Councillor Dann (Cabinet Member for Customer Experience, Sport, Leisure and HR and OD) introduced her announcements and discussed:

 

a)    Plymouth’s selection as one of Sport England’s priority places, following five years of collaboration through the Pathfinder project. The initiative focused on supporting children and young people facing challenges by promoting physical activity to improve emotional and physical health, school attendance, behaviour, and concentration. A £1.8 million award had been secured, with a delivery plan and public relations campaign forthcoming;

 

b)    The Summer Fit and Fed programme, which delivered 17,851 free spaces across 93 holiday clubs with 58 delivery partners. Over 2,500 free packed lunches were distributed at four community park events. Councillor Dann shared two testimonials highlighting the programme’s impact on children with specific needs and the broader benefits to families and communities;

 

c)    National recognition for Plymouth Diving, with Oliver, Amelia, and Harry selected for the Swim England Junior Development Squad. Oliver was also selected for the Aquatics GP World Class Programme for 2025–26;

 

d)    Plymouth Active Leisure’s shortlisting for the National Swim England Awards in the Pioneering Operator category, recognising innovative approaches to aquatics including open water swimming and inclusive programming for young people and carers;

 

e)    Increased usage of Plymouth’s outdoor pools, with 41,000 visits to Tinside Lido (up 64% from the previous year) and 37,500 visits to Mount Wise (up 44%). The Swim Safe programme reached 2,750 young people;

 

f)     A new pilot partnership between the Council’s Active Wellbeing Team and Derriford Hospital’s physiotherapy department, relocating weekly treatment clinics to the Life Centre to improve access and demonstrate the link between physical activity and health outcomes;

 

g)    Recognition of coach Jackie Floyd, shortlisted in the Fitness Heroes category of the UK Active Awards for work with individuals with special needs;

 

h)    Continuation of youth swim evenings through the winter using indoor spaces, following the seasonal closure of outdoor pools.

 

Councillor Cresswell (Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships) discussed:

 

i)     Plymouth’s success at the National SEND Awards 2025, winning the Co-Production Award for supported internships. Six internships had been delivered, with further growth anticipated;

 

j)     Runner-up recognition for SEND Resource of the Year, celebrating the development of the graduated approach and resource directory led by Lisa McDonald (Head of Service). The awards highlighted Plymouth’s leadership in inclusive education and the city’s growing reputation for best practice nationally;

 

k)    Plans to present the awards at Discovery College and at the next Full Council meeting.

 

Councillor Laing (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, Culture and Communications) discussed:

 

l)     The premiere of “The Run”, a national fostering awareness film launched on 9 October. The film, produced in partnership with over 90 local authority fostering services and CAN Digital, aimed to highlight the urgent need for foster carers in Plymouth. The emotional narrative followed an 11-year-old boy navigating adversity and finding hope through sport. Councillor Laing encouraged viewers to consider fostering and praised the film’s impact;

 

(A video was played at this time): https://youtu.be/uvJfnWRecIw?si=HkSaj3tphsXEQ69I)

 

m)  The fifth anniversary of The Box, Plymouth’s museum and cultural centre. Key achievements included:

                     i.  50% of visitors being Plymouth residents;

                    ii.  72,000 international visitors;

                   iii.  Over 40,000 schoolchildren welcomed;

                   iv.  £28 million economic contribution to the Plymouth economy;

                    v.  100,000 volunteer hours, valued at £1.1 million;

                   vi.  £43 million in estimated health benefits for adults over 50;

                  vii.  £49 million in estimated health benefits for adults aged 30–49;

                 viii.  250,000 visits by under-25s;

 

n)    The launch of the new exhibition season, including Grayson Perry’s “Vanity of Small Differences” tapestries and works from the British Council and the Centre for Contemporary Art in Gda?sk;

 

o)    The Box’s selection for the DCMS Museum Renewal Fund and its role as Museum in Residence at 10 Downing Street, with works by Stanley Spencer, Jack Pickup, and Alfred Wallis displayed in the Prime Minister’s residence.

