Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the Meeting held on 10 October 2017 were signed as a true record.

To consider whether to exclude the press and public for the items of private business for the reasons shown in the report.

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 relating to the private reports below 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 and business affairs of any particular proposed person (including the authority holding that information) and the amount of expenditure proposed to be incurred by the  Council under a particular contract or the supply of goods or services. The public interest in maintaining the exemption under Schedule 12A outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Minute 85   Heritage Framework Agreement

Minute 86  Coventry’s Bid for UK City of Culture 2021 – Council Commitments

Minute 87  City Centre South – Early Acquisition of Long Leasehold 

Property Interests

Minute 88   National Battery Manufacturing Development Facility – Faraday Challenge

To be presented by the Lord Mayor and Judge Lockhart QC, Honorary Recorder

On behalf of the City Council, the Lord Mayor and His Honour Judge Lockhart QC presented Edwina Jones with the Good Citizen Award. Her citation read:

For many years Edwina has undertaken outstanding work in the Upper Stoke area of Coventry. She has been the secretary of Stoke Residents’ Association for nine years and treasurer for seven; she is also on the committee of Bell Green Social Club where she helps to run family nights once a month. Edwina regularly gives up her spare time to organise and support groups, events and charity fund raisers for a number of other community organisations, including the Stoke Heath Community Centre, the Retired Senior Volunteer Programme and the Morris Common Steering Group. She prepares meals to promote healthy living for the lunch club which serves subsidised meals and is also the chairwoman of the Stoke Heath Older People’s Club.

As Stoke Heath Community Centre is self-funded, Edwina is constantly endeavouring to raise funds to enable activities such as Adult Education classes, Art Club, and older peoples’ groups to continue. For the last eight years she has been a tireless volunteer helping to transform the Valley Road building into a warm, welcoming hive of activity.

Edwina is an asset to the community and is truly deserving of this Good Citizen Award.

(a)  Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and HRH Duke of Edinburgh

The Lord Mayor referred to the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s 70th Wedding Anniversary on the 20th November 2017.

On behalf of the City Council and the people of Coventry, he had written to their Royal Highnesses sending warmest good wishes and congratulations on their Platinum Wedding Anniversary.

(b)  Death of Former Councillor – David Galliers

The Lord Mayor referred to the recent death of former Councillor David Galliers.

David had been a Member of the City Council for one term representing Bablake Ward from 2012 to 2016.  He served in roles including Chair of Audit and Procurement Committee, Chair of Licensing and Regulatory Committee, Deputy Chair of Planning Committee and Chair of Bablake Ward Forum.  David had also served the Council as an officer for many years.

Members paid tribute to the work undertaken by David both as an officer and as a Councillor and extended the Council’s sincere condolences to his family.

(c)  UK City of Culture 2021

The Lord Mayor referred to the UK City of Culture 2021 Bid.  With only two more days before the winner was announced, he expressed his pride in the City’s bid and believed that Coventry would be a worthy holder of the title. If successful, it would mean so much not just to Coventry but the wider region and would give the City a chance to show the rest of the country what an amazing place Coventry is.

He expressed his thanks to everyone for their support for the Bid and wished Coventry “good luck”.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the following petitions be referred to the appropriate City Council bodies/external organisations:

(a)   Request for improved signage and road safety markings  outside entrance to Grange Farm Primary – 203 signatures, presented by Councillor Blundell.

(b)  Request for CCTV to be installed at Lentons Lane cemetery – 474 signatures, presented by Councillor Seaman.

(c)  Request to improve road markings outside Parkhill Primary School – 202 signatures, presented by Councillor Lepoidevin.

(d)  Request that the City Council, Transport for West Midlands and National Express reconsider the location of the Number 10 bus service, Farcroft Avenue – 110 signatures, presented by Councillor Male.

(e)  Request signage and traffic control along Watery Lane – 46 signatures, presented by Councillor Birdi.

(f)  Opposing proposed provision of double yellow lines on Brackenhurst Road – 130 signatures, presented by Councillor Birdi.

(g)  Request action in respect of development of HIMOs on Cannon Park Estate and neighbouring residential areas – 178 signatures, presented by Councillor Sawdon.

(h)  Request to clear up land at rear of properties in Alfriston Road, Finham – 15 signatures, presented by Councillor Sawdon.

