Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 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 reports.

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 reports involve the likely disclosure of exempt information  as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act as it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of a particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all of the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Minute 96   Re-provision of Coventry’s Indoor Bowls Facility

Minute 97   Friargate Joint Venture

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 Mark Friday with the Good Citizen Award. His citation read:

“Mark has dedicated his adult life to making a contribution to the local community in Coventry through sports. In the last 15 years he has been Chairman and Manager of Ernesford Dynamos Football Club providing support for over 100 local children. His role at the club goes beyond coaching. Mark spends his evenings convening meetings concerning the club, arranging events and fundraisers and dealing with a range of club related issues so that the children are provided with a safe, fun and rewarding sporting environment. The dedication and hard work Mark has put in to the club is endless.  He is there from the early hours of the morning setting up until the evening helping to clear up when everyone else has gone home. The rest of his time is spent writing match reports, liaising with the league and supporting managers and coaches with any issues. He is involved from one end of the spectrum to the other, teaching older players to be ambassadors and role models to the younger players and giving them opportunities and support to get into coaching and refereeing. He also supports the managers and coaches who are looking after the new generation of Dynamos to ensure that the club’s ethos and values are embedded throughout the organisation.

Mark has also supported children with learning and behavioural difficulties to integrate into the game and has succeeded were other teams and clubs have failed. He treats all the children as individuals and believes passionately that football is for everyone given the right support and guidance, never giving up on anyone. Mark’s passion and commitment to the children at the club is evident and at their end of season presentation recognises their contribution however big or small.

In addition to Mark’s football commitments he has been Chair of the Board of Directors at Caludon Castle since 2009 and works full time as an Accountant. It is evident that through his community work he has shown tremendous commitment to the people of Coventry.

 His actions justly reflect his character and he is well deserving of this Good Citizen Award”.

a)  Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

The Lord Mayor referred to the Royal visit that took place earlier in the day and commented that it was a great occasion for the City to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

This was the first opportunity for the city to showcase how becoming the UK City of Culture 2021 could make a difference for our citizens. He thanked colleagues who joined him for the Litany of Peace and Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral.

b)  New Year Honours

The Lord Mayor referred to the award made to Ian Harrabin in the recent New Year’s Honours List. Ian was awarded an MBE for services to heritage and regeneration of the City.

Members noted that a letter of congratulations had been sent to Ian, on behalf of the City Council.

c)  Congratulations to Finham Park School

The Lord Mayor referred to the GLOBAL Confucius Classroom of the Year title awarded to Finham Park School for the school’s development in teaching Mandarin Chinese and links with sister schools in Shanghai.

Members noted that a letter of congratulations had been sent to Mark Bailie the Executive Head Teacher and the staff in the Modern Foreign Languages Department.

d)  Councillor L Bigham

The Lord Mayor referred to Councillor L Bigham’s recent accident and operation and joined Members in wishing her the very best for a speedy recovery.

e)  Cyrille Regis

The Lord Mayor referred to the sudden and untimely death of Cyrille Regis, the Former England and Coventry City Football Club player, who played a crucial role in Coventry’s FA cup winning side in 1987.

Cyrille was a true professional, a role model and a pioneer for black footballers in the game. 

Members noted that a letter of condolence would be sent to Cyrille’s family expressing the Council’s sincere condolences.

f)  Geoff Seward

Members noted the recent death of Geoff Seward who passed away after a long illness. Geoff had worked tirelessly for the residents of Finham.

The Lord Mayor confirmed that a letter of condolence would be sent to Geoff’s family expressing the Council’s sincere condolences.

RESOLVED:

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

(a)  Request to implement road safety measures around Manor Park School Cheylesmore – 375 signatures, presented by Councillor Bailey.

(b)  Request for bollards to be installed in the back alley between Kirkdale Avenue and Selworthy Road to stop fly tipping – 17 signatures, presented by Councillor Lucas.

Councillor R Ali declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in the matter the subject of Minute 95 below headed “Debates”. He left the meeting during the consideration of this item.

