The Armada Way project was progressing well, at forecasted cost. Works on Mayflower Street and the Subways to North Cross were significantly underway with releveling and pipe works being undertaken for the Sub-Urban Drainage Scheme (SUDS).

h)    Refurbishment works were in conversation for the Civic Centre building and interior ‘clean-up’ jobs had been completed. 22 architects across the country had expressed an interest in working with the Council. The tendering process would start soon.

Councillor Haydon (Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Libraries, Events, Cemeteries and Crematoria) made the following announcements:

i)      Summer Session festival was to operate again over four days from 25 June 2025 and would include acts such as “The Cause”;

j)      The Santa Fun Run had taken place on 08 December with a record number of 804 participants, raising money for charity;

Councillor Laing (Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children's Social Care, Culture and Communications) made the following announcements:

k)     A team from The Box had attended number 10 and 11 Downing Street to celebrate the 125^th year of government art. They were joined by Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP and Sir Chris Bryant MP;

l)      Recent History Day was to be held on 11 January at The Box. The institute was looking for residents to attend and tell their own stories from Devonport;

m)   Following the Executive Decision on 29 November, Children’s Services were now actively identifying suitable properties to purchase for the development of two children’s homes in Plymouth;

n)    In terms of Foster Carer recruitment, the Plymouth HR team and managers from Children's Services attended a national social work job fair on 25 November. The stall drew a lot of interest and potential candidates are being followed up including holding an online event 10 December.

Councillor Briars-Delve (Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change) made the following announcements:

o)    The Council submitted an application to the national government’s Warm Homes Local Grant and were anticipating receiving £9 million to improve the energy performance by retrofitting more than 700 low-income homes over the next three years.

p)    Tree planting season was underway, with over 2000 trees due to be planted over the Winter. Numerous types of trees were to be planted, with the ‘right tree for the right location’ a central concern of the programme.

Councillor Cresswell (Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships) made the following announcements:

q)    An early adopter scheme for primary school aged children undertaking free breakfast clubs would commence in April 2025. The DfE was looking for 750 early adopter schools. Participating schools would be funded to provide access to a Universal Breakfast Club lasting at least 30 minutes and was intended to target belonging and enjoyment in school.