(i)  Request to the City Council to build on brownfield first and promise to protect our Green Belt – 42 signatures, presented by Councillor Sawdon.

(ii)  That petition (i) above be considered as part of the debate in relation to Minute 70 below (Adoption of the new Coventry City Council Local Plan and City Centre Area Action Plan)

As members of the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillors Male, Miks and Walsh declared disclosable pecuniary interests in the matter referred to in Minute 68 (Governance of the West Midlands Fire Service).  They withdrew from the meeting for consideration of this item.

As members of a number of organisations referred to in the report, Councillors Lepoidevin, Mayer, R. Singh and Welsh declared disclosable pecuniary interests in the matter referred to in minute 71 below (MiFriendly Cities – Successful Award of funds under EU Urban Innovative Actions Fund).  They withdrew from the meeting for consideration of this item.

Councillors Lapsa, Seaman and Thomas declared disclosable pecuniary interests in the matters referred to in Minutes 19 and 27 below, headed “City Centre South – Early Acquisition of Long Leasehold Property Interests”.  They withdrew from the meeting during the consideration of these matters.

From the Meeting of the Cabinet Member, Policing and Equalities, 26 October 2017

Further to Minute 10/17 of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities, the City Council considered a report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Services, which set out proposals for changes to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Scheme of Delegation, which forms part of Part 2M of Constitution to permit officers to revoke drivers’ licences where public safety required it.

Under the current Scheme of Delegation, the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and the Senior Licensing and Enforcement Officer have delegated powers to suspend a hackney carriage or private hire driver’s licence where it was necessary that immediate steps be taken in the interests of public safety.  Any such decisions were taken in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee (or in his/her absence the Deputy Chair or in the absence of either, the City Solicitor).  This provision had been used by officers to suspend a driver following allegations of impropriety or criminal behaviour and pending the Committee’s decision on whether to revoke the licence.

However, case law had confirmed that the power to suspend a licence under Section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous) Provisions 1976 was a final decision on the question of a person’s fitness and propriety.  It could not be used as an interim measure pending further investigations into a driver’s conduct.

This meant that if officers believe that an allegation was so serious that the driver should not be allowed to drive pending an investigation, they could not suspend the licence.  The only options were:

(a)  To allow the driver to continue to drive pending the matter coming to Committee, which could be some time; or

(b)  Delegate power to officers to revoke a licence where public safety requires it.  The driver would still have a right or appeal.

It was therefore proposed that the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Scheme of Delegation be changed to permit officers to revoke drivers licenses where public safety required it.

The proposed change had been considered by the Constitutional Advisory Panel at its meeting on 9^th October 2017.  The Panel had recommended that the Cabinet Member approve the changes.

It was further noted that powers were delegated to officers under the licensing scheme of delegation by the Licensing and Regulatory Committee and that was agreed at their meeting on 14 November 2017.  

RESOLVED that the City Council agree to the changes to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Scheme of Delegation being included in the Constitution.

From the Meeting of the Cabinet Member, Policing and Equalities, 26 October 2017

Further to Minute 9/17 of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities meeting, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), which set out the draft Member/Officer Protocol.

In 2016, the Acting Monitoring Officer conducted a review of governance arrangements at the City Council in the light of two critical public interest reports which were issued in respect of other councils.  As a result of that review, officers identified that it would be of benefit for the Council to approve and adopt a Member/Officer Protocol.  The purpose of the Protocol was to set out for both members and officers what was expected of them in their respective roles and what they could expect from each other.

A draft Protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee on 14^th September 2017.  As the protocol would be included in the Council’s Constitution, it was also considered by the Constitutional Advisory Panel on 9^th October 2017.  The Panel agreed to recommend the approval of the Protocol to the Cabinet Member, subject to an amendment to paragraph 8.2.2 of the Protocol.  This amendment was highlighted in the Draft Protocol appended to the report.

RESOLVED that the City Council agree to the Member/Officer Protocol being included in the Constitution.

