From  

(Councillor) 

To 

(Councillor) 

Subject 

1 

Councillor Steel 

Councillor Laing 

I understand the new family’s first children services team is going live today. Can you explain what this will mean in terms of how children’s social care teams will work with children and families? 

Response: The team did launch today and it’s gone really well so far, it’s a really brilliant development. It’s the new multidisciplinary team which includes the multi-agency safeguarding hub which we call the MASH. The team who previously provided our out of hours response. It’s been developed to respond to concerns and referrals where children and families need more help or protection. The hours have been widened so it will now be running from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday – Friday and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. Outside of these hours, an emergency duty service will be on call, reviewing any overnight inquiries, to ensure children at immediate risk of significant harm, urgent adult safeguarding risks and immediate risk of homelessness get an urgent response.  

If a member of the public or a professional thinks a family needs more help or has a safeguarding concern about a child or a young person, they can contact the family’s first team on 0175266800. The number is available 24/7. The service will be using a conversation based approach to support information sharing and decision making. 

The newly extended hours will mean that professionals including teachers, police officers and health staff are able to get advice and support at a time that suits them. It will also mean that children, families and vulnerable adults will get supported with the right help at the right time. 

2 

Councillor Penrose 

Councillor Evans OBE 

With the University of Plymouth proposing significant redundancies in academic staff, and including closures in the public facing arts provision, ie. The gallery and the cinema. Do you feel that this would be a good opportunity to bring together the heads of these institutions and possibly with the inclusion of Marjons, to have a conversation about what the city needs. This matter affects our culture plan, so it’s time for a collaborative move thinking about how we safeguard these amenities, so that we can achieve the civic provision that we desire. 

Response: The three universities play such an important and active part in civic life within the City and it’s difficult to imagine what life would be like without them. 

They play a large part in culture as stated by Councillor Penrose, they play a large part in our growth board, for growth alliance Plymouth, for destination Plymouth and also, our ambitious plans for economic development. We must remember that the volunteering the university students do is invaluable. I think the suggestion that we convene with them, is a very good idea. Whether individual universities would want to discuss their individual problems with us, and with each other, remains to be seen. A discussion about how we move forward is incredibly important and I thank you for raising it today. 

3 

Councillor Freeman 

Councillor Evans OBE 

Would you like to join me in paying respect to Mr Steve Hornton who tragically passed away on the 11th of April this year at the young age of 63. Mr Hornton was a Devonport resident who was a part of the Devonport 5. He helped create dreams for the people of Devonport. Such as, the New Deal for communities funding and DRC partnership. This is thanked to the Labour government at the time. The funding program went on for 10 years, to regenerate Devonport and had substantial wide-reaching benefits for the whole of Plymouth. The impact that the Devonport 5 have made can still be seen in the area today and across Plymouth. 

Response: I remember those names very well, I have paid tribute to John Prescott in the past who invented the New Deal for communities, and to people like Chris Watts who notably worked on Pembroke Street. It goes back to where you live, Councillor Freeman and those days. They worked very hard at a time when Devonport was not the best place in the city to live for a number of reasons. They believed in the power of community and they knew that given the chance, they could do something special, which they have. Speaking to Linda Gilroy, who did so much behind the scenes, to help achieve funding. Not only has there been a physical rebuilding of Devonport, but also the emotional, spiritual and community building, has taken place there. I’m sad to hear the news that Steve has passed, he was an incredible individual and the best of Devonport. 

4 

Councillor McNamara 

Councillor Laing 

Some people think of Youth centers as an old-fashioned concept, but I know that exciting things are happening in my ward of Efford. Can you tell me what we can expect when the refit work is completed? 

Response: I am very excited about what is happening in Efford. Thanked to £1.2 million in funding from sources including the Youth Investement Fund, Climate Emergency Impact Fund, and essential maintenance budgets, we’ve not only saved a valued community asset, but we are future-proofing it. Worn out, old equipment is being replaced by modern resources, computers, incredible sports gear, music and cooking facilities. Young people in Efford will have access to a broader range of activities than they’ve ever had before. This is a smart, sustainable, future-facing investment, helping young people in Efford and beyond, to thrive. I’mvery excited about this and I can’t wait for myself, Councillor McNamara, Councillor Murphy and Councillor Hendy to go and pay our first visit when it opens. 

