Councillor Terri Beer introduced the Motion on Tampon Tax. This was seconded by Councillor Dave Downie.

An amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Penberthy and this was seconded by Councillor Laing.

The amendment proposed was follows:

Council joins with the Chancellor in congratulating Paula Sherriff, the former Labour MP for Dewsbury, in her campaign to abolish the Tampon Tax. Further the Council welcomes the change in government policy which now means that VAT on women’s sanitary products has been removed from 1st January 2021.

Council welcomes the work that Red Box and Trevi House have done in Plymouth over a number of years to raise concerns about the Tampon Tax and in the practical steps they have taken to mitigate its impact on local women. It further welcomes the leadership taken by the Council’s current Labour administration over the past two years in raising these issues and thanks Lindsey Hall for the support she is giving in working with schools to raise awareness of period poverty.

Council recognises that there is more to do to tackle period poverty and therefore instructs we call upon the Leader and Deputy Leader of Plymouth City Council to write to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak to congratulate him on delivering an election promise backing Paula Sherriff’s calls by to abolishing VAT on Woman’s women’s sanitary products from 1^st January 2021 and to ask the Chancellor to:

·       make it clear that that it is the government’s intention manufacturers and retailers should honour match this commitment to by providing a price reduction for the public

·       maintain the current ring-fenced funding for projects that help disadvantaged and vulnerable women across the UK.

This will now mean that young girls and woman facing period poverty will no longer have to pay extra tax on these products that will go some way to end period poverty in the UK.

After a debate the amendment was approved:

For (38)

Councillors Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Ball, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Buchan, Corvid, Carson, Churchill, Coker, Cook, Dann, Derrick, Davey, Evans OBE, Haydon, Goslin, Hendy, Mrs Johnson, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Parker Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, P Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Ms Watkin, Wheeler, Winter (DLM).

Against (17)

Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, James, Jordan, Kelly, Mike Leaves, Sam Leaves, Loveridge, Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Singh and R Smith.

Abstain (0)

Absent/Did Not Vote (2)

Lord Mayor- Councillor Mavin and Wigens

Following a debate the motion was carried.

For (38)

Councillor Allen, Mrs Aspinall, Ball, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Buchan, Corvid, Carson, Churchill, Coker, Cook, Dann, Derrick, Davey, Evans OBE, Haydon, Goslin, Hendy, Mrs Johnson, Laing, Lowry, McDonald, Morris, Murphy, Neil, Parker Delaz-Ajete, Penberthy, Rennie, P Smith, Stevens, J Taylor, K Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Ms Watkin, Wheeler, Winter (DLM).

Against (0)

Abstain (17)

Councillors Mrs Beer, Mrs Bridgeman, Darcy, Deacon, Downie, Drean, James, Jordan, Kelly, Mike Leaves, Sam Leaves, Loveridge, Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Riley, Singh and R Smith.

Absent/Did Not Vote (2)

Lord Mayor- Councillor Mavin and Wigens