From the Cabinet, 31 October 2017

Further to Minute 68/17 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) which provided notification that The Coventry Youth Offending Service (CYOS) Youth Justice Plan 2017-2018, had been agreed and signed off by its Statutory Partners, and sought Council endorsement of the Plan.  A copy was attached as an appendix to the report,

Youth Offending Teams were established under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (CDA). The functions assigned to the YOS included the duty upon the Local Authority under the Children Act 1989 to take all reasonable steps to encourage children not to commit offences. The Act imposed a duty on each Local Authority acting in co-operation with its Statutory Partners (Police, Health and Probation), to ensure that all youth justice services were available in their area to such an extent as it appropriate for the area.

The key tasks of the service were:

·  Assessing and delivering interventions to the out-of-court-disposal cohort

·  Management and delivery of community sentences

·  Management  and delivery of secure estate sentences and resettlement

·  Servicing the Youth Court and Crown Courts (in terms of provision of a court team, bail & health assessments, provision of pre-sentence reports and stand down reports)

·  Victim services

·  Parenting services and management of Parenting Orders

The CDA legislation also imposed a duty to complete and submit a Youth Justice Plan each year. The Plan provided an overview of CYOS achievements against key indicators, plans and targets, and identified the key strategic actions for the next 12 months.

Statutory Partners (Police Health, Probation, and Local Authority, represented by the Director of Children Services) agreed and signed off the Plan at CYOS Statutory Board meeting on 31st July 2017. 

RESOLVED that the City Council endorse the Youth Justice Plan.

From the Cabinet, 31 October 2017

Further to Minute 69/17 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Chief Executive which consulted constituent authorities on the now prepared Governance review and scheme for the proposed governance model of the West Midlands Fire Service (under the Mayoral West Midlands Combined Authority) prior to going out for formal public consultation.

The Governance Review, detailed in Appendix A to the report, provided a review of existing governance arrangements and functions, this included the proposed new model under the Mayoral combined authority.

The Scheme, set out in Appendix B to the report, detailed the roles, accountabilities, and powers required by each individual /body in the proposed governance model. 

Following constituent authority consultation on the Governance Review and Scheme, the Scheme must enter a formal public consultation in adherence to Section 112 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009. 

The Government would use these documents and the results of the consultation to approve the model and create an order to amend existing legislation, in order to confer the necessary powers on the Mayoral West Midland Combined Authority to carry out the functions currently exercised by the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority. 

The timetable for the proposals, set out in a table in the report, indicated that the WMFRA functions would finally transfer to the WMCA in November/ December 2018. Work was currently underway to implement a Reformed Fire Authority as an interim measure until WMFRA functions were transferred to and assumed by the Mayoral Combined Authority.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1)  Agrees that proposed arrangements for West Midlands Fire Service should include the West Midland Combined Authority Fire Service budget being ring fenced for Fire Service functions.

2)  Approves the prepared governance review and scheme.

3)  Agrees to move forward to public consultation for the scheme and proposed governance model.

Further to Minute 76/17 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), which sought adoption of the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The previous Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) was approved in October 2016 and set out the financial planning foundations to support the Council’s vision and priorities and led to the setting of the Council’s revenue and capital budgets.  Indications were that the Government was maintaining its commitment to the current 4 year funding settlement for local government.  To qualify for this, the Council approved an Efficiency Plan within the previously approved MTFS for 2017-20.

It was acknowledged that local authorities continue to face severe financial pressures and although the previous Government policy of targeting a budget surplus by 2020 had been pushed back, uncertainty as a result of Brexit negotiations and over the future of local government finances meant that the pressure on public finances was unlikely to ease significantly in the foreseeable future.  The MTFS 2018-21 assumed that reductions in available revenue resources and spending levels were likely to continue.

At a local level, the Council was faced with a challenging and fluid financial position affected by temporary shortfalls in the delivery of its existing savings plans and growing costs within Children’s Services and services related to housing and homelessness.  Notwithstanding the approaches set out in the Strategy, the Council would need to maintain a dynamic financial model that took account of changes in its medium term budget position.  This may include adopting some measures which would have a short-term focus or which re-evaluated the Council’s approach to financial risk.

The report summarised the national and local context that framed the strategy and, taken together, represented a combination of reducing resources, challenging underlying economic and demographic conditions, increased demand, a heightened need to improve the quality of services and new challenges represented by Government reform and local structural and governance relationships.  In these circumstances, it was crucial that the Council’s financial strategy was both robust and flexible. This would provide the financial foundations required to ensure that Council services were fit for purpose to protect the most vulnerable as well as providing decent core services for every citizen in the City.

