Councillor Tudor Evans OBE (The Leader of the Council) delivered the Local Government Reorganisation (LGA) update and discussed:

a)    The Leader was looking forward to the arrival of Councillor Louise Gittins (LGA Chair) to Plymouth shortly, and the opportunity to discuss the LGA’s response to the new Local Government English Devolution Community Empowerment Bill;

b)    The LGA was currently required to balance unitary, county and district councils, whilst simultaneously managing the transition towards unitary authorities, which presented a challenge;

c)    The LGA had made a statement that: “It is critical that the full breadth, diversity and capability of local government is recognised and all councils are enabled to play a meaningful role as partners and, where appropriate, as part of strategic authorities in driving growth, improving services, and improving the lives of our residents”. This was particularly important for Plymouth who were undergoing a journey towards Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and a Strategic Mayoral Authority;

d)    The government had launched an Election Strategy Paper, which aimed to remove barriers to participation, including expanding the franchise to include 16 year olds. The Bill was designed to encourage participation in politics and elections, and redress a climate of hostility which had developed in recent years. This was evidenced by significant abuse directed toward candidates and councillors during the recent Mayoral Campaign;

e)    The rise of hostilities had discouraged many candidates from entering public service and representing their communities. This was concerning, and required action;

f)     The LGA had formed a coalition on grassroots sports funding, designed to ensure that the £400 million announced by the Government for grassroots sports was delivered to vital community facilities provided by local Councils and partners, such as:

I.              Leisure centres;

II.            Swimming pools;

III.           Local gyms.

g)    The LGA were campaigning for recognition of the role of grassroots sports facilities for preventative health, with closures likely to have long-term impacts for the Health Service;

h)    The LGA had published new research on the growing need and funding pressures for home-school transport. The research explored opportunities for future policy change in the context of potential wider reforms to the SEND system. It was important that progress was monitored, and that Plymouth City Council (PCC) fed back evidence of ‘lived experience’;

i)     10 new Reform Councils were considering scrapping home-school transport. Cutting off parent’s and children’s access to school as not the answer, and pressures were instead attributed to market failure and excess costs;

j)     The Mayoral Referendum had now concluded. Councillor Evans OBE thanked Council staff for their work organising and conducting the referendum, despite low public support and challenging legislation;

k)    The legislation applying to local referendums varied significantly to that of local council and national elections. This had resulted in significant intimidation and toxicity, with campaigns not required to formally register, nor file financial accounts. Campaigning had occurred outside of polling stations, and councillors had received unacceptable abuse. It was hoped that councillors would never have to endure a similar event, and the Audit and Governance Committee would look to recommend appropriate legislative changes to Government;

l)     The Council would clearly set out the rules and expectations of candidates, agents and campaigns ahead of the next local elections.