5 

Councillor Tippetts 

Councillor Laing 

We are both passionate about the children and how they are looked after within the City, and the fantastic contribution that they make to life here. We are both passionate about finding them their forever homes. I was disappointed when back in April, the government announced a 40% cut to the amount available for each child from the annual £50 million pound adoption and special guardianship support fund. I was wondering if she could update us on any conversations that she’s had with any government ministers expressing Plymouth’s disappointment in this and for any updates on movement regarding this topic? 

Response: I have asked this question myself and when I get a response, I will be happy to share with you Councillor Tippetts. 

6 

Councillor Ricketts 

Councillor Evans OBE 

There is a large Palestinian flag hanging over Jewish graves in Central Park. Why is the Labour government doing nothing about it? 

Response from Councillor Evans OBE: I was not aware of this, how long has the flag been there and why have you not written a letter to me before this making me aware of this? 

Response from Councillor Ricketts: I’m surprised your Peverell Councillors have not made you aware of this sooner. It’s been all over social media, and it’s a big issue. I’ve been liaising with the planning and enforcement department via email and phone, who have said that there are two options. One of them is to pursue planning enforcement which they have the power to do, and the other is to do nothing. I urge you to do something, this is disrespectful for a myriad of reason. Will you take action? 

Response from Councillor Evans: I can provided you a response from Councillor Penberthy if this is acceptable? 

Response from Councillor Penberthy: I raised the issue of the flag being there just after the Hamas incursion into Israel and I have been talking to members of both communities, at that time, and since. I think personally, that the family has chosen to raise the flag there has shown total insensitivity, and I understand the disrespect and anger caused as a result of this. However, there are questions around legality and enforcement and what can and can’t be enforced. We have received advice from a Jewish legal firm where we are being briefed this week on this, if we can get the flag down, we will do so. I will not commit vandalism, I don’t think it should be there, you are misrepresenting the situation as you are reacting to the posts via Social Media and not the ongoing discussions that we have been very sensitively been having with both the Jewish and Palestinian communities in the City. 

7 

Councillor Noble 

Councillor Briars-Delve 

Lots of people in my ward were enjoying some of the conservation activities and the animal hour that happened in half term and the urban tree festival we had a couple weeks ago. I am seeing adverts for the Big Green Trail, can you tell me how my residents can get involved in this? 

Response: The Big Green Trail is an annual event, it’s led by the Council’s net zero team and thanked to the help of some incredible officers in the behaviour change department. The event is going ahead in a couple of week’s time, on a Saturday and it’s being held at six sites across the City with both indoor and outdoor venues. There is over 40 local organisations and businesses involved and it’s all about family friendly activities to engage people with climate rated discussions. We will be celebrating the winners of the climate legends competition which is a great grassroots example. I’ll make sure that an invitation is circulated to everyone here today. 

8 

Councillor Wood 

Councillor Evans OBE 

Were the Council’s proposals for local government reform enacted as you noted earlier? Also, were Plymouth to vote in favour of the referendum to have a directly elected mayor/leader, have we had guidance from Government as to whether that elected position would remain in place or not, in the new Council’s government arrangements? 

Response: We’ve raised this issue as there will be a number of people in a slightly modestly expanded Plymouth, about 30,000 people, will have had no say in the referendum at all, where some people have been left out. We have had no guidance but we will continue to raise this as we understand that this is an issue. If I say to people outside of Plymouth that, they will be given a vote in this due to timing of the LGR, it will be out of kilter with the referendum. The people outside will be ruled by somebody, that they have no say in electing. 

Response from Councillor Wood: Are the Council’s proposals for local government reform only being developed for the initial preferred option, or is the Council continuing to investigate and assess multiple options, so we can generate additional evidence such as service provision, amendment of contracts, change of employment and finances, in order to create a fuller picture of what the public would prefer, through the consultation currently advertised and anything in the future? 

Response from Councillor Evans: It’sreally important when we are building a case for the October/Novemeber submission of our case; that we can demonstrate firstly by ability. We are not considering alternatives, we are pressing ahead with what was agreed in the chamber a few weeks ago, there are things changing outside of Plymouth with a new administration in Devon and Cornwall. These things are affecting our related but separate discussions around metro mayors and combined authority mayors which was raised by yourself at the last meeting we had. Our case remains sound, we had successful meetings with Parish Councils, both chairs and town clerks there which has given us insight into the needs of those communities but we need to do more. I’ve met with a number of district council leaders in South Hams to talk about these issues. Every conversation gives us new insight into the desires of the communities, which I outlined earlier on. We’re a viable local authority that provideds excellent services.  