The report also set out the financial gap for the following 3 years, based on the 2017/18 approved budget, at the start of the new Budget setting round.  This indicated that whilst it was anticipated there would be a balanced budget for 2018/19 and 2019/20, by 2020/21 it was anticipated there would be a financial gap of £11.4m.  It was noted that this position was dependent on the achievement of outstanding savings programmes over the medium term.  It total these amounted to c£20m and although there were plans in place to deliver the majority of these, there remained up to £6m of savings for which plans still needed to be formalised.

The Finance and Corporate Services Scrutiny Board (1) had considered the report at its meeting on 15  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

Further to Minute 78/17 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), which proposed the adoption of the new Coventry City Council Local Plan and City Centre Area Action Plan.

It was noted that, following a period of public examination, the Inspector had now issued her final reports in so far as they related to the City’s new Local Plan and City Centre Area Action Plan.  The reports concluded that both Plans were sound and legally compliant, subject to the inclusion of identified modifications.  This meant that the Council could move to adopt both the Local Plan and the City Centre Area Action Plan.  The Inspectors report was attached as Appendix 1 to the report submitted, with the schedule of minor and main modifications recommended, set out at Appendix 2.

Once adopted by the Council, the new Plans will become the basis for determining planning applications from the following day (6^th December 2017).  The legal framework that governed development plans meant that they will remain subject to a statutory 6 week legal challenge period.  This period was expected to run between the 6^th December 2017 and 17^th January 2018.  Should any such challenge arise, it would not directly impact on the material weight afforded to the Plans unless the challenge was successful through the high courts. 

The new Local Plan also provided an ongoing blue print for continued joint working with the City’s neighbouring authorities in Warwickshire and the wider West Midlands.  Both Plans would be monitored on at least an annual basis to ensure they were delivering successfully against their aims and objectives and to assess whether or not they required review, either partially or fully.

The City Council considered a petition bearing 42 signatures, submitted by Councillor Sawdon requesting the City Council to build on brownfield sites first and to promise to protect the Green Belt.

In moving the recommendations, Councillor L Bigham, Cabinet Member for Community Development indicated that she had considered the petitioners’ request.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1.  Adopt the Coventry City Council Local Plan 2011-2031 and the City Centre Area Action Plan in accordance with Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and that together they supersede the policies set out in the Council’s 2001 Development Plan as set out in Appendix 6 of the Local Plan Appendices.

2.  Note that the adopted Coventry Local Plan and City Centre Area Action Plan 2011-2031 are the Submitted Plans – 1^st April 2016 as amended by:

a.  The Inspector’s final report (as appropriate) (Appendix 1).

b.  The Schedule of Main Modifications recommended by the Inspector (Appendix 2).

c.  The Schedule of minor modifications (Appendix 2)

3.  Request that Adoption Statements and the final Sustainability Appraisal reports are made available on or as soon as possible after 6^th December 2017 in accordance with regulation 35 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

4.  Delegate authority to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

Further to Minute 79/17 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People), which sought approval for the acceptance of a grant from the Urban Innovation Actions Fund and for the Council to act as accountable body and guarantor for the grant.

A partnership led by the Council and Coventry University had been successfully awarded £3.8m in funding to deliver the innovative MiFriendly Cities initiative in Coventry and across the West Midlands.

The MiFriendly Cities project aimed to facilitate and recognise the positive contribution of refugees and migrant’s to the cities civic, economic and social fabric.  Refugees and migrants were key factors in deciding what makes a ‘migrant friendly city’ and drive the change on job creation, social entrepreneurship and innovation, active citizenship and communication.

The Council would work in a regional partnership with Birmingham and Wolverhampton local authorities, the West Midlands Combined Authority, as well as Coventry University (including its social enterprise hub), Interserve, Migrant Voice, Migrant Work, Refugee and Migrant Centre for Birmingham and the Black Country.  Local the Council would work closely with the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre, Coventry Law Centre and the wider Coventry Migration Network or voluntary and community sector partners.

