Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Carolyn Sinclair/Suzanne Bennett  024 7683 3166/3072

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Items
No. Item

109.

Minutes of the meeting held on 19 February, 2019 pdf icon PDF 179 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 February, 2019 were signed as a true record.

110.

Coventry Good Citizen Award

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

Since 1988 Antony has been a Manager of Whitley Juniors Football Club and with 29 years of service, he is the longest continually serving manager in the Coventry & Warwickshire Youth League. Over the years with Whitley Juniors FC Antony has worked with hundreds of children from all walks of life, many of whom have found themselves facing them down the wrong path.  Through the game of football Antony has been able to connect with the children and has helped to guide them with the vast majority of these children going on to be law abiding citizens with great careers and families. It is a testament to his success that many have brought their own children back to the club to play football and to benefit from the positive, safe fun and friendly environment which is provided.

 

Antony has essentially kept the club running for 30 years, during this time he has faced many struggles, from run down facilities to loss of players; these hardships have only encouraged Antony to work harder. He is currently he is in the process of turning a rundown hut on the grounds into something the club can be proud of and a place for the children to go and enjoy. On a daily basis Antony is constantly making arrangements for the club; ordering or picking up kit, arranging for pitches to be marked and all manner of other jobs. Without Antony’s care and devotion the club would struggle and the children would not have a football club in their local area.

 

To Antony it has never been about recognition, but the joy that the football club gives to children; his actions truly reflect his character and he is a worthy recipient of this Good Citizen Award.

 

111.

Correspondence and Announcements of the Lord Mayor

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(a)  Terrorist attack in Christchurch

 

The Lord Mayor referred to the recent terrorist attack that took place in the two mosques in Christchurch New Zealand and the shooting in Holland.

 

Members noted that a joint letter from the Leader of the Council and the Lord Mayor had been sent to the Mayor of Christchurch expressing the city’s condolences.

 

(b)  Death of Professor Lord Bhattacharyya

 

The Lord Mayor referred to the recent death of Professor Lord Bhattacharyya.

 

Lord Bhattacharyya was the founder of Warwick Manufacturing Group, which today is one of the world’s top applied research centres, with a reputation for academic excellence and business results. He had tremendous influence on our City over recent years and that influence will continue to be felt for many years to come, benefitting generations of Coventry people.

 

Lord Bhattacharyya was granted the Honorary Freedom of the City, alongside Ratan Tata, with a special ceremony in September 2015 in recognition of the investment of Tata Steel into Jaguar Land Rover which has enhanced and protected the status of car manufacturing in the region, supported by the Warwick Manufacturing Group. 

 

Members paid tribute to Lord Bhattacharyya both as a friend and as a businessman.

 

Members noted that a joint letter from the Leader of the Council and the Lord Mayor had been sent on behalf of the Council and the City of Coventry conveying deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to the family.

 

(c)  Retiring Councillors

 

The Lord Mayor referred to Councillors Gannon, Kershaw and Skipper who were not standing in the forthcoming Municipal Election. 

 

Members of the City Council paid tribute to the work carried out by the Councillors over the years they had served as Members of the Council and wished them well for the future.

 

112.

Petitions

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

(a)  Request for the Council to improve the footpath that runs adjacent to the Brookstray in Mount Nod, between Fletchamstead Highway and Alderminster Road – 83 signatures, presented by councillor Male.

 

(b)  Request the Council to establish a resident’s parking scheme on The Mount, Cheylesmore as matter of some urgency – 74, presented by Councillor Bailey.

 

(c)  Request for Council to sort out a number of anti-social problems in Welsh Road including abandoned cars causing access problems for elderly residents with visual impairments – 16 signatures, presented by Councillor Auluck.

 

(d)  Objections to the proposed fun fair to be held in Stoke Green Park – 25 signatures, presented by Councillor McNicholas.

 

(e)  Petition to stop the proposed closure of Coundon Road, Coventry – 3543 signatures, presented by Councillor Williams.

 

(f)  Request for a residents parking scheme for Purefoy Road, Cheylesmore – 31 signatures, presented by Councillor Bailey.

 

(g)  Residents concerns about problems of parking and access to Coundon Street, Coventry – 12 signatures, sponsored by Councillor Kelly, presented by Councillor Clifford.

 

(h)  Objection to Planning Application FUL/2019/0524 – 55 Yelverton Road -23 signatures, presented by Councillor Clifford.

 

 

113.

Declarations of Interest

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

114.

Adoption of Housing & Homelessness Strategy 2019-24 pdf icon PDF 116 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute 123/18 of Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place), which set out the Housing and Homelessness Strategy for adoption.

 

The Council is required to have an up to date Strategy to prevent homelessness.  The proposed Housing and Homelessness Strategy for adoption covered the period 2019-2024 and would replace the Council’s previous strategy which operated between 2013 and 2018.

 

The Housing Strategy and Homelessness Strategy had been combined into one document, reflecting the fact that activities to prevent homelessness are dependent on the availability of additional housing, an improvement in the management and quality of existing housing and the advice and support available to people who need it to successfully maintain their home.  This ensures the Council takes a comprehensive and joined up approach to all matters relating to housing and homelessness.

 

The final strategy had been updated following a period of consultation in November and December 2018.  The results of the consultation were set out in Appendix 3 of the report submitted.

 

The Strategy continued to focus on four main themes: Preventing homelessness and supporting homeless households; Support for people and communities; Improving the use of existing homes; and New housing developments.

