Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests made.

(a)  To agree the minutes from the meeting of Cabinet on 13^th June 2017

(b)  Matters arising

Subject to the amendment of the virement in recommendation 3 of minute 4/17, ‘headed Revenue and Capital Outturn 2016/2017’, to read “£1.4m”, and the updated attendance, the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th June 2018 were agreed and signed as a true record.

There were no matters arising.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet agrees to exclude the press and public under Sections 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 relating to the private report in minute 19 below headed “Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Test Bed - Proposed Funding Bid” on the grounds that the report involves the likely disclosure of information defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as it contains information relating to the financial affairs of a particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that was also considered by the Communities and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board (4) at their meeting on 28^th June 2017 (their minute 4/17 referred), that sought approval to implement a new car parking tariff structure and for a review of tariffs to be undertaken every year, starting in April 2019, in conjunction with the Council’s annual review of fees and charges.

Coventry City Council adopted the City Centre Parking Strategy in September 2016. The strategy set out a number of the aims, issues, key objectives and policies and provided a comprehensive framework for parking within Coventry city centre for the next decade. The purpose of the strategy was to clearly define the vision for parking in support of the development and regeneration of the city centre, recognising the need to manage off-street parking within a clearly defined hierarchy of uses, together with a parking tariff structure that was clear, coherent and flexible.

A comprehensive review of all car park prices was last carried out during 2010. The majority of tariffs have remained unchanged since then and many haven’t changed significantly since 2003. During that time the operational running costs of the Council’s car parks have continued to increase as has the cost of using public transport. 

On-street parking during the evening (from 6pm) within Coventry city centre is free.

Parking for Blue Badge holders is free at all times off street and for up to three hours on-street. 

A full review of on and off-street car park prices had recently been completed in line with the requirements of the City Centre Parking Strategy and the report set out the findings of the review and the proposals for a new car parking tariff structure. 

The Cabinet noted that the report had been considered by the Communities and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board (4) at their meeting on 28^th June 2017, and a briefing note setting out their recommendations had been circulated. The Board:

1.  Supported recommendations 1) to 3) and 5) and 6) of the report to Cabinet.

2.  Recommended that the Cabinet Member for City Services revisited recommendation 4) of the report regarding the proposals for Holmsdale Road, in conjunction with the Foleshill Ward Councillors, and the implementation of any resulting proposals be delayed until September to enable the consultation to take place.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet:

1)  Notes that the Communities and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board (4) endorses recommendations 1) to 3) and 5) and 6) of the report to Cabinet.

2)  Agrees that, in respect of recommendation 4) of the report, the proposals for Holmsdale Car Park be revisited, in conjunction with the Foleshill Ward Councillors, and that the implementation of any resulting proposals be delayed until September 2017 to enable this consultation to take place.

3)  Approves the revision to the car parking tariff structures in order to ensure that prices are coherent and consistent.

4)  Agrees that, subject to the approval of recommendations 1) and 2) of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that sought permission to publically consult on the creation of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) that would replace the current Designated Public Spaces Protection Order (DPPO) in relation to public drinking of alcohol which expired in October 2017.

In addition, it was also proposed that the PSPO would have conditions within it to address the unauthorised use of ‘off-road’ motorbikes and other specific mechanically propelled vehicles in the city. It would also seek to control the use of Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) in public spaces.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet:

1)  Approves the public consultation on a new City-wide Public Space Protection Order to address the drinking of alcohol in public places and the use of ‘off-road’ motor bikes and other specific mechanically propelled vehicles in the city. The Order will also include the granting of powers to officers to seize canisters of nitrous oxide from individuals where it is felt their use will contribute towards anti-social behaviour.

2)  Requests that a further report is brought back to the Cabinet with the findings of the public consultation.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Cabinet considered a report that set out proposals for future provision of the Woodlands Academy situated in Broad Lane, Coventry, for which the City Council was the freehold owner of the site.

The Woodlands School occupied a site of approximately 42 acres (17hectares) with the main school buildings situated on roughly 13 acres, with the school playing fields surrounding to the east, south and west. The buildings comprised eleven blocks, which had been classified as Grade II Listed by English Heritage/Heritage England.