It was noted that participation in this programme presented an opportunity to further enhance the City’s reputation as an International City of Peace and Reconciliation and to contribute towards the City’s priorities, in particular work to create active communities and empowering citizens, protecting the most vulnerable residents in the City and reducing the impact of poverty.  Additionally, the work would contribute to the Council meeting its statutory duties to promote equality of opportunity in employment and to promote community cohesion.

RESOLVED that the City Council approve acceptance of a grant in excess of £2.5m in relation to the Urban Innovation Actions Fund, authorise the City Council to act as accountable body and guarantor for the available funds and delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (People) to enter into the appropriate grant aid agreements with project partners.

Further to Minute 81/17 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), which sought approval to provide a financial facility arrangement to enable the development of an indoor pitch facility at the Alan Higgs Centre, as part of a larger development scheme.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Award Trust (CAWAT) owns the Alan Higgs Centre, and sought a loan of up to £1.5m from the Council to enable them to re-provide the current indoor pitch facility which would be displaced by the provision of the new 50m pool.  The new indoor pitch facility would primarily be for community use.

If CAWAT secured the funding from the Council, this would enable them to begin development of the site in time to ensure that the indoor pitch facility would be ready from September 2018, limiting the period of disruption to community access to the facilities.

It was proposed that the financial facility arrangement would be in the form of a 40 year loan to CAWAT, on a commercial basis and at a fixed commercial rate of interest.  This financial arrangement would be at no net cost to the Council, instead the loan would generate a surplus for the Council, as the cost of borrowing for Council funds were lower than the commercial rate at which the Council would lend.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1.  Approve in principle the grant of a loan facility up to the sum of £1.5m to the Coventry and Warwickshire Award Trust, at a commercial rate of interest for a period of up to 40 years as detailed in section 5.1 of the report submitted, for the provision of an indoor pitch facility at the Alan Higgs Centre.

2.  Approve the addition of up to £1.5m to the capital programme.

3.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and the Director of Finance and Corporate Services (Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport and the Legal Services Manager, to undertake all necessary due diligence and to finalise the terms and details of the loan arrangement and to thereafter manage the loan facility.  The authority under this recommendation shall include the power to negotiate and agree variations to the terms of the loan facility.

Further to Minute 83/17 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), which set out proposals for the Council to enter into a Strategic Partnership with the Historic Coventry Trust for the transfer of the Council’s historic properties.

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

The Council own a number of historically important heritage assets that were under used and required significant capital investment.  The Council neither had the funds or the expertise to restore the properties and, at present, the condition of these buildings was deteriorating.  It had been estimated that capital expenditure in excess of £3m would be required to ensure that they would be put back into a state of reasonable order.

To save and protect these assets for future generations, it was proposed to transfer identified heritage assets to the Historic Coventry Trust (HCT) to refurbish, maintain and manage.  The HCT would be able to secure grant funding to enable them to refurbish and bring these properties back into use.  The identified properties were:-

·  Council owned properties in Burges

·  Charterhouse Heritage Park

·  Drapers Hall

·  Anglican and Non-Conformist Chapels in London Road Cemetery

·  Lychgate Cottages (3-5 Priory Row)

·  Swanswell and Cook Street Gatehouses

·  Whitefriars Gatehouse and adjoining land

·  Whitefriars Monastery and adjoining land

The proposed Framework Agreement would establish an exclusivity period of five years for HTC to acquire the properties.  To activate the transfer, the HTC would have to submit a robust business case on a case by case basis to the Council for approval, satisfying set criteria, detailed within the report, illustrating how the properties could be managed and maintained for the long term benefit of the people of Coventry.

The aims of the HTC (a registered charity) were to raise funds for the historic properties for their restoration and reuse, thereby securing the assets for future generations, whilst improving and building upon the City Centre offer as a cultural and tourist destination.

It was also proposed that the Cabinet Member for Community Development become a Trustee and Board Member of the HCT in order to represent the Council and ensure the long term protection of the assets.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1.  Approve that the Council enter into the Framework Agreement with Historic Coventry Trust for a period of five years.

2.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration to transfer identified assets to Historic Coventry Trust subject to receipt of a satisfactory business case and secured funding satisfying the set criteria.

3.  Appoint the Cabinet Member for Community Development to the Board of Trustees for the Historic Coventry Trust.

4.  Delegate authority to Legal Services Manager to execute all the necessary documentation to give effect to all the subsequent transfers.

