Agenda and minutes

(a) Death of Former Lord Mayor – Nick Nolan

The Lord Mayor referred to the recent death of former Lord Mayor Nick Nolan. Nick had been a city councillor for 24 years representing Holbrooks Ward. He had been Chair and Vice Chair of various Committees including Social Services, Transportation and Highways, Leisure Services, Development and Economy Policy Co-ordinating Committee and Social Affairs Policy Co-ordinating Committee. Nick became Leader of the Council and Chair of the Cabinet in May 2000 and was Lord Mayor in 1994/1995.

Members of the Council paid tribute to Nick and to his contribution to the City Council.

(b) Retirement of the City’s Honorary Recorder, His Honour Judge Richard Griffith-Jones

The Lord Mayor referred to the forthcoming retirement of his Honour Judge Richard Griffith-Jones who formally retires as a circuit judge for Coventry Crown Court at the end of June 2017. This would require him to retire as the City’s Honorary Recorder.

Judge Griffith-Jones was appointed to the position in April 2011 and has taken part in the many civic events and ceremonial occasions since that time and Chaired the Good Citizen’s Advisory Panel.

The Lord Mayor on behalf of the City Council, thanked him for his contribution to the City and wished him a long and happy retirement.

(c) Retirement of the City’s Sword and Mace Bearer, Gary Breakwell

The Lord Mayor referred to the retirement of Gary Breakwell, one of the City’s Sword and Mace Bearers who formally retires after the ceremony. Gary had undertaken his role for 17 years since 2000 and had taken part on the many ceremonial occasions since that time. 

The Lord Mayor, on behalf of the City Council thanked Gary for his service to the City and wished him a long and happy retirement. 

It was moved by Councillor M Mutton and seconded by Councillor Mulhall that Councillor Tony Skipper be elected as Chair of the Council (being the Lord Mayor of the City) for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED that Councillor Tony Skipper be elected as Chair of the Council for the 2017/18 municipal year, having made the declaration of office prescribed by the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and having been invested with the Lord Mayor’s Chain of Office and Robe.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Skipper, addressed the City Council.

A vote of thanks for the retiring Lord Mayor, Councillor Lindsley Harvard, was moved by Councillor Bigham and seconded by Councillor Duggins.

Councillor Harvard responded to the vote of thanks.

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the warmest thanks of the Council were due and were thereby given to Councillor Lindsley Harvard for the zeal and impartiality with which he has discharged the arduous duties of the office of Lord Mayor during the year 2017/18; and

(2)  That a copy of this resolution, under the common seal, be presented to Councillor Lindsley Harvard. 

It was moved by Councillor Sawdon and seconded by Councillor Crookes that Councillor John Blundell be elected as Vice Chair of the Council (being the Deputy Lord Mayor of the City) for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED that Councillor John Blundell be elected as Vice Chair of the Council for the 2017/18 Municipal Year, having made the declaration of office prescribed by the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and having been invested with the Deputy Lord Mayor’s Badge and Robe.

The City Council received a report of the Leader, Councillor Duggins, which confirmed the composition of the Cabinet and the allocation of executive portfolios/functions within the Cabinet (detailed below):

*Cabinet Member Children and Young People is designated as the Lead Member for Children’s Services as required by Section 19 of the Children’s Act 2004

To confirm the Minutes of the Extraordinary meeting held on 14 March 2017 and of the meeting also held on 14 March 2017

The minutes of the Extraordinary and ordinary meetings held on 14 March 2017 were signed as true records.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Council considered and approved the following documents which were tabled at the meeting:

(i)  Details of Licensing and Regulatory Committee, Planning Committee, Health and Wellbeing Board, Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee, Scrutiny Boards, Audit and Procurement Committee, Ethics Committee and other such Committee as the Council considers appropriate to deal with matters which are neither reserved to the Council nor are executive functions as set out in the Constitution. This also included the appointment of the Chair and Deputy Chair of those bodies.

(ii)  The size and terms of reference for those Boards and Committee (as set out in the Constitution).

(iii)  The allocation of seats to political groups in accordance with the political balance rules.

(iv)  The nominations of Councillors to serve on each Scrutiny Board, Committee and Cabinet Advisory Panel.

(v)  The nominations and appointments to outside bodies.

(vi)  The programme of ordinary meetings of the Council, cabinet, Scrutiny Boards, Committee and Advisory Panels for 2017/18 including the date and time of the next Annual Meeting.

RESOLVED that the City Council approve the allocation of seats, appointments and programme of meetings as appended to these minutes.  

The Council considered a report which sought approval to appoint a new Honorary Recorder for the City of Coventry following the forthcoming retirement of the current holder of the role, His Honour Judge Griffith-Jones (Minute 1(b) above refers).

RESOLVED that the City Council approve the appointment of His Honour Judge Andrew Lockhart QC to the role of Honorary Recorder for the City of Coventry with effect from 1 July 2017.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Council considered a report which sought approval to the appointment of independent persons to the Ethics Committee.

The Localism Act 2011 requires the Council to appoint at least one independent person whose views will be sought when making decisions about allegations that councillors have breached the Council's Code of Conduct. In addition, all councils were required to have access to at least two independent persons when considering disciplinary action against statutory officers. The position is a voluntary one.

The Council’s first independent person resigned in July 2016. The Ethics Committee at its meeting on 16 September authorised officers to advertise for applications for the role of independent person. Five applications were received and four applicants interviewed by a panel of councillors on 18 April 2017. While it was originally envisaged that up to three independent persons would be appointed, the interviewing panel felt that all four applicants had different qualities and skills which would benefit the Council in meeting its legal duty to uphold and promote high standards of ethical behaviour among elected and co-opted members.

The appointment of independent persons must by law be approved by a majority of elected members.

RESOLVED that the City Council approve the appointment of Steve Atkinson, Ann Barton, Ruth Wills and Peter Wiseman as Independent Persons under Section 28 of the Localism Act 2011 with immediate effect.

This item was not required.