To consider motions from councillors in accordance with Part B, paragraph 4.15 of the Constitution.

Declaration on Climate Emergency

Councillor Dann introduced a motion on climate emergeny and this was seconded by Councillor Buchan.

Following a debate and vote, Council agreed to:

For the Motion (55) Lord Mayor, Councillors Mrs Aspinall, Ball, Mrs Beer, Mrs Bowyer, Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Buchan, Carson, Churchill, Coker, Cook, Corvid, Dann, Darcy, Deacon, Derrick, Downie, Dr Mahony, Drean, Evans OBE, Fletcher, Foster, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, J Taylor, James, Mrs Johnson, Jordan, K Taylor, Kelly, Laing, Michael Leaves, Mrs Loveridge,  Lowry, Mavin, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Nicholson, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Mrs Pengelly, Rennie, Singh, Pete Smith, Rebecca Smith, Stevens, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler, Wigens, Winter

Abstentions (0)

Absent / Did Not Vote (2) Councillors Vincent and Mrs Leaves.

Fair Funding for Plymouth Schools

Councillor Jon Taylor introduced a motion on fair funding for schools and this was seconded by the Leader, Councillor Evans OBE.

Following a debate, Council agreed to:

Request that the Education and Children’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee closely monitor the impact of the school funding crisis in Plymouth exploring specifically whether schools in the city are being forced to close early on some days of the week as a result of funding constraints and calls on the Government to:

Remove the damaging gains cap which is punishing schools in Plymouth with great need;

Increase the level of funding for Plymouth schools, bringing up the level to the national average immediately; and

Asks the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Education in the terms set out above.

For the Motion (51) Councillors Mrs Aspinall, Ball, Mrs Beer, Mrs Bowyer, Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Buchan, Carson, Churchill, Coker, Cook, Corvid, Dann, Darcy, Deacon, Derrick, Dr Mahony, Drean, Evans OBE, Fletcher, Foster, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, James, Mrs Johnson, Jordan, Kelly, Michael Leaves, Mrs Loveridge,  Lowry, Mavin, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Nicholson, Parker Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Mrs Pengelly, Rennie, Singh, Pete Smith, Rebecca Smith, Stevens, Jon Taylor, Kate Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Wheeler, Wigens, Winter

Abstentions (1) Councillor Mavin

Absent / Did Not Vote (5) Lord Mayor, Councillors Downie, Laing, Mrs Leaves and Vincent.

Openness and Transparency in Planning Application Viability Assessments

Councillor Bill Stevens introduced a motion on planning application viability assessments and this was seconded by Councillor Morris.

Following a debate, Council agreed to instruct the Strategic Director for Place to:

Publish all viability assessments together with planning applications on the Council’s planning portal websites, except in exceptional circumstances.

Publish the Council’s formal viability review of the applicant’s viability report in the same way.

Require the applicant to fund the Local Planning Authority’s reasonable costs associated with the viability assessment as outlined in the relevant Planning and Infrastructure Fees Policies.

For the Motion (43) Councillors Mrs Aspinall, Mrs Beer, Mrs Bowyer, Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Buchan, Coker, Cook, Corvid, Dann, Deacon, Derrick, Dr Mahony, Drean, Evans OBE, Foster, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, J Taylor, Mrs Johnson, K Taylor, Kelly, Michael Leaves, Lowry, Mavin, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Mrs Pengelly, Rennie, Singh, Pete Smith, Rebecca Smith, Stevens, Tuffin, Tuohy, Wheeler, Winter

Abstentions (0)

Absent / Did Not Vote (14) Lord Mayor, Councillors Ball, Carson, Churchill, Darcy, Fletcher, James, Jordan, Mrs Leaves, Mrs Loveridge, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, Vincent, Wigens

Freedom from Fear

Councillor Coker introduced the motion of Freedom from Fear and this was seconded by Councillor Rennie.

Following a debate, Council agreed:

To publicly support Usdaw’s campaign and shopworkers in the City with a statement of support and by posting on Council social media platforms using the hashtags #RespectShopworkers and to encourage individual councillors to do the same.

To encourage individual councillors to engage with retail stores in their ward, talk to shopworkers and listen to their experiences.

To use links with local police to ensure retail crime is always treated seriously and the often severe impact on victims is appropriately acknowledged.

To use links with local business and retail stores to make sure proper workplace procedures are in place and that front-line staff are appropriately supported.

For the Motion (45) Lord Mayor, Councillors Mrs Aspinall, Mrs Beer, Mrs Bowyer, Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Buchan, Coker, Cook, Corvid, Dann, Darcy, Deacon, Derrick, Dr Mahony, Drean, Evans OBE, Foster, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Mrs Johnson, Kelly, Mrs Loveridge, Lowry, Mavin, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Nicholson, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Mrs Pengelly, Rennie, Singh, Pete Smith, Rebecca Smith, Stevens, Jon Taylor, Kate Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Wheeler, Wigens, Winter

Abstentions (0)

Absent / Did Not Vote (12) Councillors Ball, Carson, Churchill, Fletcher, James, Jordan, Michael Leaves, Mrs Leaves, Mrs Loveridge, Dr Mahony, Nicholson, and Vincent.