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Items
No. Item

65.

Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 October 2019 and the Extraordinary Meeting held on 19 November 2019 pdf icon PDF 135 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on 15 October 2019 and the Extraordinary Meeting held on 19 November 2019 were signed as a true record.

66.

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 presented Colin Millard with the Good Citizen Award. His citation read:

 

“Colin has been the Verger of Holy Trinity Church for 25 years, during that time he has demonstrated the highest levels of commitment and dedication to the church and to the residents of Coventry. Colin spends many of his days welcoming people from across the world as the public face of the church, finding ways to talk to people whatever language they speak and to make them feel safe and comfortable whether they have come there to worship, to visit the beautiful church and its stunning architecture, or simply to find somewhere calm and quiet for a few minutes.

 

Colin has care and compassion for those in need whether unwell, homeless, hungry, worried or scared. Colin will be there to serve them as best he can, making sure they get the help they need when they most need it. Colin also works to help keep the city safe by working with local statutory services. He is entirely committed to keeping the church and those in it safe by responding to alarms in the middle of the night, looking out for people who are unwell or of concern and making sure that important and relevant information is shared with those who need it.  Colin also supports the regular and civic services that take place at Holy Trinity, making sure everything runs like clockwork and that the rhythm of the services run smoothly.

 

Colin spends a great deal of time ensuring that the church is in great condition inside and out, making sure it’s open and ready for all to enter. The safety of the Church is of utmost importance to Colin, he is always on watch to make sure that the Church is safe during the day for visitors and worshipers, and safe and secure at night. Nothing is too much trouble for Colin, no-one too awkward or difficult to warrant help. Colin is always there, ready to serve. His actions properly reflect his character and he is a worthy recipient of this Coventry Good Citizen Award”.



67.

Correspondence and Announcements of the Lord Mayor

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(a) Deaths

 

Councillor Sucha Singh Bains

 

The Lord Mayor referred to the death of Councillor Sucha Singh Bains on 25 November 2019.

 

Councillor Bains was a well-respected and popular figure at the Council, having served virtually continuously since he was first elected in 1990.  Apart from a brief two-year absence he represented the people of Upper Stoke for the Labour Party for almost 30 years.

 

He was Lord Mayor of his adopted city from 2003-04, the city’s first ever Asian Lord Mayor. 

 

He was Chair of the Audit and Procurement Committee and his other appointments included a seat on the Finance and Corporate Services Scrutiny Board.

 

Councillor Bains also served as a governor for local schools, including Stoke Primary School and Stoke Heath Primary School. 

 

Sister Sabina

The Lord Mayor referred to the death of Reverend Mother Sabina of Sisters of Charity of St. Paul the Apostle, Selly Park, passed away on December 21, 2019.

Sister Sabina, as she was known to most, spent more than 30 years as the headteacher of Corpus Christi Primary and Infant School in Ernesford Grange and set up a charity for the homeless. In 2009, she was awarded an MBE for her lifelong services to education and the homeless.

Graham Partridge

The Lord Mayor referred to the death of Graham Partridge who passed away on 12 January, 2020. Graham was a founder member of ECHO, the Earlsdon, Chapelfields, Hearsall Opinion, and served as its Chairman for 40 years. He was Chair of the 1978 Earlsdon Village Festival from which ECHO arose. Graham was heavily involved in voluntary and community issues locally and in other parts of the City.

Letters of condolence had been sent to the families.

The Council stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect and paid tribute to the three outstanding individuals who contributed so much to the City.

 

(b) New Year Honours

 

The Lord Mayor referred to awards made to the following citizens associated with Coventry in the recent New Year's Honours List:

 

Queen’s Police Medal – Chief Superintendent Claire Louise Bell of West Midlands Police

 

MBE – Sandra Marie Garlick, a business consultant, for services to Women in Business in the West Midlands

 

BEM – Anthony Thomas Pedley for services to community in Coventry

 

OBE – Louise Marie Proctor, Head of National Careers Service for services to Education and to Careers.

 

The Lord Mayor reported that, on behalf of the City Council, she had sent a letter of congratulations to all recipients.

