From

To

Subject

1

Cllr Tippetts

Councillor Laing

Does the Cabinet Member believe that £50,000 represents good value for money for a logo that bears similarity to the BBC Weather sunrise symbol?

Response: The £50,000 expenditure was not solely for a logo, but rather covered an 18?month programme to reimagine Plymouth’s brand. This included extensive consultation with partners and residents across the city, working with DNCO, a company with international experience, including rebranding San Francisco. The branding work had been well received, and framing the cost as being only for a logo misrepresented the scope and value of the work undertaken.

2

Cllr Raynsford

Councillor Haydon

As the city begins the 16 Days of Action campaign, could the Cabinet Member outline what action was being taken by the Council to embed prevention of violence against women and girls into Council policies, workplaces, schools, and colleges?

Response: Since the Violence Against Women and Girls Commission in 2023, the Council had embedded prevention work throughout its services. Initiatives include the Safe Bus operating on Saturday nights and during major events and extensive multi?agency working. The Council continues to work with partners to ensure Plymouth takes a clear stance against violence against women and girls.

Supplementary: Would the Cabinet Member encourage residents to participate in activities during the 16 Days of Action?

Response: Yes. Residents were encouraged to visit the Council’s website where a comprehensive programme of events, training, and activities were listed. Participation was strongly encouraged.

3

Cllr Allen

Councillor Laing

With the success of recent exhibitions at The Box, would the 2026 programme continue to build on visitor numbers?

Response: Yes. Major exhibitions were planned, including a Beryl Cook exhibition starting in January 2026, which was already heavily subscribed, and the arrival of Journeys with Mai, a world?famous Joshua Reynolds painting, in February 2026. These exhibitions were expected to make 2026 the strongest year yet for The Box.

4

Cllr Wood

Cllr Stephens

When would the full Manadon Roundabout consultation report be shared with ward members, following previous assurances?

Response: There had been a high level of engagement and a substantial volume of feedback. Officers were currently reviewing responses, with the aim of publishing the consultation results before Christmas 2025, outlining the next steps in the project.

Supplementary: Would the Cabinet Member be willing to attend a local meeting with affected residents prior to Christmas 2025?

Response: Yes. While some meetings were being held as listening sessions, they were happy to arrange a suitable meeting time with ward councillors and residents.

5

Cllr Poyser

Cllr Penberthy

Given ongoing complaints regarding the condition of Guinness Trust properties, would the Cabinet Member meet to discuss how the Council might support affected residents?

Response: The Council normally becomes involved after the landlord complaints process and the Housing Ombudsman process were completed. While happy to meet, residents should first pursue the formal complaint route. If issues remain unresolved following an Ombudsman ruling, the Council could then intervene in line with national practice.

6

Cllr Ricketts

Cllr Laing

Had a response been received to the letter sent following the previous motion concerning asylum hotels?

Response: An answer would be provided back to you as soon as possible as the information was not known.

7

Cllr Cuddihee

Cllr Haydon

What was the Cabinet Member’s view on the Government’s proposal to abolish the Police and Crime Commissioner role, and how might this affect Plymouth?

Response: The proposal was welcomed. The Police and Crime Commissioner model had been costly and ineffective, and removing it should allow funding to be redirected to frontline policing. The decision had also been supported by national policing bodies and the Police Federation.

8

Cllr M. Smith

Cllr Laing

Could the Leader comment on recent defence sector investment in Plymouth, including the Helsing factory opening?

Response: Plymouth’s designation as the National Centre for Marine Autonomy had been pivotal. The Helsing facility would create hundreds of jobs and produce autonomous subsea technology. Credit was given to the Council’s Economic Development and Freeport teams, as well as the local MP, for supporting this growth.

9

Cllr McLay

Cllr Penberthy

With the Plymouth City of Sanctuary charter now inactive, what steps were being taken to support refugees and vulnerable people?

Response: The Council continued extensive behind?the?scenes support, focusing on practical assistance rather than formal charters, following guidance from refugee and community organisations.

Supplementary: Could further detail be provided on this support?

Response: Over £600,000 had been invested into supporting more than 40 organisations, alongside continued engagement, listening work, and partnership activity.

Support included funding community organisations, joint working with partners, engagement with minority communities, and regular meetings to understand and respond to emerging concerns, with a commitment to ongoing dialogue and action.

10

Cllr Noble

Cllr Aspinall

A great deal was learnt through the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel about the role of end-of-life care in the city. At the end of the month, Marie Curie was holding a “Light to Remember” event. This was an opportunity to talk more about the importance of celebrating the work of end-of-life care providers such as Marie Curie and St Luke’s Hospice here in the city.

Response: As you’re well aware, the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel shared a significant amount of information about end-of-life care in Plymouth. One of the key points was the pilot being delivered by Marie Curie in Cllr Noble’s ward. The Cabinet Member had not yet received the final results of that pilot,but would follow up. It included social prescribing alongside medical interventions, which was extremely encouraging.

Following Cllr Noble’s email, she had approached Councillor Laing to ask whether Smeaton’s Tower could be lit, and she kindly agreed.

This weekend, on 30 November 2025, Smeaton’s Tower would be illuminated in yellow, the Marie Curie colours. There would also be an event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, where friends, families, and members of the public were invited to come together to remember loved ones they had lost.

While it might have been a difficult and emotional occasion for some, it would also be a valuable and supportive experience for others. Importantly, people did not have to have used Marie Curie services to attend. The event would run from approximately 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm. The Cabinet Member would encourage anyone who felt it might be beneficial to attend, come along and look out for the yellow illumination.

11

Cllr Wood

Cllr Haydon

The Crownhill Christmas lights switch on, would not be taking place in 2025. The main reason for this was the cost of hosting the event, including the cost of putting up and replacing the lights.

Part of that cost related to road closures. To close a road for a Category 1 or Category 2 event on the highway cost £644.

Was there any scope for us to do something differently for events like this, which were really positive for the community? Was there anything the Council could do to reduce or remove those costs? Were there any provisions in place that the event organisers might not be aware of?

Response: Lights were going up across the city. Cllr Haydon suggested they had a discussion outside of the meeting to explore options. It might be that community grant funding could be used, and Councillors could consider applying for that as that is what Councillor’s had been done in the past in St Budeaux.

10

Cllr Steel

Cllr Haydon

What role could men play in tackling violence against women and girls?

Response: Men and boys were encouraged to participate in programmes such as Man Culture, men could challenge inappropriate behaviour, and actively speak out against violence and sexism. Training opportunities were available year?round via the Council’s website.

11

Cllr Sproston

Cllr Stephens

Was there an update on progress toward a pedestrian crossing at Budshead Road near Whitleigh Green?

Response: Funding had been allocated through the Active Travel capital programme. A new signal?controlled crossing was planned, with construction expected to begin in spring 2026.