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Rates had continued to drop and were 26.3% and for reference at the last Council meeting on 22February Plymouth had 48%. The south west average had continued to drop and was at 32%. Nationally the rate had been 58%.

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Vaccinations progress had been going well and the National Health Service had extended vaccinations ages to 56 and 59 ranges, uptake had been 95%.

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On the 11 March 90,000 residents had one dose of their vaccination in Plymouth and the National Health Service had been working with Plymouth City Council to increase the uptake as vaccinations reached the working population. There had been a Zoom meeting scheduled to take place on 13 April to address any questions.

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The Office for Plymouth’s Public Health had been working with community champions to spread the word on vaccinations and had also looked at accessibility to recognise barriers people may face in receiving their vaccinations.

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Expansions had been made in people receiving rapid tests even though they did not have symptoms in order to pick up people who had been asymptomatic and going into workplaces.

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The government had provided a pathway out of lockdown, however it was noted that timings were not certain and the unlocking of lockdown depended on data and whether there continued to be success of the vaccination rollout in order to reduce the need of people requiring hospitalisations. New variants would be monitored which might change the risk.

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The asymptomatic testing had been a success in allowing children to return to school safely.

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There had been some concern across EU countries with people having blood clots, investigations had been underway to see if they were connected with having the vaccination. The had been millions of vaccinations, but there had been no evidence to suggest that having a vaccination and having a blood clot were correlated.

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Vaccinations to vulnerable groups such as the homeless had been successful and there had been monitoring of other vulnerable groups. It was noted that nationally BAME communities had been less likely to receive vaccinations; it was also noted that there had been statistically lower vaccination rates in deprived communities. Plans would be discussed with Devon CCG to bring the vaccine to people in order to increase the uptake.

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It was noted that a number of people would have side effects from any vaccination; 18 – 20% would have a sore arm, have a headache, feel tired, have mild chills and would last around a day. This was normal and indicated that the immune system was working; the vaccine would not give you COVID but it did stimulate the immune system which would lead to mild side effects. There had been and continued to be an established system to monitor the side effects of the vaccine as there was with other medicines.

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A decision with Homes England had been agreed which would help develop 2,000 homes in Woolwell. Plymouth City Council owned 29 acres in Woolwell and the Council would be looking to build a new school and community park which would unlock the delivery of Woolwell to George dualling and complete this project. Councillor Tudor Evans OBE reiterated that the road comes before the homes.

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Oceansgate phase two had opened through a virtual ceremony

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Completed the fourth industrial unit at Astor Court

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Handed over offices at VOA who had in turn brought 300 jobs to Plymouth and also secured 100 jobs already in Plymouth.

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Plymouth City Council had secured a Freeport with Devon County Council and South Hams District Council. 

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Submitted £10m bid to the National Heritage to unlock the National Marine park through the Horizon project.

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Secured £12m from the Future High Streets Fund to enable refurbishment an redevelopment for the Civic Centre and Guildhall.

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Successfully launched the yacht race Sail GB which would be coming to Plymouth 17^th July.

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Plymouth City Council had handed over £70m in business grants to 13,500 firms and businesses in Plymouth to keep them going during the pandemic. 

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In response to Pledge 73, this had been completed. The pledge would light up monuments on the Hoe promenade extending the illumination of the City’s landmarks, using low energy and bat friendly lighting systems. Discussions with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission about lighting the naval memorial had been taking place.

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Councillor Tudor Evans OBE shared a presentation in relation to the Tourism and Hospitality sector. The sector had employed 8,000 people across Plymouth and brought in 5.2 million visitors spending £337 million and had provided an extensive supply chain. It was recognised that in the past 12 months the sector has been hit hard and it had been estimated that 64% spending in the city had been lost equating to £203 million. Plymouth City Council had been supporting to get business grants out and had also been working closely with Destination Plymouth and two business improvement districts to support businesses on the ground as part of the Resurgam plan. The Council had continued marketing to shop locally and reminded visitors that Plymouth would be ready when they were ready to visit. Destination Plymouth had worked with international and cruise operators to remind them that Plymouth had been ready. 10 Cruise ships had been booked this year and 10 had already booked for early next year.

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The Council signed a 10 year visitor plan to 2030 which would be released next week in its final format with the aim to deliver Plymouth’s long term ambitions

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Derriford Community Park continued to be developed as part of a key commitment in the Joint Local Plan situated in the north of the city. It would set a clear blueprint for future parks in management of parks, engagement with people, improvements to the environment, Cycling and walking uptake, planting trees, training volunteers, nurturing enterprise and enabling Plymouth City Council to reach its net zero ambitions.

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Total investments had been £3.6 million. The project mandate authorised a new business case to bring forward the next phase to bring further investment of £5.6 million and would provide further improvements to the environment, improve health and wellbeing and allow residents to access nature. An education centre would be constructed to allow people to learn new skills, set up social enterprise initiatives, open the area up to local people and communities and to support communities in the north of the city.

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A new long term partnership with Age UK Plymouth to create a short term care centre which would support people well enough to be discharged from hospital but not well enough to return home.  This facility would be based at the William and Patricia Venton Centre; residents would be able to stay for a maximum of six weeks with support from therapists with the aim to return home. Refurbishments of the building had been taking place and recruitment of staff would take place with the aim to get the centre up and running in the autumn.

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Phase two of the outdoor play programme would been completed. The programme has improved 40 play sights across Plymouth and has worked with local communities to improve infrastructure, 65% would now meet good or excellent standards. The programme has invested £2.1 million to improve playgrounds. It had been agreed and signed to bring forward phase 3 of the programme and would target 30 playgrounds, investing £850,000 with work scheduled to begin in April 2021.

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The library service had fulfilled a reading void through e-learning and reached customers through social media and YouTube channels. The Library service had launched an online book group through Microsoft Teams and in the future would be opening up again alongside government regulations. 

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The Mayflower journey would commence in July 

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Sail GP would be hosted in July

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A large scale music event for the summer would be hosted on the Hoe, which would boost Plymouth post COVID and would bring visitors back to the City. 

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The British Fireworks championship would take place

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The Blues and Jazz festival, Seafood festival, Half-marathon, hosting of Pride, mega ride, graduation events and Circus would also take place as part of the programme for the city this year.

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The Ofsted inspection of the adult skills service highlighted significant improvements in the areas identified outline in the 2019 report. The full report could be found on the Ofsted website.

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The Council Tax Support scheme which had provided a one off £125 to households would continue for the next year