Further to Minute 102/17 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which detailed proposals for the re-provision of Coventry’s indoor bowls facility at the Avenue Bowls Club, Gaveston Road, Coventry.

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

In September 2014, Coventry City Council unanimously approved investment in a new city centre destination sport and leisure facility and approved a ten-year partnership Sport Strategy for the City, underpinned by a new Indoor Facilities Strategy, Playing Pitch Strategy and Aquatic Strategy. Coventry’s Indoor Facilities Strategy highlighted the need to explore the feasibility of future sustainable provision for indoor bowls in the City.

Within the initial ‘Sports Investment Model’, £1m was earmarked for investment in bowls re-provision. Following detailed feasibility work and further discussions, the proposed level of investment increased to £2.05m as this level of investment would enable re-provision of the existing six rink indoor bowls facilities, toilets and office accommodation at the club site, designed to encourage and support growth in participation. This work was part of a strategic, city-wide development approach to key sports and public leisure facilities.

The proposal for the development of an indoor bowls facility at The Avenue Bowls Club, Gaveston Road, Coventry, subject to planning permission, was supported by the existing and proven, strong and sustainable Club governance, with a sustainable business plan that would deliver an on-going annual rental income back to the Council.

Locating the indoor bowls facility at this site would consolidate an indoor and outdoor bowls offer on one site, as well as offering 12-month access to indoor bowls provision which would further contribute to the sustainability of the business plan.

The proposed development would enable the enhancement of facilities designed to support and encourage growth in a range of forms of participation in bowls across the city for example, junior leagues, regional/national competitions, casual bowling and health programmes; within a strategic, citywide development approach to key sports and public leisure facilities.

The following amendment (in italics) was moved by Councillor R Bailey, seconded by Councillor G Ridley and lost:

  “The Council is requested to defer the decision to approve the addition of £2.05m to the capital programme for 2018/2019 onwards for the development of a new indoor bowls facility at The Avenue Bowls Club in Coventry until a one month consultation has taken place with local residents concerning the development. Within the £2.05m, £0.12m relates to management and design development costs as per paragraph 5.1.10.2” 

RESOLVED that the City Council approves the addition of £2.05m, to the capital programme for 2018/2019 onwards, £0.12m of the £2.05m relating to management and design development costs as indicated in paragraph 5.1.10.2 of the report, for the development of a new indoor bowls facility at The Avenue Bowls Club, Gaveston Road, Coventry.

Further to Minute 103/17 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which sought approval on the proposals for the City Council to enter into a joint venture partnership with Friargate LLP.

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

The Friargate masterplan was conceived by CannonCannon Kirk, the founders of Friargate LLP, who assembled the majority of the land required to regenerate the area around Coventry Railway Station. In 2013, the Council approved starting the Friargate Business District to regenerate the City, transform the Council and deliver savings, through the purchase of the first building on Friargate for occupation by the City Council (Cabinet minute 13/13 and Council minute 30/13 referred).

As part of the West Midlands Combined Authority investment programme, £150m was identified to fund regeneration in Coventry. In January 2017 £98.8m was approved for City Centre South and it was proposed circa £51.2m was allocated to Friargate to build Number two Friargate. (Cabinet minute 104/17 and Council minute 102/17 referred).

Approval was sought to enter into a 50/50 joint venture partnership with Friargate LLP across the whole Friargate development to bring forward the speculative second building as quickly as possible. Approval was also sought, subject to approval of the Full Business Case, to accept the grant for £51.2m from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and use it to provide a loan to the joint venture company to construct number Two Friargate.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1)  Approve that the City Council accept a grant funding of £51.2 million from the West Midlands Combined Authority and delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and Director of Finance and Corporate Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources, the authority to enter into the necessary grant funding agreement to secure the grant.

2)  Approve (following completion of recommendation 1 above)  the capital investment to purchase a 50% equity stake in all of the land within the Friargate Masterplan and to delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and the Director of Finance and Corporate Services, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources to enter into the Shareholder agreement, on the basis that the Council will see a commercial return on this investment over the medium term.

