Recommendations from a cross-party scrutiny committee, which include; new bins for recycling, tree naming plaques translated into Braille and opportunities for community engagement within the delivery of the project, were presented to Cabinet today (5 February)
Councillor Ian Tuffin, who chaired the cross-party Growth and Infrastructure Committee on 22 January, presented the recommendations of the committee, following their scrutiny of the proposals for Armada Way and public consultation evaluation.
At the Cabinet meeting, Councillor Tuffin explained that the committee considered the proposals and resolved to fully support the new scheme. In addition, they suggested a number of recommendations that they would like Cabinet to consider before making a final decision. These are:
- The City Centre Public Realm Board includes cross-party membership
- The provision of waste bins should be of the combined litter and recycling type
- Further consideration should be given to the provision of outdoor gym equipment in the play area
- Further consideration should be given to how to improve community engagement in the delivery of the project (e.g. community painting event for bird boxes)
- The Cabinet will use best endeavours to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget
- Cabinet should give consideration on how to assess overall economic impact of the project and to report back to an appropriate meeting of the Growth and Infrastructure Scrutiny Committee
- Further consideration should be given to improving the 1:1 replacement ratio for failed translocated trees;
- Consideration of inclusion of Braille on the plaques placed under trees
Councillor Ian Tuffin, said: “This project is a good example of the benefits of the scrutiny process. A cross-party committee of councillors reviewed the proposals and were able to ask both Cabinet Members and lead officers questions to help clarify or understand the process that has been undertaken so far and the proposals moving forward.
“Scrutiny acts as a critical friend, and while Cabinet is not bound to accept our recommendations, they will be asked to seriously consider each one.
“I look forward to hearing more about the scheme as it progresses and seeing a new and improved Armada Way in the future.”
Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, added: “This is another milestone on our journey to rescue, reinvigorate and bring life back to our city centre.
“It was very important that the new proposals for Armada Way were scrutinised in public by cross-party councillors and I would like to thank them for spending their time reviewing the plans.
“Myself and my Cabinet colleagues will now carefully consider their recommendations, along with the wider proposal, before making a final decision later this month.”