5.  Approve the set criteria that the Historic Coventry Trust must satisfy in their business case before the historic asset transfer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

Further to Minute 84/17 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), which set out proposals for the Council’s financial commitments for the UK City of Culture programme if the Bid is successful and for a reduced contribution towards bid legacy if the City is not selected as the UK City of Culture 2021.

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

On 14^th July 2015, the Council unanimously approved that the Coventry City of Culture Steering Group lead on the development of a whole-city bid for the title of UK City of Culture 2021, in doing so putting together a realistic and credible bid budget and creating a special delivery vehicle to manage the bid process.  As a consequence of these decisions, the Coventry City of Culture Trust was established to lead the bid and was formally incorporated and received charitable status.

In January 2017, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) formally launched the competition for the title of UK City of Culture 2021.  In July 2017, Coventry was selected as one of five destinations shortlisted for the title and in September 2017, the Trust submitted the City’s final bid document.  Members of the Independent Advisory Panel and DCMS have since visited the City. 

It was acknowledged that the award of UK City of Culture represented more than a title. As the bidding process had demonstrated, it was an opportunity to create new partnerships, to bring communities together and to celebrate the rich heritage and unique qualities of a city.  It was also an opportunity, through culture, to raise the profile of a city, to attract new investors and to enable significant regeneration in and of the place.  The city effectively would have the benefit of the title for seven years from announcement, through delivery year to three years legacy.

The Council had already demonstrated significant commitment to the process of bidding, but it was considered advantageous to provide certainty of that ongoing commitment, and the security of all the title stands for, should UK City of Culture 2021 be awarded to Coventry.

Coventry had developed a partnership Cultural Strategy 2017-2027 which would endure and remain vibrant, whether or not the City was successful in its bid for UK City of Culture.  The Council had, over the past three years, directly invested in the city’s independent cultural sector and through Great Place and Cultural Destinations awards, to work that has commenced to reposition the city as a destination for tourism and events will progress.  However, by demonstrating a clear financial commitment to (i) the City of Culture build-up programme (ii) the comprehensive programme for 2021, and (iii) the legacy period to 2024, the Council signalled its commitment for the next seven years, until a new city would deliver UK City of Culture 2025.  Through phasing such investment, the Council secured sustainability in such arrangements and provided  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

Further to Minute 85/17 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), which set out proposals for the Council’s early acquisition of a third party’s long leasehold property interests in the City Centre South red line boundary area and, subject to the acquisition being successful, the demolition of Coventry Point. 

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

The City Centre South (CCS) scheme was a mixed use regeneration scheme in Coventry city centre. The site was located in a pedestrianised shopping area, which was built after World War II.  The area and buildings are not fit for purpose for modern retailing requirements and provided an extremely poor environment.  The general trend was one of decline and, for this reason, the area had been identified for regeneration for a considerable number of years.  A plan showing the CCS red line boundary area was attached as Appendix 1 to the report submitted.  It was noted that the Council had secured a £98.8m grant from the West Midlands Combined Authority towards the cost of the CCS scheme.

The Council already owned the majority of the land and property interests in the CCS red line boundary area.  However, there were a number of properties that were held by third parties.  Some of these long leasehold property interests comprised of the assets of 21-25 Hertford Street, 26-48 Hertford Street, 13-21 Shelton Square and Coventry Point.  The opportunity to acquire these long leasehold interests had arisen, with the purchase needing to be completed by 31^st December 2017.  The report submitted set out the benefits of acquiring the long leasehold interests at this stage.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1.  Approve the terms of the acquisition of the long leasehold property interests at 21-15 Hertford Street, 26-48 Hertford Street, 13-21 Shelton Square and Coventry Point, subject to the current tenancy.

2.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) in conjunction with the Legal Services Manager to undertake the necessary due diligence and to complete the necessary legal documentation.

3.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration, for any subsequent variation in terms.

4.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and S151 Officer in consultation with the Leader and the Legal Services Manager to make any additional early land acquisitions as is deemed necessary where such acquisition represents value for money.

5.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and S151 Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources to draw down funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority to undertake the demolition of Coventry Point.

