Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Lord Mayor, Councillor Blundell, the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Bigham chaired the meeting.

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 Minute 66 below headed “Coombe Abbey Park Ltd – Capital Financing and Country Park Investment”, on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of information defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act as it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and that in all of the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2018 were signed as a true record.

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

On behalf of the City Council, the Deputy Lord Mayor and His Honour Judge Lockhart QC presented Kare Adenegan with the Good citizen Award. Her citation read:-

“Kare took up wheelchair racing in 2012 after being inspired by the Summer Paralympics in London. At school she found herself excluded from sports due to her Cerebral Palsy, but the Paralympics made her realise that sport was open to her. That year she joined a wheelchair academy in Coventry and, after becoming classified as a T34 athlete, she began competing at national meets in 2013.

At the age of 13 Kare was called into the GB wheelchair team as an elite wheelchair athlete and entered her first international competition winning a bronze medal at the Athletics Diamond League in 2014. Since 2015 Kare has won three Paralympic medals at the Rio Paralympic Games and five World Championship medals.

In July 2018, at the London Anniversary Games and Athletics Diamond League, Kare broke the World Record for the T34 100 metres race in 16:80 seconds. She is the only woman in the T34 to have completed the 100 metres under 17 seconds.

Along with sport, Kare also excels in her education. Whilst representing GB in championships Kare missed six weeks of her schooling. Despite this Kare achieved 8 A* in her GCSEs showing her determination and dedication to succeed, just two of the many qualities she applies to all aspects of her life.

Kare sets aside time from her education and busy training schedule to visit schools in Coventry and the UK and also supports local charitable work.  She continues to support and raise funds for the UHWC Special Baby Unit, where she was born in 2000, in recognition of their dedication to saving lives and the rehabilitation of young children with disabilities.

Kare carries herself in a manner which defies her age. She is a true inspiration and role model for all. Her dedication and courage justly reflect her character and she is well deserving of this Good Citizen Award.”

(a)  Local Democracy Week

On behalf of the Council, the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor L Bigham, welcomed students who were attending the meeting as part of Local Democracy Week

(b)  Andrew Dixon

The Deputy Lord Mayor referred to the announcement in December 2017 that Coventry was to be the City of Culture 2021. This transformative accolade was secured in no small part by Andrew Dixon, who acted as Bid Adviser over the course of the process following his success in Hull.

During his time in the City, Andrew worked closely with the City Council, Coventry City of Culture Trust, Universities, artists and stakeholders to ensure the bid was a success, cultivating new partnerships and placing Coventry at the forefront of cultural place-making.

RESOLVED that the warmest thanks of the City Council are due and are hereby given to Andrew Dixon for his work on the City of Culture 2021 Bid and that an Illuminated Copy of this Resolution, under the Common Seal, be presented to him for his services to the City.

(c)  Birthday Honours

The Deputy Lord Mayor referred to Dr Abdullah Shehu who last month was awarded an honorary MBE by Her majesty the Queen in recognition of his services to healthcare and his voluntary services to community cohesion in Coventry.

Members noted that a letter of congratulations had been sent to him.

(d)  100^th Anniversary of the End of World War 1

The Council observed a Minute’s silence to mark the centenary of the Armistice this year and to honour all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War.

RESOLVED that the following petitions be referred to the appropriate City Council bodies:

(a)  Petition stating that our voices are not being heard, green belt land across Coventry and Warwickshire is under threat from being lost to housing development forever – 406 signatures, presented by Councillor Williams.

(b)  Petition against the proposed parking of vehicles on the grassed area adjacent to the Saracens Club Sports Ground in Binley – 59 signatures, presented by Councillor Lakha.

(c)  Petition opposing the proposed Ball Hill Traffic improvements scheme which will cause pollution and congestion in a residential area – 109 signatures, presented by Councillor McNicholas.

(d)  Petition calling for a small anonymous square to be named in honour of Terry Harvey – 109 signatures, presented by Councillor Male.

(e)  Objection to planning application FUL/2018/2167 on Barrow Close – 15 signatures, presented by Councillor Maton.

