The independent review into the handling of the original scheme for Armada Way, which led to the felling of 109 trees, will be considered by Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet on 20 May 2024.
At the Cabinet meeting on 10 July 2023, the Leader announced an independent review into the handling of the now over-turned decision, originally planned for once the judicial review proceedings had concluded on 20 March.
Cabinet members will now agree the terms of reference, outlining that the review will:
- Provide an opportunity for the Council to receive feedback from interested stakeholders to enable it to objectively analyse areas of good practice and areas of improvement for the organisation.
- Obtain an independent, fair and objective appraisal of all relevant facts and factors pertaining to the original decision and the implementation of the original scheme; and
- Provide the Council with learning outcomes from which it can identify improvements to its procedures and processes, particularly in relation to governance, decision making and the management of the original scheme as a major project.
As part of the court order at the Judicial Review hearing in March this year, the Judge recognised the Council’s plans to hold the independent learning review and we made a commitment to the Court that this will be undertaken as soon as all remaining legal processes are over.
Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “While my administration was not responsible for 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 original decision, clean-up the mess, rebuild our reputation and move forward with a positive plan that will bring life back into the city centre.
“We now have a new plan. A plan that will bring life back to the city centre, with more trees than ever.
“However, it is clear that there are some learning points for the Council around our internal processes and we are determined to learn and be better in the future. This isn’t about whether it was right or wrong to fell the trees. This is about the work that went on behind the scenes, leading up to the point that the decision was made, and the trees felled.
“In the meantime, we remain focused on delivering our ambitious plans to make Armada Way a greener, more attractive city centre that is buzzing for businesses.”
The review will be truly independent, with an independent, senior chair from outside of the city with a specialism in local authority governance. They will be joined by two further local government advisors who specialise in legal issues, environment, planning and regeneration.
The panel will specifically examine:
- The approach taken by the Council in preparing the original decision and associated documentation
- Details of the decision-making processes from a governance and legal perspective
- Whether a sufficient consultation process was undertaken and the extent to which feedback was incorporated into the plans for the original scheme
- The eventual implementation of the original decision and the events surrounding it
- Recording officer decision making processes and actions
- The impact of the original scheme on the local environment, to include reasons why an environmental impact assessment was not undertaken prior to the original decision
- The financial implications of the events and circumstances arising from the original decision and the implementation of the original scheme, including the costs directly to the Council.
For full terms of reference Terms of Reference.pdf (plymouth.gov.uk)
Once the terms of reference have been agreed, the Council will seek to commission the independent review panel, so their work can begin as soon as all legal proceedings have concluded, in accordance with the Court Order.
A final report outlining the findings of the review will be published and submitted to a full Council within three months.