Councillor Drean introduced the Motion on Flooding. This was seconded by Councillor Kelly.

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

The amendment proposed was follows:

Plymouth City Council has taken a proactive approach to flood prevention and a lead role in responding to the challenges being faced by Plymouth as a result of the wider climate crisis. Since 2012 PCC have completed 18 separate flood risk projects at a cost of £5M, that has resulted in 343 residential properties being better protected from flooding. In the current and future flood risk programme, between 2020 and 2026, a total of 14 new major flood projects are identified, these are designed to reduce the risk of flooding to a further 998 residential properties in Plymouth at a current estimated total delivery cost of £26M.  These projects will be funded through partnership funding arrangements with the Environment Agency,  South West Water,  developer funded contributions where these can  secured and will  depend on match funding from Plymouth City Council.

The Environment Agency has said that £1 billion a year is needed to protect our communities with the need for comprehensive flood prevention plans recognising the climate crisis. The pressure is even higher now on cash strapped councils and our frontline services following years of austerity, its time the government recognised that funding to reverse the severe  cuts that have been imposed on local authorities is key to support future climate emergency planning.

In light of recent Flooding across the City, and the forecast that future Climate Change and weather patterns will make this a more regular occurrence, the City Council resolves:

To ask Cllr Mark Coker Sue Dann to be even more proactive in taking and to take the lead in protecting our City from further flooding, by continuing to complete  completing preventative and routine work in a timely fashion as well as working with partner agencies to protect and safeguard residents and business from the distress and anxiety caused by such flooding and lobbying the government to take the urgent decisions needed to respond to the climate crisis Ask Cllr Sue Dann to write to the government  to ensure that the funding and planning for flood defence is a priority and to increase funding  to  local authorities and  the Environment Agency  flood defence schemes  to safeguard residents,  businesses and infrastructure.

The meeting was briefly adjourned to consider the amendment.

Following a debate, the amendment was agreed.

For (49)

Councillors Allen, Aspinall, Ball, Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Buchan, Corvid, Carson, Churchill, Coker, Dann, Darcy, Davey, Deacon, Downie, Drean, Evans OBE, Haydon, Goslin, Hendy, Mrs Johnson, Kelly, Laing, Mike Leaves, Loveridge, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Nicholson, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, Riley, Singh, P Smith, R Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Ms Watkin, Wheeler and Winter.

Against (0)

Absent/ Did Not Vote (9)

Councillors Cook, Derrick, Jordan, James, Sam Leaves and Mrs Pengelly, Wigens.

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin

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

For (48)

Councillors Allen, Aspinall, Ball, Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Mrs Bridgeman, Buchan, Corvid, Carson, Coker, Cook, Dann, Darcy, Davey, Deacon, Downie, Drean, Evans OBE, Haydon, Goslin, Hendy, Mrs Johnson, Kelly, Laing, Mike Leaves, Loveridge, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Nicholson, Parker-Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, Riley, Singh, P Smith, R Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Ms Watkin, Wheeler and Winter.

Against (0)

Absent/ Did Not Vote (9) Councillors Churchill, Derrick, Jordan, James, Sam Leaves, Neil, Mrs Pengelly and Wigens.

Lord Mayor – Councillor Mavin

The motion was carried.