(f)  Objection to planning application FUL/2018/2063 for hospital car park – 269 signatures, presented by Councillor Maton

(g)  Safety measures around West Coventry Academy – 390 signatures, presented by Councillor Kelly

(h)  Objection to planning application to demolish the Coventry Cross with no firm plans to rebuild – 436 signatures, presented by Councillor Bailey

Councillor G Duggins declared an interest in the item of business referred to in Minute 62 below relating to “Coventry Good Citizen Award” as he was one of the proposed recipients of the Award.

Councillor Duggins left the meeting for the consideration of this item. 

From the Cabinet, 2 October 2018

Further to Minute 43 /18 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which presented the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2019-20122 for adoption by the City Council. The previous strategy was approved in December 2017.

The Strategy sets out the financial planning foundations that support the Council’s vision and priorities and the financial and policy context for the Council’s forthcoming Budget process. Cabinet would consider proposals within the Pre-Budget Report in November and the final Budget Setting Report would be brought to Cabinet and Council in February 2019.

RESOLVED that the City Council approves the Strategy as the basis of its medium term financial planning process.

From the Cabinet, 2 October 2018

Further to Minute 49/18 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which sought approval to proceed with an investment into Coombe Abbey Country Park and Coombe Abbey Park Ltd (CAPL) on a commercial arm’s length basis.

A corresponding private report was also submitted to the meeting setting out the commercially confidential matters of the proposal (Minute 65 below refers).

 In December 2017, the City Council purchased 100% of the shares in CAPL, the operator of Coombe Abbey Hotel. Following the purchase, the City Council has explored greater joined up working between CAPL and the City Council.

The report set out three proposals, which included the provision of a capital loan facility to CAPL; entering into a lease to enable a high wire assault course to be built; and entering into a lease with CAPL on the existing catering space in Top Pool Lodge to establish a second café for Coombe Country Park and undertake de minimis works to the property before doing so. 

The Council refinanced CAPL on 29^th November 2013 with a loan which was repayable over 15 years, ending in November 2028. CAPL would continue to service this debt from its existing revenue streams under the City Council’s ownership and the securities from this loan remain in place for a further 10 years. It was proposed that a maximum facility of £1.95m is made available to CAPL over the next 10 years, this period being in line with the Council’s existing loan facility to CAPL. The new facility would ensure that appropriate security was obtained in order to protect the Council.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1.  Approves in principle the grant of a capital loan facility up to the sum of £1.95m for Coombe Abbey Park Ltd.

2.  Delegates authority to Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and the Director of Finance and Corporate Services (Section 151 Officer) or nominated representative, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources and the City Solicitor, to undertake all necessary due diligence and to finance 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.

3.  Approves the addition of £1.95m to the Council’s approved capital programme for the purposes of a capital loan facility to Coombe Abbey Park Ltd, financed from capital receipts.

Further to Minute 16/18 of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities, the City Council considered a report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Services which sought approval to a Monitoring Officer Protocol and agreement to it being included in the Constitution.

The decision to draft a Monitoring Officer Protocol had arisen from the Ethics Committee’s consideration of public interest reports issued in connection with two other Councils. The report indicated that a Monitoring Officer Protocol is beneficial as it sets out for both members and officers the roles and responsibilities of the Monitoring Officer, what resources should be available to the Monitoring Officer and how they will discharge those duties. It also sets out what is expected of Members and other officers in terms of keeping the Monitoring Officer informed to ensure the effective and efficient discharge of their roles and responsibilities. Such Protocols are considered to be good practice.

The draft Protocol had been drafted both to reflect current practices within the Council and best practice in other local authorities and sets out the statutory responsibilities of the Monitoring Officer and how those would be discharged. It was partly a statement of current practice and convention. In some respects, however, it seeks to promote greater clarity and certainty. In particular, it made it clear that the Monitoring Officer could only fulfil their statutory functions with the assistance and co-operation of Members and Officers.

The Protocol outlined working arrangements including:-

   • Access to resources

   • Access to information

   • The relationship between the Monitoring Officer, other statutory

    officers, leading members and external bodies

   • Standards matters

   • The Constitution

The monitoring and review of the Protocol would be the responsibility of the Monitoring Officer.

