An independent review into the handling of the Armada Way redevelopment has been announced by the Leader of Plymouth City Council.
At the full Council meeting on 27 March, members agreed a recommendation to ask the Cabinet to set up an independent review into the handling of the Armada Way redevelopment, leading up to the decision to fell the trees.
At today's Cabinet meeting (10 July), Councillor Tudor Evans announced that a review would be commissioned that will:
- Be truly independent, with an independent and senior chair
- Look in detail at the decision making process that took place, both in terms of legality and good governance
- Examine how well the Council engaged with stakeholders throughout the process and the extent to which feedback was incorporated into the plans
- Examine the impact of the project on the local environment
- Set out the financial implications of what has happened, including the costs directly to the Council
Councillor Evans, said: “Whilst it was not my administration that was responsible for the taking the decision to fell the trees on Armada Way, it has been my number one priority since taking control of the council to overturn the March decision, clean-up the mess, rebuild our reputation and move forward with a positive plan that will bring life back into the city centre.
“Our new Corporate Plan sets out our ambition to take responsibility for our decisions and the impact of our actions. Therefore, we need to understand what happened and learn from any lessons.
“Whilst the detail is still being worked up, the review will be thorough, independent and the findings will be shared publicly.
“As soon as we have consulted on a new scheme and finished the clean-up of the current mess on Armada Way, I want this review to move forward.”
Council staff are currently working on terms of reference for the review, it will take place before the end of the year, and will be presented to full Council for consideration when it is completed.