 

The Cabinet had noted that the Strategy would also be supported by an Action Plan that would remain a live document and be monitored and delivered by the City Council and its relevant partners.  The Strategy and the Action Plan were both appended to the report submitted.

 

The Cabinet had agreed to note the consultation responses received to the draft Housing and Homelessness Strategy and the summary report provided at Appendix 3.

 

RESOLVED that the City Council adopt the new Housing and Homelessness Strategy (Appendix 1) and supporting Action Plan (Appendix 2) with effect from 20th March, 2019.

115.

Annual Pay Policy 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 138 KB

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) which provided information on the Annual Pay Policy Statement 2019/20.

 

Local Authorities are required by sections 38 and 39 of the Localism Act 2011 to produce an annual Pay Policy Statement. The statement must articulate the City Council’s policies towards a range of issues relating to the pay of the workforce, particularly the most senior (or “chief officer”) and the relationship of their pay to the lowest paid employees. The proposed Annual Pay Policy Statement for 2019/20 was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

 

RESOLVED that the City Council approve the Annual Pay Policy Statement 2019/20 as attached at Appendix 1 of the report.

116.

Question Time pdf icon PDF 47 KB

(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

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

Questions asked by

Question put to

Subject matter

1

Councillor Lapsa

Councillor AS Khan

Charging entry fee for Godiva Festival

2

Councillor Lepoidevin

Councillor Ruane

Consultation with regard to housing development in Eastern Green

3

Councillor Williams

Councillor O’Boyle

Proposed development for Coundon Wedge

4

Councillor Williams

Councillor Ruane

Local Plan

5

Councillor Williams

Councillor Harvard

Request for audio recording of Planning Committee

6

Councillor Male

Councillor Ruane

Review of maintenance contracts levied against homeowners on new developments

7

Councillor Crookes

Councillor Duggins

Ward Forums

 

117.

Statements

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(a)  The Leader of the Council, Councillor Duggins, made a Statement in respect of “The Situation re CCFC and the Ricoh Arena”.

 

Councillor Ridley responded to the Statement.

 

(b)  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.

 

 

 

118.

Debate - Bullying pdf icon PDF 36 KB

11.1 To be moved by Councillor K Taylor and seconded by Councillor T Sawdon:

 

“Coventry City Council will not tolerate bullying in any form whatsoever

 and will instigate a full, independent inquiry into institutionalised bullying

 allegations.

 

This Council will also implement a moratorium on the use of Non-

Disclosure Agreements, except where commercial confidentiality applies”.

 

11.2 To be moved by Councillor R Auluck and seconded by Councillor L Bigham:

 

“This Council agrees to support Unite the Unions Period Poverty Charter which calls for us to:-

 

1.  Ensure sanitary products are accessible.

2.  Ensure there is a positive, supportive culture towards periods.

3.  Support Unite’s campaign in ensuring VAT is removed from sanitary products. Sanitary products to women are essential. They are not a luxury item.

4.  Support Unite’s campaign for places of education to provide sanitary products.

5.  Support campaigns so that no women or young girls face period poverty.

 

Having a period is a completely natural process that should not be a source of awkwardness for anyone in today’s society. Women and girls do not choose to have a period; a period is not a luxury. It comes at an expensive monthly cost. With this in mind, Coventry City Council supports the Charter, especially the call for Government to ensure that they remove VAT from all sanitary products at the earliest opportunity.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The following motion was moved by Councillor K Taylor and seconded by Councillor T Sawdon:

 

“Coventry City Council will not tolerate bullying in any for whatsoever and will instigate a full, independent inquiry into institutionalised bullying allegations.

 

This Council will also implement a moratorium on the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements, except where commercial confidentiality applies”.

 

The following amendment was moved by Councillor J Mutton and seconded by Councillor P Seaman and carried:

 

 At the beginning of the Motion insert (1). After the word “whatsoever” delete the rest of the sentence and add the following words:-

 

and will ensure any allegation is dealt with in a full and proper manner”

 

At the beginning of the next paragraph insert (2), then after the “This Council” delete the rest of the sentence and insert the following words:

 

will only endorse the use of Non Disclosure Agreements in cases where it is appropriate to do so”

 

The amended Motion now to read:

 

1.  Coventry City Council will not tolerate bullying in any form whatsoever and will ensure any allegation is dealt with in a full and proper manner.

 

2.  This Council will only endorse the use of Non Disclosure Agreements in cases where it is appropriate to do so”.

 

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

 

119.

Debate: Support Unite the Unions Period Poverty Charter

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The following Motion was moved by Councillor R Auluck and seconded by Councillor L Bigham:

 

“This Council agrees to support Unite the Unions Period Poverty Charter which calls for us to:-

 

1.  Ensure sanitary are accessible.

2.  Ensure there is a positive, supportive culture towards periods.

3.  Support Unite’s campaign in ensuring VAT is removed from sanitary products. Sanitary products to women are essential. They are not a luxury item.

4.  Support Unite’s campaign for places of education to provide sanitary products.

5.  Support campaigns so that no women or young girls face period poverty.

 

Having a period is a completely natural process that should not be a source of awkwardness for anyone in today’s society. Women and girls do not choose to have a period; a period is not a luxury. It comes at an expensive monthly cost. With this in mind, Coventry City Council supports the Charter, especially the call for Government to ensure that they remove VAT from all sanitary products at the earliest opportunity”.

 

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

 

120.

Thanks to the Lord Mayor

Additional documents:

Minutes:

On behalf of the City Council, Councillors G Duggins and G Ridley thanked the Lord Mayor for the manner in which he had Chaired Council meetings during 2018/19.