Further to Minute 86/17 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), which set out proposals for a consortium consisting of the Council, Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership and WMG (Warwick University’s specialist manufacturing division) to work together to develop a proposals to develop a national battery manufacturing development facility in the area.

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

The report indicated that more and more car manufacturers were announcing their intention to move towards building electric cars, and the demand for batteries would increase sharply over the next ten to twenty years.  Currently, expertise in battery development was concentrated in Asia, Germany and the United States, with the UK lagging behind.

The UK Government announced the Faraday Challenge, part of the Industrial Strategy Fund during the summer of 2017.  It aimed to fund battery research and development work to ensure that the demand for batteries led to the creation of jobs in the UK rather than overseas.

One of the strands of the Faraday Challenge aimed to bridge the gap between battery research in universities and large-scale battery production by car manufacturers.  The national battery manufacturing development facility (NBMDF) aimed to bridge this gap by providing an environment where universities, SMEs and car manufacturers could collaborate on battery development using state of the art equipment.

The University of Warwick, Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the Council had come together to develop a proposition in response to the Faraday Challenge.  The bid was submitted earlier in the autumn and had now got through to the final stage of the bidding process, with an announcement on the successful bid expected from Government imminently.  The Council was confident that Coventry and Warwickshire offered the best solution for the Government’s aspiration in this area.  It had been estimated that the value of the NBMDF’s work could be worth as much as £1bn to the economy and create 10,000 jobs in the West Midlands.

It was acknowledged that the Council had a significant role in making this happen by bringing its expertise to the partnership.  This included financial management, Government liaison, and a strong knowledge and experience in securing, managing and delivering economic development over many years, both in Coventry and the wider sub-region.  In addition the Council had a proven track record in being the accountable body for successful large scale external funding and investment.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1.  Authorise that the Council accept the Faraday Challenge funding and to act as accountable body on behalf of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

2.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and the Director of Finance and Corporate Services to accept the terms and conditions of the grant, to enter into the necessary agreement to secure the grant and add to the Capital Programme as necessary.

3.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place),  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

Councillors provided written answers to the question set out in the Questions Booklet, together with oral responses to supplementary questions put to them at the meeting.

The following Members answered oral questions put to them by other Members as set out below, together with supplementary questions on the same matters:

(a)  The Leader of the Council made a statement in respect of “Progress on the Combined Authority”.

Councillor Ridley responded to the statement.

(b)  The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People made a statement in respect of “Children’s Services Improvement Plan”.

Councillor Lepoidevin responded to the statement.

To be moved by Councillor Abbott and seconded by Councillor Welsh:

“This Council calls upon the Government to pause the roll out of Universal Credit to allow for a full and comprehensive review of the impact that this system is having on claimants and their families.

We call upon Coventry’s 3 MPs to take this forward and support this motion in Parliament.” 

The following Motion was moved by Councillor Abbot and seconded by Councillor Welsh:

“This Council calls upon the Government to pause the roll out of Universal Credit to allow for a full and comprehensive review of the impact that this system is having on claimants and their families.

We call upon Coventry’s three MPs to take this forward and support this motion in Parliament”

RESOLVED that the Motion as set out above be adopted.

Note: In accordance with the Constitution, a recorded vote was taken.

The Councillors voting for and against the motion were as follows:

Result: Carried

For: 26

Against: 8

Abstentions: 0

(Listing Officer: J Grant, tel: 024 7683 3674)

Further to Minute 73 above, the City Council considered a private report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), which set out the confidential aspects of proposals for the Council to enter into a Strategic Partnership with the Historic Coventry Trust for the transfer of the Council’s historic properties.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1.  Approve that the Council enter into the Framework Agreement with Historic Coventry Trust for a period of five years.

2.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration to transfer identified assets to Historic Coventry Trust subject to receipt of a satisfactory business case and secured funding satisfying the set criteria.

3.  Appoint the Cabinet Member for Community Development to the Board of Trustees for the Historic Coventry Trust.

4.  Delegate authority to Legal Services Manager to execute all the necessary documentation to give effect to all the subsequent transfers.

5.  Approve the set criteria that the Historic Coventry Trust must satisfy in their business case before the historic asset transfer can be completed, as set out in paragraph 2.1.14 of the report submitted.

