Councillor Nick Kelly, Leader of the Council made the following announcements:

Plymouth as a city stood in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and sent sympathies to them. It was horrifying to see what was happening and the invasion of Ukraine had been a clear violation of international laws and threatened human rights and democracy;

70% of the administrations commitments outlined in their manifesto had been delivered in 9 months;

Plymouth hosted SailGP which had showcased Plymouth’s beautiful waterfront to a global audience of millions. Plymouth had won a bid to host the event again in 2022;

Plymouth had won the heritage lotteries national funding twice with £10 million funding for the National Marine Park. The Council had appointed an interim CEO for the National Marine Park who would take the project forward. The Council had also launched a public engagement programme which would take place at the National Marine Aquarium in April 2022;

Plymouth had secured a Freeport status for the region and had been working to submit a full business case for April 2022. From June 2022, the Freeport would unlock £10 million investment in the first two years, working with Babcock and Princess Yachts;

The Council handed out over £100 million in grants supporting 8,000 businesses;

The Council had completed an industrial development at Beliver and would be starting another at the Plymouth International Medical Park and Technology Park which would see another ten commercial units created. A residential scheme had been worked on with the purchaser of the Debenhams building. Work had been started on the third phase at Hearder Court on Langage Business Park. Substantial investments had been secured in the city with the supply of a new home for the Valuation Office Agency which opened in September 2021. Marks and Spencer and Aldi had been secured as tenants at Plymouth’s new district shopping centre on the site of the former Seaton Barracks at Derriford;

Plymouth had secured the opportunity for a County Deal which would provide councils across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay with extra powers and influence to improve economic and social conditions in communities.

The Leader of the Council had opened a new multi-million pound additive manufacturing facility at the Science park which would manufacture 3D printed titanium and steel.

The Council would been beginning works on the Civic Centre and Guildhall development working with Urban Splash. Work has also started on Old Town Street and New George Street as part of the multi-million pound investment in the City Centre.

Work had started on Mutley Plan with an extensive cleaning programme which would include a full power wash of the pavements, new bins complete with recycling facilities, new seating and a refurbishment of the historic benches outside the Swarthmore Adult Education Centre. Street lighting would be improved and lamp mounted flags hung to give more colour;

The Council had been expanding plans for the regeneration of the West End and turned attention to Colin Campbell House for renovation in order to bring in new tenants.