 

(c) Condolences

 

The Lord Mayor referred to the recent events in Australia and the terrible bushfires which were ongoing.

 

A letter of support had been sent to the Mayor of our twin City of Parkes, New South Wales expressing the City’s sympathy. A response had been received and a further letter would be sent as the situation was still ongoing.

 

 

68.

Petitions

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

(a)  Keep Coventry Police Museum in Coventry, 1531 signatures, presented jointly by Councillors R Bailey and J Lepoidevin

(b)  Residents parking required in Brooklyn Road, 28 signatures, presented by Councillor B Kaur

(c)  Close access way between Perris Gardens and Clinton Road, 44 signatures, presented by Councillor B Kaur

(d)  Request the City Council to install a camera at the top of Rochester Road, 71 signatures, presented by Councillor A Andrews

(e)  The residents of Church Park Close would like to lodge a complaint about the inconsiderate parking of cars when children are being dropped off and collected from school, 28 signatures, presented by Councillor J Birdi

 

 

69.

Declarations of Interest

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillors M Ali, R Ali, J Birdi, K Caan, A S Khan, M Heaven, M Lapsa, P Male and T Sawdon declared disclosable pecuniary interests in matters the subject of Minutes 72 (Additional Licensing in Coventry – Consultation Results) and 73 (Selective Licensing in Coventry – Consultation Results). They left the meeting during the consideration of these items.

 

70.

Youth Justice Plan pdf icon PDF 50 KB

From Cabinet, 29 October 2019

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute 45/19 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) which sought the Council’s endorsement to The Coventry Youth Offending Service Youth Justice Plan 2019-2020. The Plan was attached as an Appendix to the report, following its agreement and signing off by Statutory Partners.

 

The Crime and Disorder Act legislation imposed a duty to complete and submit a Youth Justice Plan each year. The Plan provided an overview of Coventry Youth Offending Service 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, had agreed and signed off on the Plan in July 2019.

 

RESOLVED that the City Council endorses the Youth Justice Plan 2019-2020.  

71.

Medium Term Financial Strategy pdf icon PDF 69 KB

From the Cabinet, 19 November 2019

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute 53/19 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which presented the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for adoption by the Council.

 

The MTFS 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.

 

Based on the 2019/20 approved budget, the initial financial gap for the following 4 years as at the start of the new Budget setting round was £16.7m for 2020/21, rising to £34.4m by 2023/24.

 

The position from 2020/21 onwards was based on early estimates and could be subject to major change depending on the outcome of the forthcoming changes in the local government finance regime which would not emerge until 2020.

 

The scale of the financial gap was not unusually large in a historical context or compared with authorities similar to Coventry. It would nevertheless require the Council to consider further reductions in services and the need to prioritise the services that it wished to maintain in the future and identify those that may be allocated fewer resources or ceased altogether.

 

RESOLVED that the City Council approves the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-23 as the basis of its medium term financial planning process.

72.

Additional Licensing in Coventry - Consultation Results pdf icon PDF 167 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute 67/19 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which set out the results of 10 week consultation undertaken from 9 January 2019 to 20 March 2019 on Additional Licensing in Coventry.

 

The report indicated that the Housing Act 2004, Part 2, provided a discretionary power, subject to carrying out consultation, for Local Housing Authorities to licence all private landlords in a designated area with the intention of ensuring that Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) meet a minimum standard of management.

 

The consultation was undertaken in the form of online questionnaires, ward drop in sessions, focus groups and Member meetings.  There were a mix of responses but with the highest number being from landlords and residents.  The responses highlighted a number of issues that both residents of HMOs experience and residents living alongside HMOs.  There was a strong support for the introduction of an Additional Licensing scheme, the fee structure was considered reasonable and proportionate by the majority, likewise there was support to manage the licence period depending upon the compliancy of the particular landlord.  There were some concerns around the legality of the fee structure and how the length of licence would be determined in practice.  These have been considered and addressed with some recommended amendments.  The full consultation results were set out at Appendix 2 of the report.  The report also provided a summary and analysis of the consultation results and further recommendations.