9 

Councillor Raynsford 

Councillor Briars-Delve 

I’ve had multiple emails with concerns raised from residents about disposable barbecues, and the damage that they do to the Hoe and Devil’s Point. There are wider issues in that, they could start a grass fire for short dry grass. We lost a couple bins last year due to the barbecues being thrown in there. What can we do to highlight, prevent and discourage the use of these barbecues? 

Response: First of all, I agree with your concerns raised by yourself and the Hoe neighbourhood forum. I visited there recently with Cabinet and stood next to Smeaton’s Tower. The Hoe is the jewel of Plymouth and it’s a shame to see the damage that these barbecues can have on our environment. I’ll share my most recent correspondence with officers around this issue, there are two sides of this, as it is an Environment issues as well as a Parks issue, and a legal aspect. If we were to go down the PSPO route to show that there is a sufficient level of harm for us to do that, we can do through this process. The primary concern isn’t for aesthetic, even though it is important for areas like the Hoe. The reality is that it can create fires, such as the one last year with Mt Edgecumbe, and this is really alarming. I’ll update you privately with the correspondence I’ve had directly with officers. 

10 

Councillor M Smith 

Councillor Briars-Delve 

Residents in Higher Compton had access to a really lovely green space named Bedford Park, years ago now, it was closed off by the on-site care home. There was an agreement to keep access for the public but over time, the gates have been closed and access has been restricted. I wonder if there is an update on what progress has been made? 

Response: I commend your tenacity on this topic, this is a case that has been going on for years, if not decades now. It has been complicated over the last year by a change of ownership, of Green Acres care home. The previous owner had correspondence with the Council regarding this, so we had to start fresh with the new owner. The new owner does not live in Plymouth and Green Acres are maintaining that the owner needs to have an in-person conversation with the Council around these issues, which has made diarising essentially impossible. It has been reiterated to the Service Director that this is made a priority. I share your passion for the right to roam and the views of the residents, there are complexities about seeking a resolution but hopefully both of the arguments can be addressed. 

11 

Councillor Ricketts 

Councillor Stephens 

On Central Park Avenue, there is a mess in the walkway, where the drainage has been going on for four/five years. We had meetings but progress has been slow. Could you please pick this up with other Cabinet members as this is a point of frustration for multiple Councillors? 

Response: Thank you for bringing this up, I will pick this up with Councillor Holloway. I believe the issue has been passed to the Chief Executive’s Office because it’s a corporate property issue. But I’ll assure you, I will follow this up to gain a greater understanding of the situation. 

12 

Councillor Poyser 

Councillor Stephens 

I am getting concerns raised regarding traffic in the east of the City, from residents. I understand that we have the expansion of Sherford as well. Can we organise a briefing sessions with officers, to go over sustainable transport in these areas? I understand that there are cycle bridges coming in, how can we alleviate or improve transport in the area? 

Response: There is a commitment within the Sherford plan for the consortium to provided a Park and Ride. This is to avoid residents travelling through built-up areas such as Derriford or the Dockyard. I will be happy to arrange a meeting with you, to get a clearer understanding of progress to be made now and in the future. 

Response from Councillor Poyser: There is also on the other side of the A38, lots of traffic coming in and out of Langage, Glenn Road, Steer Park Road. Can we focus in these areas too? Thank you. 

13 

Councillor Cuddihee 

Councillor Aspinall 

I’m impressed at the speed of the construction work on the diagnostic center at Colin Campbell Court. Can we have an update of when it will be operational? 

Response: I was there about a month ago and the foundations are still ongoing. As far as we are aware, it should be up and running by roughly next September. There is always the possibility of delays occurring but I’m very fortunate as the team keep me updated and I visit regularly. It will be a brilliant development, taking pressure of Derriford and will be essential for the people within the City. It was reassuring to know that the ICB, had made sure that there were the funds available to carry on the work and of course, there will be jobs available as a result of the build which is a positive.  

14 

Councillor Ricketts 

Councillor Evans OBE 

Why are Labour councillors from the Plymouth Knows Better campaign consistently posting that Labour will be scrapping City Mayors? 

Response: I am not running the no to a Mayor campaign, it’s a cross party campaign. There are 13 city mayors in the country, this is an important statistic. Most of them, are based in the Southeast of England near London. The white paper came out a while ago, it stated within the letter that the devolution model featuring single authority mayors are going” Do you have different legislation that you can quote? 

Response from Councillor Ricketts: Things can happen before that gets enacted. To say that city mayors may be scrapped is factually incorrect.