(a)

congratulated Felix Munkuli on being the first winner of the Children and Young Person’s Social Worker of the Year and presented the silver cup, purchased in memory of the late former councillors Gladys May and William Tucker, to him.  In future the annual presentation would be made at the staff awards;   

(b)

thanked councillors for their service prior to the next City Council and European Elections on 22 May 2014. In particular she thanked Councillors David Haydon and Grant Monahan who would not be standing for re-election and paid tribute to them for their many years of service to the City Council.   She also wished everyone  well who was standing in the local election and encouraged the public to use their vote in both the City Council and European elections.   

(c)

referred to the recent publication of Network Rail’s Five Year Investment Plan in Railways and highlighted the omission of the far South West of England. Although the existing, Victorian main line at Dawlish was re-opening, the campaign for a fast, resilient railway needed to be continued and he called on every Member of Parliament in the south west to support it; 

(d)

announced the completion of 99 of the 100 pledges made by the Labour administration and the other, numerous achievements of the last 12 months.   He extended thanks to the Chief Executive and all the staff for their work over the last 12 months and for their great public service to the citizens of Plymouth. 

(e)

announced the commencement of the door step glass collection from 1 May 2014 citywide and asked members of the public to put glass bottles and jars in the green recycling bin from 1 May;

(f)

updated members on the progress of works on the Elphinstone and Quay Point toilets. The toilets at Elphinstone were due to be opened before the Easter Bank Holiday and at Quay Point before the summer period.  Members were also advised that the strategic review of the city’s toilets was nearing completion. 

(g)

reported that Tony Staunton (Child Protection Manager) had received national recognition for his work to combat child sexual exploitation. She expressed her pride in Tony Staunton and his team, together with youth workers in the city and thanked everyone for their valuable work in child social care;

(h)

announced that the Education Catering Team had been shortlisted for Cost Sector Team of the Year. She also referred to the recent increase in the take up of free school meals and congratulated Brad Pearce (Education Catering Manager) and his team on their work.