6.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration, to make any subsequent variation in relation to the terms of the proposals in this report.

(Listing Officer: D Nuttall, tel: 024 7683 2362)

Further to Minute 74 above the City Council considered a private report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), which set out the confidential aspects of proposals for the Council’s financial commitments for the UK City of Culture programme if the Bid is successful and for a reduced contribution towards bid legacy if the City is not selected as the UK City of Culture 2021.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1.  Commit £4.75m of Corporate Reserves for the UK City of Culture 2021 build-up programme, title year and legacy programme (across the period 2018-2024), to be drawn down if the City is awarded the title.

2.  Commit £0.75m of Corporate Reserves for cultural capacity funding as a legacy from the bidding process and commitment to the Coventry Cultural Strategy 2017-2027, should the City not be awarded the UK City of Culture 2021 title, to provide leverage to secure other partner commitments through the City of Culture Trust.

3.  Agree to act as guarantor for the UK City of Culture 2021 programme, should Coventry be awarded the title for 2021.

4.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and the Director of Finance and Corporate Services to finalise the terms and condition of the Guarantee.

(Listing Officer: D Cockroft, tel: 024 7683 3964)

Further to Minute 75 above the City Council considered a private report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), which set out confidential aspects of proposals for the Council’s early acquisition of a third party’s long leasehold property interests in the City Centre South red line boundary area and, subject to the acquisition being successful, the demolition of Coventry Point.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1.  Approve the terms of the acquisition from the Company identified for the long leasehold property investments in 21-25 Hertford Street, 26-48 Hertford Street, 13-21 Shelton Square and Coventry Point, subject to the current tenancy, up to a value indicated in the report submitted.

2.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) in conjunction with the Legal Services Manager to undertake the necessary due diligence and to complete the necessary legal documentation.

3.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration, for any subsequent variation in terms.

4.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and S151 Officer in consultation with the Leader and the Legal Services Manager to make any additional early land acquisition as is deemed necessary by way of Private Treaty, where such acquisition represents value for money.

5.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and S151 Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources to draw down funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority to undertake the demolition of Coventry Point.

(Listing Officer: A Williams, tel: 024 7683 3731)

Further to Minute 76 above, the City Council considered a private report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), which set out confidential aspects of the proposals for a consortium consisting of the Council, Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership and WMG (Warwick University’s specialist manufacturing division) to work together to develop a proposals to develop a national battery manufacturing development facility in the area.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1.  Authorise that the Council accept the Faraday Challenge funding of the sum indicated within the report and to act as accountable body on behalf of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

2.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and the Director of Finance and Corporate Services to accept the terms and conditions of the grant, to enter into the necessary agreement to secure the grant and add to the Capital Programme as necessary.

3.  Authorise the establishment of a joint venture private Limited Company between the Council and the preferred partners as detailed in the report to run the National Battery Manufacturing Development Facility and the appointment of Director of Finance & Corporate Services and Director of Property and Project Management as company directors.

4.  Delegate authority to the Legal Services Manager in consultation with Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration to take the necessary steps to establish the joint venture company, including approval of a shareholder agreement to be entered into between the Council and the preferred partners.

5.  Authorise the use of part of the Faraday Challenge grant to facilitate the construction of the building and to purchase the necessary equipment and fund start up and operational costs (“the Facility”).

6.  Authorise the Council to transfer the Facility (by way of a lease) to the joint venture company and collect a return for the company’s use of the Council owned assets (the building and the equipment).

7.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and the Director of Finance and Corporate Services to undertake all due diligence and finalise the terms of any such transfer of the Facility to the joint venture company.

8.  Authorise the use of the return received from the use of the Facility to cover any staff costs required as a consequence of the Council’s involvement in the project.

9.  Authorise submission of a funding bid to the West Midlands Combined Authority to secure grant funding to the sum indicated in the report and, if successful, to enter into a grant aid agreement with the West Midlands Combined Authority to fund and deliver the National Battery Manufacturing Development Facility as set out in the report. 

10.  Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration, to:

•  determine the final content of the relevant business cases required to submit the bid to the West Midlands Combined Authority

•  submit the relevant Strategic Outline Business Cases to the West Midlands Combined Authority in relation to the work packages within the National Battery Manufacturing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.