 

It was proposed that a city wide Additional Licensing scheme be extended to all HMOs in the city (in all 18 wards) and would include all smaller multiple occupied properties not currently subjected to mandatory HMO licensing.  This would serve to address all HMOs whatever the size and ensure a level playing field for the quality and management of them.

 

The following amendment was moved by Councillor G Ridley, seconded by Councillor A Andrews and lost:

 

That the following additional recommendation be inserted at the end of the recommendations detailed in the report: -

 

  “vii Revisit the introduction of an Article 4 Direction”

 

 

RESOLVED that the City Council approves the following:

 

1.  To designate the whole of Coventry City as subject to Additional Licensing under Section 56(1)(a) of the Housing Act 2004 for all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), irrespective of the number of storeys, that contain three or four occupiers.

 

2.  To designate the whole of Coventry City as subject to Additional Licensing under Section 56(1)(a) of the Housing Act 2004 for all HMOs as defined under Section 257 of that Act where those HMOs are mainly or wholly tenanted, including those with resident landlords.

 

3.  That the designations in paragraphs 1 and 2 above come into force on the 4th May 2020 for a period of 5 years.

 

4.  To designate the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) to sign the Coventry City Council Designation of an Area for Additional Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation 2020 as attached at Appendix 7 in accordance with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

73.

Selective Licensing in Coventry - Consultation Results pdf icon PDF 146 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute 68/19 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which set out the results of a 10 week consultation on undertaken from 9 January 2019 to 20 March 2019 on Selective Licensing in Coventry.

 

The report indicated that the Housing Act 2004, Part 3, provided a discretionary power, subject to carrying out consultation and approval of the appropriate national authority, for Local Housing Authorities to licence all private landlords in a designated area with the intention of ensuring that a minimum standard of management is met.

 

The consultation was undertaken in the form of on-line questionnaires, ward drop in sessions, focus groups and Member meetings.  There were a mix of responses with the highest number being from landlords and residents.  Notably, there was an even balance between those in support and those against introducing selective licensing.  However, detailed investigation revealed the strength of the views conveyed more were in strong disagreement than those strongly supporting.  Furthermore, a much higher proportion of respondents disagreed that the fee structure was reasonable and proportionate.  Notwithstanding, the response to the principle of the scheme was generally support for mechanisms within the proposed scheme which included fee reduction criteria, higher fees for non-compliant landlords, longer licences for compliant landlords and conditions around property condition and management.  Generally there was a concern around how areas had been selected, the use of date from the 2011 Census, and, in particular Ward Councillors raised concern with some areas not being included where they considered there to be problems which brought the issue of out of date data into question further.  The consultation results were set out in full in Appendix 2 of the report.

 

It was proposed that officers keep Selective Licensing under review, alongside the implementation of the Additional Licensing scheme, until such time as the conclusions of the Independent Review of Selective Licensing are published by Government.  Once the results are published, officers should be in a better position to apply a more accurate, up to date statistical assessment, using appropriate evidence that should also become available.  As such, the non HMO private rented housing would continue to be managed using existing powers set out within the report.  The Cabinet noted that if the Additional Licensing scheme is progressed as recommended, the team will increase and existing staff will be able to concentrate solely on the management of the non-HMO private rented housing using the relevant powers that already exist.

 

RESOLVED that the City Council approves the following:

 

1.  That the proposed Selective Licensing scheme not be progressed at this time.

 

2.  That officers be instructed to review the conclusions of the Independent Review of Selective Licensing once these are published by Government and conduct an accurate, up to date statistical assessment, once appropriate evidence becomes available and report the findings to Cabinet at a future meeting.

 

(Note: Further to Minute 69 above, Councillors M Ali. R Ali, J Birdi, K Caan, AS Khan, M Heaven,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

74.

UKBIC Additional Grant Funding Award from Innovate UK pdf icon PDF 96 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute 71/19 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which detailed an additional grant funding award from Innovate UK to the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC).