 

Councillor Haydon (Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Events, Libraries, Cemeteries and Crematoria) discussed:

 

p)    Hate Crime Awareness Week 2025, emphasising Plymouth’s commitment to dignity, respect, and justice. The campaign encouraged collective action to challenge hate crime across all settings;

 

q)    Bonfire Night on the Hoe, scheduled for 05 November 2025. The free event included a fairground (from 4pm), catering (from 5pm), bonfire lighting (7pm), and fireworks (7:30pm) provided by Sonic Fireworks. The event would be sponsored by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership;

 

r)    Remembrance Sunday on 09 November 2025 and the city centre Christmas lights switch-on on 13 November;

 

s)     The Remembrance poppy display at the Park crematorium, with thanks given to Councillor Pauline Murphy and local knitting groups for their work.

 

Councillor Stephens (Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport) discussed:

 

t)     Interim results from the Transport Focus “Your Bus Journey” survey undertaken in Plymouth had been released. Plymouth was one of over 50 local authorities who undertook the survey to support the Plymouth Enhanced Bus Partnership and monitor the Bus Service Improvement plan.

 

u)    The data suggested that the work of the partnership and investment in public transport and infrastructure in Plymouth was having a positive impact. Plymouth scored:

                     i.  89% overall satisfaction (2% above urban average, 5% above national average);

                    ii.  81% satisfaction with wait times;

                   iii.  84% satisfaction with punctuality;

                   iv.  88% satisfaction with journey length;

                    v.  89% satisfaction with bus drivers;

 

v)    Acknowledgement of a temporary service issue in September 2025, which had now been resolved;

 

w)   Final survey results were expected in spring 2026.

 

Councillor Lowry (Cabinet Member for Finance) discussed:

 

x)    Improvements in city centre retail, with the number of empty premises reduced from 100 to 64 over the past year. This brought Plymouth below the national average vacancy rate;

 

y)    New businesses included ProCook, Victoria Beauty, Alpha supermarket and café, and The Green Room coffee shop. Refits at Waterstones, H&M, and Holland & Barrett signalled retailer confidence. Drakes Circus and The Barcode were almost fully let;

 

z)    Increased events and footfall in the city centre, with three times more events than the previous year;

 

aa)  Progress on the next phase of the Armada Way regeneration project, with works on schedule and budget.

 

Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities) discussed:

 

bb)A new housing partnership project between Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Community Homes, supported by Homes England funding. The £33.5 million scheme would deliver 135 affordable homes (including 80 for social rent) in the Millbay regeneration area, with communal gardens and commercial units;

 

cc)   A new partnership with Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA), aiming to deliver 63 affordable homes over five years. BCHA would invest an initial £7 million, with the Council contributing £1 million and seeking £10 million in Homes England grants. The homes would include general needs, specialist, and supported accommodation;

 

dd) The partnership built on BCHA’s existing work supporting 240 households in Plymouth, including those with additional needs and refugee families.

 

Councillor Aspinall (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care) discussed:

 

ee)The launch of the “Plymouth Protects” vaccination campaign, supported by posters in wellbeing hubs, libraries, and newsletters targeting carers, older adults, and those with long-term health conditions;

 

ff)    A myth-busting Q&A by the Director of Public Health would be published in the Chronicle next month, expected to reach over 90,000 homes;

 

gg)  A social media campaign was live, with over 72,000 views since September 2025;

 

hh)Outreach clinics were available throughout the city for residents to attain their vaccinations;

 

ii)    Access had been expanded to flu vaccines for 2–3 year olds via pharmacies;

 

jj)    The “Aging Well” event at Tinside Lido, marking the International Day of Older Persons and the Lido’s 90th anniversary. Over 50 organisations attended, with reflections from Professor Steve Madden and performances by the Southway Glee Club. The event celebrated social connection and pledged continued work toward an age-friendly city.