Councillor Carson moved the Motion on Notice in relation to Weeds in Plymouth. This was seconded by Councillor Sam Leaves.

An amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Dann and this was seconded by Councillor Coker.

The amendment proposed was as follows:

Plymouth residents have been badly let down by the Labour run Council by their serious failure to deliver a proper weed control programme since May 2018.  This has resulted in our City looking untidy, unkempt, and uncared for.

Continual reports in the local media, social media, and in Councillors’ mailboxes have failed to stir the Administration into concerted action aimed at improving performance in delivering this basic service to our residents. This undermines public confidence in the Council’s ability to provide local services in this area of the Council’s operations.

Plymouth residents are feeling like they live in a city divided – on one side the basic services in the tourist and The most visual areas of the city are looking reasonably good, and tidy however in some parts of  step over the ramparts and the some residential areas more can be done are looking dirty, dismal and depressing.

The Council’s winter works programme of 2017/18 was very successful reaching into certain parts of neighbourhoods as was the 2018/2019 winter gully clearance works and the spring cleaning that took place in the district shopping centres. On behalf of local residents, we call on the Leader of the Council to produce and publish a business plan to deliver an immediate improvement in performance, including Further delivery of an autumn works programme to shall include an:

Increase in the weeding programming to reach into Weeding the remainder of all residential areas

Expanded on the number of gully clearances

Targeted street sweeps ready for the winter storms.

The City Council resolves to:

Ask the Council Leader and Cabinet Member for the Environment to bring forward and publish urgent plans to restore the City’s image, and indicate, within 3 weeks, how the ongoing problem of weeds will be dealt with throughout Plymouth.

The meeting was briefly adjourned to consider the amendment.

Following a debate, the amendment to the motion was agreed.

For (28)

Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Buchan, Coker, Corvid, Dann, Derrick, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Laing, Lowry, Mavin, McDonald, Murphy, Neil, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, Pete Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent and Winter.

Against (25)

Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Carson, Churchill, Cook, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, James, Mrs Johnson, Jordan, Kelly, Leaves, Mrs Leaves, Loveridge, Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Singh, Rebecca Smith, Watkin and Wigens

Absent/Did Not Vote (3)

Councillors Ball (Lord Mayor), Morris and Wheeler.

Following a debate, Council voted on the motion as amended as follows:

For (53)

Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Buchan, Carson, Churchill, Coker, Cook, Corvid, Dann, Darcy, Davey, Deacon, Derrick, Downie, Drean, Evans OBE, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Mrs Johnson, James, Jordan, Kelly, Laing, Michael Leaves, Mrs Leaves, Mrs Loveridge, Lowry, Mavin, McDonald, Murphy, Neil, Nicholson, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Mrs Pengelly, Rennie, Riley, Singh, Pete Smith, Rebecca Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Vincent, Ms Watkin, Wigens and Winter.

Absent/Did Not Vote (4)

Councillors Ball (Lord Mayor), Morris, Tuohy and Wheeler.