 

The UKBIC is a cutting-edge research facility which would bridge the gap between battery research in universities and large-scale manufacturing.  The project has been funded through Innovate UK alongside an £18m loan from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

 

Following further industry engagement and technological developments, Innovate UK had offered a further £3.1m in order to fund and cover the increased costs and future proof against technology changes.

 

The report indicated that, between now and the end of the project, there would be further adjustments needed and more funding would be forthcoming which would ensure that the battery facility is able to adapt to technological changes.  Authority was therefore sought to accept up to a total of £15m of additional funding from Innovate UK if additional cash beyond the £3.1m currently offered became available.

 

The UKBIC programme was part-way through development and progressing well.  The programme was due for completion in March 2020, when the UKBIC facility would open for business.  The shell core of the building had been completed and handed over and a team of 50 had been recruited to date to work for the new company UKBIC Ltd.

 

RESOLVED that the City Council:

 

1.  Authorises the Council to act as Accountable Body and accept £3.1m from Innovate UK and also to make the necessary adjustment to the Capital Programme.

 

2.  Should further grant funding be made available by Innovate UK, authorises the Council to act as Accountable Body and accept up to a total sum of £15m and make the necessary adjustment as required to the Capital Programme.

 

3.  Delegates authority to the Director of Business Investment and Culture, the Finance Manager (Corporate Resources) and the City Solicitor and Monitoring Officer, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources, to undertake the necessary due diligence, negotiate the terms and conditions of the funding agreement with Innovate UK and enter into the necessary agreement to bring into legal effect the recommendations set out in 1 and 2 above.

 

 

75.

Exercise of Emergency Functions - Appointment of Agricultural and Public Analysts pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Report of the Chief Executive  

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The City Council considered a report of the Chief Executive which informed Council of decisions undertaken by the Chief Executive, in accordance with the Constitution and in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Councillor G Duggins, to exercise emergency functions in respect of the appointment of Agricultural Analysts (Fertilisers and Animal Feeding Stuffs) and Public Analysts (Food). The report also sought to delegate authority to make any future appointments to the Director of Street Scene and Regulatory Services.

 

RESOLVED that the City Council:

 

1.  Notes the exercise of emergency functions to appoint Kent Scientific Services, Hampshire Scientific Service, Public Analyst Scientific Services and Lancashire County Scientific as Agricultural and Public Analysts, and in particular the appointment of those individuals listed in Paragraph 2.1 of the report.

 

2.  Delegates authority for any future appointments of Agricultural Analysts (Fertilisers and Animal Feeding Stuffs) and Public Analysts (Food) to the Director of Street Scene and Regulatory Services.

 

3.  Authorises the City Solicitor and Monitoring Officer to amend the Constitution accordingly.

76.

Exercise of Emergency Functions for Homes England Funding pdf icon PDF 78 KB

Report of the Chief Executive

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The City Council received a report of the Chief Executive which informed Council of decisions undertaken by the Chief Executive, in accordance with paragraph 6.1 pf part 3C of the Constitution in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Councillor G Duggins and the Chair of Scrutiny Coordination Committee, Councillor R Brown, to exercise emergency functions in respect of:

 

·  Acceptance of the Additional Grant Funding Amount from Homes England for infrastructure works at Eastern Green in the sum of £2.9 million; and

·  To add the Additional Grant Funding Amount to the Council’s Capital Programme.

 

Following the exercise of the decision by the Chief Executive, the Council will accept the additional grant offer and continue to work with the developers and Homes England to deliver a successful scheme which would unlock housing for the benefit of the City.

 

 

77.

Polling District and Polling Place Review 2019 pdf icon PDF 82 KB

Report of the Chief Executive

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The City Council considered a report of the Chief Executive which detailed proposed amendments to the polling district and polling place scheme which was previously approved by Council in January 2017. The Electoral Arrangements Advisory Panel and Ward Members had been consulted and a consultation exercise carried out as required by legislation.

 

Since January 2017, there has been significant development in some areas of

the City, leading to an imbalance across some polling districts. In addition, the

unscheduled Parliamentary General Election in June 2017, local elections in

2018 and 2019 and EU Parliamentary Elections in 2019 have exposed the need

for some boundaries and venues to be reviewed.