3)  Approve a loan to Friargate LLP on commercial market terms to enable them to complete the necessary actions to effect the release of charges over the land within the Friargate Masterplan.

4)  Approve the creation of a budget for £0.5m per annum to fund development costs for the first three years (total commitment of £1.5 million), funded from capital receipts, to match Friargate's contribution to fund the LLP, promote the scheme to investors and secure development.

5)  Approve that £51.2million is added to the Council’s capital programme, all  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.

(a)  Written Question – Booklet 1

(b)  Oral Questions to Chairs of Scrutiny Boards/Chair of Scrutiny

Co-ordination Committee

(c)  Oral Questions to Chairs of other meetings

(d)  Oral Questions to Representatives on Outside Bodies

(e)  Oral Questions to Cabinet Members and Deputy Cabinet Members on any matter

Councillors provided written answers to the question’s 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 the “City of Culture”.

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 R Bailey and seconded by Councillor J Lepoidevin:

"This Council recognises the literary contribution made by George Eliot and resolves to celebrate her links with the city. This Council resolves to explore every option to ensure that the Coventry home of George Eliot is open and accessible to the public and visitors we can expect to receive during our City of Culture year."

The following Motion was moved by Councillor R Bailey and seconded by Councillor J Lepoidevin:

  “This Council recognises the literary contribution made by George Eliot and resolves to celebrate her links with the city. This Council resolves to explore every option to ensure that the Coventry home of George Eliot is open and accessible to the public and visitors we can expect to receive during our City of Culture year.”

Councillor G Duggins proposed the following amendment, which was seconded by Councillor A Khan and carried: 

  After the words “celebrate her links with the City” at the end of the first sentence, the rest of the Debate be deleted”.

The amended Motion now to read:

“This Council recognises the literary contribution made by George Eliot and resolves to celebrate her links with the City”.

RESOLVED that the amended Motion as set out above be adopted.

(Note: Councillor R Ali left the meeting for the consideration of this item.)

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

Further to Minute 91 above and Minute 107/17 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a private report of the Duputy Chief Executive (Place) that set out the confidential aspects of proposals for the re-provision of Coventry’s indoor bowls facility at The Avenue Bowls Club, Gaveston Road, Coventry.

RESOLVED that the City Council approves the addition of £2.05m, to the capital programme for 2018/2019 onwards, £0.12m of the £2.05m relating to management and design development costs as indicated in paragraph 5.1.10.2 of the report, for the development of a new indoor bowls facility at The Avenue Bowls Club, Gaveston Road, Coventry.

(Listing Officer: D Cockcroft, Tel: 024 7683 3964)

Further to Minute 92 above and 108/17 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a  private report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that set out the confidential aspects of proposals for the City Council to enter into a joint venture partnership with Friargate LLP.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1)  Approve that the City Council accept a grant funding of £51.2 million from the West Midlands Combined Authority and delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and Director of Finance and Corporate Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources, the authority to enter into the necessary grant funding agreement to secure the grant.

2)  Approve (following completion of recommendation 1 above)  the capital investment to purchase a 50% equity stake in all of the land within the Friargate Masterplan and to delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and the Director of Finance and Corporate Services, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources to enter into the Shareholder agreement, on the basis that the Council will see a commercial return on this investment over the medium term.

3)  Approve a loan to Friargate LLP on commercial market terms to enable them to complete the necessary actions to effect the release of charges over the land within the Friargate Masterplan.

4)  Approve the creation of a budget for £0.5m per annum to fund development costs  for the first three years (total commitment of £1.5 million), funded from capital receipts, to match Friargate's contribution to fund the LLP, promote the scheme to investors and secure development.

5)  Approve that £51.2million is added to the Council’s capital programme, all funded from the West Midlands Combined Authority grant.

6)  Approve the Council representation on these boards be agreed by the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and Director of Finance and Corporate Services, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources, once the format of these boards is established as part of the final terms of the agreement; and that the Council representation on the LLP Members Shareholders Panel will be from members of the Cabinet.