Pursuant to the Academies Act 2010 the Woodlands School converted to academy status and became Woodlands Academy in 2011 and a 125 year lease was granted by the Council, dated 29^th July 2011, in accordance with the 2010 Act. In April 2016 a decision was taken by Woodlands Academy Trust to amalgamate Woodlands Academy with Tile Hill Wood Academy due to the unsustainability of the school. The pupils from Woodlands Academy transferred to be educated at Tile Hill Wood Academy from September 2016. These pupils would officially join the roll of the school from September 2017 and the school would be renamed West Coventry Academy. Subsequently, the Woodlands Academy would officially close from 31^st August 2017 as its funding agreement would cease and it was expected that a notice would be served on the Council to terminate the long-lease. It was anticipated by officers that the lease would automatically determine on the termination of the funding agreement on the 31 August 2017. If the termination clause was triggered as per the lease, the Woodlands Academy site would revert and become the responsibility of the Council as freehold owner.

There were a number of community groups using the facilities on the site and there was an expectation within the local community that this arrangement would continue despite the Academy ceasing to exist.

The Department for Education has confirmed that it has no other educational body prepared to use the facility.

The long term future of the site was to be determined but in the short term, a budget would be required to continue to maintain the site once the Council assumed responsibility. It was proposed to make budgetary provision until the 31^st March 2018 to allow the continuity of the on-going community arrangements whilst a longer-term plan was determined. It was also proposed to approach the Education Funding Agency seeking funding to assist with carrying out any necessary repairs to the Grade II Listed School buildings.

The City Council’s Education Department would hold the site within their portfolio whilst formulating a plan for the long term use of the site.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet:

1)  Approves the allocation of a budget towards the on-going running costs of the Woodlands Academy site until 31^st March 2018, subject to the presentation and approval of a long term plan for the reutilisation of the site to the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources, the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills and the Cabinet Member for Jobs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) on an opportunity to bid for additional funding as part of a £55m government funded initiative being run by Innovate UK, which aimed to make the UK one of the world’s most attractive centres for connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) development and testing.

A corresponding private report detailing confidential aspects of the proposals was also submitted to the meeting for consideration.

Coventry had a growing reputation for advanced automotive research and engineering led by the City’s two universities and major local businesses, including Jaguar Land Rover and MIRA. This reputation had been enhanced by the City Council’s success over recent years in helping to secure new funding for innovative transport solutions which use emerging technology to find new ways to cut congestion, reduce the impact of cars and other forms of transport on air quality and support people of all ages and mobility levels to travel more freely. A summary of the key transport innovation projects the Council was currently involved in was outlined in Appendix 1 to the report. 

Connected vehicles were capable of ‘talking’ to each other and to roadside equipment like traffic lights, using the wireless network to help inform the choice of routes to minimise congestion and pollution and to avoid accidents. An autonomous vehicle took this concept a step further by taking over aspects of the driving tasks, ultimately to the point of full automation, meaning a vehicle that was capable of driving itself without human intervention. 

If a bid was successful it would place Coventry and the wider region at the centre of a national research and development programme into connected and self-driving vehicles of all types, making the City and region a global leader in this field. This would also further enhance Coventry’s growing reputation for advanced automotive research and engineering led by the City’s two universities and major local businesses, such as Jaguar Land Rover.

The funding bid required 100% industry match funding but research organisations and local authorities could be funded at 100%, meaning there would be no match funding required by the City Council. In addition, any maintenance and other costs throughout the expected 10 year life of the test facilities would be funded through the project, resulting in the proposal having a zero Net financial impact on the City Council. The scope of a potential bid, which had to be submitted by the 19th July 2017, was being developed with potential partners by a joint Coventry City Council and Transport for West Midlands team.

A requirement of the bid was that organisations had to work together as part of a consortium which should be led by a business or research organisation rather than a local authority and bids were encouraged to limit the number of partners. Non-Disclosure Agreements and a collaboration agreement would be required between the partners; as well as contracts with the funders and the formation of an entity to construct and operate the testing infrastructure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

Report of the Executive Director of Place

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that contained the list of outstanding issues and summarised the current position in respect of each item.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet approves the dates for future consideration of matters relating to the outstanding issues items listed in the report.

There were no other items of public business.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

(Listing Officer: C Knight, tel: 024 7683 4001)

Further to Minute 16 above, the Cabinet considered a private report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that set out confidential aspects of the proposals to bid for additional funding as part of a £55m government funded initiative being run by Innovate UK, which aimed to make the UK one of the world’s most attractive centres for connected and autonomous vehicle development and testing.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet:

1)  Authorises that the City Council take part in a joint funding bid as part of a consortium for the Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Test Bed competition.

2)  Authorises the City Council to enter into a Non-Disclosure Agreement, Collaboration Agreement and associated contracts with the other submission partners as part of the bid process.

3)  Delegates approval of the final submission document and completion of the legal agreements to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration and Cabinet Member for City Services.

There were no other items of private business.