 

In addition, the provision of portacabins as polling stations had also been

Reviewed and alternatives sought where possible. The Returning Officer has

a duty to ensure easy access to polling stations for all voters, whilst ensuring

polling stations were available in a suitable location.

 

Appendices to the report detailed the proposed amendments, together with the

Acting Returning Officer’s recommendations regarding polling stations.

 

 

RESOLVED that the City Council:

 

1.  Having considered the report approves the revised polling district and polling place scheme, as detailed in the report.

 

2.  Delegates authority to the Chief Executive to make minor amendments to the Polling District and Polling Place Scheme as necessary, following consultation with the Leader, Deputy Leader and appropriate Ward Members.

78.

Recommendations of Ethics Committee Following Code of Conduct Hearing pdf icon PDF 138 KB

Report of the Chair of the Ethics Committee

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The City Council considered a report of the Chair of Ethics Committee, Councillor S Walsh which outlined the recommendations of the Ethics Committee following a Code of Conduct Hearing.

 

  On 20 November 2019 the Ethics Committee held a hearing in to a complaint that Councillor Glenn Williams (the “Subject Member”) had breached the Code of Conduct for Elected and Co-opted Members. It related to an exchange on Twitter between the Subject Member and a member of the public which took place on 31 January 2019. 

 

The Committee decided that the Subject Member had breached three provisions of the Code of Conduct.  A copy of the Decision Notice issued on behalf of the Committee was attached at Appendix 1 of the report. The Committee decided to report its findings to full Council with a recommendation that it censures Councillor Williams.

 

RESOLVED that the City Council:

 

1.  Notes the findings of the Ethics Committee.

 

2.  Agrees to censure Councillor G Williams in respect of the breaches of the Code of Conduct;

 

3.  Requests the Leader of the Council to send a letter of censure to Councillor G Williams.

79.

Appointments of the City Council pdf icon PDF 56 KB

Report of the Chief Executive

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The City Council considered a report of the Chief Executive which sought approval to make a change to an appointment to the Planning Committee.

 

Following consultation with the Leader of the Council, it was proposed that Councillor G Lloyd be appointed to the Planning Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2019/2020, in place of Councillor J McNicholas.

 

The following amendment was moved by Councillor T Sawdon, seconded by Councillor R Bailey and lost:

 

In the recommendation at the end of the sentence insert the following: -

 

  “ and that the details of the consultation with the Leader of the Council concerning the options considered be disclosed”.

 

RESOLVED that the City Council approves the appointment of Councillor G Lloyd to the Planning Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2019/2020, in place of Councillor J McNicholas.

80.

Question Time pdf icon PDF 56 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:

Councillors J Mutton, P Hetherton and K Maton provided written answers to the questions 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:

 

No

Questions asked by

Question put to

Subject matter

1

Councillor T Sawdon

Councillor L Harvard

Planning Committee

2

Councillor G Williams

Councillor O’Boyle

Friargate developments

3

Councillor G Ridley

Councillor G Duggins

Planning Committee

4

Councillor M Lapsa

Councillor P Hetherton

HGV driver policy on reversing

5

Councillor C Thomas

Councillor C Caan

European City of Sports events

6

Councillor J Blundell

Councillor K Maton

Ofsted Inspections

7

Councillor G Ridley

Councillor P Hetherton

Plans to ban private cars from city centre to reduce air pollution

 

81.

Statements

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

Councillor G Ridley responded to the statement, in Councillor J Lepoidevin’s absence.

82.

Debate: Funding for the NHS

20.1 To be moved by Councillor M Lapsa and seconded by Councillor J Blundell:

 

“This Council welcomes the Government’s pledge to raise spending on the NHS by an additional £33.9billion by 2023-24 and to bring forward legislation to make it a legally binding commitment.”

