Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene made the following announcements:

·         Following the Firework Championships event last year, small plastic pods were found washed up on beaches which had been used by some of the firework companies in the creation of their displays. Work has been ongoing with the firework companies over the past year to eliminate as much of the single use plastic as possible and the display this year will be much more environmentally friendly. At the event this year there will also be free water points on offer to reduce the use of single use plastic bottles.

·         Nearly €4m has been awarded from the European Commission for the ‘Green Minds’ project; working with partners across the city the aim of ‘Green Minds’ is to get people thinking about green urban spaces in a different way. We will have a more diverse green space across the city and whilst we want the city to look well maintained we also need to increase biodiversity in our neighbourhoods.

Councillor Jon Taylor, Cabinet Member for Education. Transformation and Skills made the following announcements:

·         On Course South West staff have transferred back in house to the council and this is welcomed.

·         The council has been requested to participate in two Early Years pilots which aim to improve literacy, language and communication skills. One will work with parents to access videos, advice and games to help children in early years digital development. The other is in professional development to train early years practitioners working in disadvantaged areas in schools and nurseries to help children’s development

·         The Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) conference on 16 July 2019 was very successful and the aspiration is to grow the event to 200 delegates by July 2020. The STEM spectacular is still ongoing and will culminate in a boat race in September which it is hoped will become an annual event. STEM activity continues with ongoing activities and programme development for next year.

·         The expansion of the University Technical College has been agreed from 2020 to take students from Year seven and this will play an important role in helping to meet the demand for STEM skills in Plymouth.

·         Downham House, an overnight short-break provider for children with complex needs, underwent an Ofsted inspection in July and achieved a rating of good which it has maintained since 2015. Congratulations were expressed to the team at Downham House.

Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People made the following announcements:

·         A recent visit was made to the Ground Coffee shop at the base of Beckley Point, this is the latest venue to sign up to Plymouth Latch-on Breastfeeding Welcome Kite mark scheme. The scheme enables mothers to identify venues where they can breastfeed with confidence in a welcoming environment.

·         A visit was paid to Devonport library – all libraries are offering a free CATERed lunch for children on a Wednesday during August to help tackle holiday hunger whilst providing free activities.

·         The launch of ‘Sea in the Park’ at Devonport Park, an initiative providing a range of activities centred around the sea and our marine environment. Events are taking place in parks across the city and dates are available on the council website.