(a)        To receive announcements from the Lord Mayor, Chief Executive, Service Director for Finance or Head of Legal Services;

(b)        To receive announcements from the Leader, Cabinet Members or Committee Chairs.

The Lord Mayor made the following announcement:

·       Thanked Judith Harwood for her service to the Council.  Judith, who was the Service Director for Education, Participation and Skills, joined us 2012 and was leaving us following an outstanding contribution to Plymouth;

·       Welcomed Ming Zang who had been appointed as our new Service Director and today was his first day with the Council. Ming has a strong background in education policy, strategy and in supporting schools and learners. He would bring significant experience in managing partnerships with stakeholders and in leading significant change;

·       Expressed his thanks to Andrew Hardingham, the Service Director for Finance as this was his last Council meeting and wish him all the best in his retirement.

The Director of Public Health provided an update on the current situation with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic as follows:

·       with rates increasing over the last few weeks across the country we went into a lockdown on 5th November 2020. Numbers have increased but there was a data lag. 225 per 100,000 is current rate SW average 186 per 100,000. You would expect to see more cases in a place of high population. I 267 per 100,00 national. We are still; seeing an increase in case slow and steady;

·       We have been busy trying to manage small outbreaks and have a team who are there to speak to workplaces, business and schools on advice on keeping people safe;

·       Positive national news on several vaccines which could give good levels of protection. We aren’t going to have this quickly but in terms of getting back to normal in the Spring and Summer, that was something to focus on as hope during the difficult months ahead and to give our population more immunity;

·       Asked the people of Plymouth to please keep social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands to get through this. Please follow guidelines and isolate if you have been in contact with someone with positive test or you have symptoms.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Tudor Evans OBE, made announcements including the following:

·       The intensive work to protect jobs and businesses through the Resurgam Programme in recent weeks. It had been such a devastating blow for our businesses to re-enter lockdown, many of who were just starting to see the first signs of recovery after the first lockdown;

·       Local Restrictions Support Grants Scheme £4m allocation – This scheme would pay a grant to those businesses that had been legally required to close in November;

·       Additional Restrictions Grant £5m – This discretionary scheme would also be administered by the City Council and was for businesses that have suffered hardship but have not been legally required to close;

·       the global coverage secured for Plymouth in September commemorating the 400^Th anniversary of the Mayflower and starting our year long programme.

Councillor Kate Taylor, Cabinet Member for Health made announcement regarding Caring for Plymouth supporting around 800 people in the city contacted and pleased with people also using other sources of support such as Good Neighbours Scheme which was helping with demand.  Thanked everybody involved in Caring for Plymouth.  Adult Services day centres are still open with limited numbers in line with government guidance. Infection Control funding was being distributed to Care Homes and day services and support via PPE (1.7m pieces distributed). Working to support a number of Care Homes to facilitate safe visiting.

Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing and Co-operative Development regarding provision of good quality homes and the Plan for Homes.  A bid has been made to MHCLG for further £750k funding. Signed a new housing partnership agreement with PCH to provide 600 additional homes within the city. Plan for Homes direct delivery site consultation is commencing in the next month. Concerns regarding loss of social housing is being recognised. Plymouth Climate Change challenge shortlisting has been completed and those project continue to compete to win the £5,000 top prize.

Councillor Jon Taylor, Cabinet Member for Education, Transformation and Skills made announcement re £3.5m received from the European Social Fund for funding skills which has led to funding a skills delivery partnership ‘Smart Skills’ due to launch in December.

Bill Stevens, Chair of Planning Committee – updated on the response to proposed planning regulation changes. A response document from Plymouth had been submitted to the Government highlighting concerns and Plymouth MP’s have been contacted.