RESOLVED that the City Council approves the Monitoring Officer Protocol, as appended to the report submitted, and agrees to it being included in the Constitution.

Note: There is no corresponding private report on the agenda in respect of this item as the Recommendations will be considered in public at the meeting.

Further to Minute 17/18 of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which sought approval to the recommendations of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities to grant the Coventry Award of Merit to the recipients recommended.

A number of nominations had been received by the City Council for the Coventry Award of Merit from a variety of sources. The nominations were considered by the all-party Advisory Panel at its meeting on 25 September, 2018, the membership of which included the Honorary Recorder and the Lord Mayor.

A corresponding private report had been considered by the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities which detailed the advice of the Advisory Panel in relation to the proposed recipients of the Award. The Advisory Panel had also recommended that, where the Cabinet Member was minded to accept its advice that he would have to consult the proposed recipients prior to presenting proposals for approval to Council on 16 October, 2018 and therefore pending such consultation the nominations should remain confidential.

There was no corresponding private report on the Council agenda in respect of this item as the Recommendations were considered in public at the meeting.

RESOLVED that, the City Council grants the Coventry Award of Merit to:-

1.  Jane Frankish, Headteacher, Broad Heath Community Primary School

2.  Kerry Blakeman, former Chief Inspector of Police

3.  Roger Medwell DL, former Chairman and CEO of NP Aerospace, former Chair and current Vice Chair of Coventry Godiva Harriers and Chair of Culture Coventry

4.  Councillor George Duggins, Leader, Coventry City Council

Note: Councillor Duggins left the meeting for the consideration of this item.

(a)  Written Question – There are no written questions

(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

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 Cabinet Member for Policy and Leadership, Councillor Duggins, made a Statement in respect of “Progress on the Combined Authority”.

Councillor Ridley responded to the Statement.

(b)  The Leader of the Council, Councillor Duggins, made a Statement in respect of the recent Court of Appeal Judgement

Councillor Ridley responded to the Statement.

(c)  The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Seaman, made a Statement in respect of “Children’s Services Improvement Plan”.

Councillor Lepoidevin responded to the Statement.

To be moved by Councillor R Brown and seconded by Councillor P Akhtar:

“That this Council notes the unprecedented rise in crime within the City.

These are not just crimes against property such as burglaries, but a rise in crimes against persons.

The effect of this on some of the residents in our local communities is to make them frightened, intimidated and in many cases isolated.

The obvious solution to this it to give our Police Force the tools they need to do their job. There must be a more visible presence of Officers on the streets and resources available for the detection of crime.

Therefore this Council will petition the Government to act now and to make the funding available for our Police Force to carry out its duties and responsibilities in keeping the streets safe for all our citizens”.

The following Motion was moved by Councillor Brown and seconded by Councillor P Akhtar:

“That this Council notes the unprecedented rise in crime within the City.

These are not just crimes against property such as burglaries, but a rise in crimes against persons.

The effect of this on some of the residents in our local communities is to make them frightened, intimidated and in many cases isolated.

The obvious solution to this is to give our Police Force the tools they need to do their job. There must be a more visible presence of Officers on the streets and resources available for the detection of crime.

Therefore this Council will petition the Government to act now and to make the funding available for our Police Force to carry out its duties and responsibilities in keeping the streets safe for all our citizens.”

RESOLVED that the Motion, as set out above, be unanimously adopted.

(Listing Officer: A Walster, tel: 024 7683 2621)

Further to Minute 55/18 of the Cabinet and 59 above, the City Council considered a private report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which set out the commercially confidential matters relating to proposals to proceed with an investment into Coombe Abbey Country Park and Coombe Abbey Park Ltd (CAPL) on a commercial arms length basis.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1.  Approves in principle the grant of a capital loan facility up to the sum of £1.95m for Coombe Abbey Park Ltd.

2.  Delegates authority to Deputy Chief Executive (Place) and the Director of Finance and Corporate Services (Section 151 Officer) or nominated representative, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources and the City Solicitor, 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 local facility.

3.  Approves the addition of £1.95m to the Council’s approved capital programme for the purposes of a capital loan facility to Coombe Abbey Park Ltd, financed from capital receipts.