 

20.1 To be moved by Councillor K Sandhu and seconded by Councillor C Thomas:

 

“This Council believes that:

 

People seeking asylum want to be able to work so that they can use their skills, contribute to the economy and our society by making the most of their potential, integrate into their communities, and provide for themselves and their families;

Restrictions on right to work can lead to extremely poor mental health outcomes, and a waste of potentially invaluable talents and skills both for the economy of Coventry and the UK;

 

Allowing people seeking asylum the right to work would therefore lead to positive outcomes for those seeking asylum in Coventry and for the local and national economy;

 

The Council resolves to:

 

Join the Lift the Ban Coalition, which is campaigning to restore the right to work for everyone waiting for more than 6 months for a decision on their asylum claim;

 

Call on the UK Government to make changes to national policy and legislation to restore the right of asylum seekers to work;

 

And use its role in the city and work with partners to promote education, training, volunteering and pathways into paid employment for asylum seekers and refugees so they can contribute to Coventry’s economy and feel part of our communities”.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Debates: The following Motion was moved by Councillor M Lapsa and seconded by Councillor J Blundell:

 

“This Council welcomes the Government’s pledge to raise spending on the NHS by an additional £33.9billion by 2023-24 and to bring forward legislation to make it a legally binding commitment”.

 

The following amendment was moved by Councillor K Caan and seconded by Councillor M Mutton and, in accordance with the Constitution, accepted by Councillor M Lapsa:

 

The following words to be inserted at the end of the paragraph:

 

“This represents an increased spending commitment of 3.4% per year: the Institute of Fiscal Studies say that the NHS needs a 3.3% increase just to maintain current levels and notes after 8 years of Conservative Government, NHS budget increases averaged just 1.6% allied to huge cuts to social care. Council further notes the 5.6% increases per year between 1997 and 2010”.

 

The amended Motion now to read:

 

“This Council welcomes the Government’s pledge to raise spending on the NHS by an additional £33.0million by 2023-24 and to bring forward legislation to make it legally binding commitment.

 

This represents an increased spending commitment of 3.4% per year: the Institute for Fiscal Studies say that the NHS needs a 3.3% increase just to maintain current levels and notes after 8 years of Conservative Government, NHS budget increases averaged just 1.6% allied to huge cuts to social care. Council further notes the 5.6% increases per year between 1997 and 2010”.

 

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

 

83.

Debate: Join the Lift the Ban Coalition

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The following Motion was moved by Councillor K Sandhu and seconded by Councillor C Thomas:

 

“This Council believes that:

 

People seeking asylum want to be able to work so that they can use their skills, contribute to the economy and our society by making the most of their potential, integrate into their communities, and provide for themselves and their families;

 

Restrictions on right to work can lead to extremely poor mental health outcomes, and a waste of potentially invaluable talents and skills both for the economy of Coventry and the UK;

 

Allowing people seeking asylum the right to work would therefore lead to positive outcomes for those seeking asylum in Coventry and for the local and national economy;

 

The Council resolves to:

 

Join the Lift the Ban Coalition, which is campaigning to restore the right to work for everyone waiting for more than 6 months for a decision on their asylum claim;

 

Call on the UK Government to make changes to national policy and legislation to restore the right of asylum seekers to work;

 

And use its role in the city and work with partners to promote education, training, volunteering and pathways into paid employment for asylum seekers and refugees so they can contribute to Coventry’s economy and feel part of our communities”.

 

The following amendment was moved by Councillor A Andrews and seconded by Councillor M Lapsa and, in accordance with the Constitution, accepted by Councillor K Sandhu:

 

After “The Council resolves to”, delete the second sentence of the following paragraph, which reads “Call on the UK Government to make changes to national policy and legislation to restore the right of asylum seekers to work” and insert the following sentence: -

 

“Welcomes the Government’s ongoing review into its policy on restricting asylum seekers’ rights to work”.


The amended debate now to read: -

 

This Council believes that:

 

People seeking asylum want to be able to work so that they can use their skills, contribute to the economy and our society by making the most of their potential, integrate into their communities, and provide for themselves and their families;

Restrictions on right to work can lead to extremely poor mental health outcomes, and a waste of potentially invaluable talents and skills both for the economy of Coventry and the UK;

 

Allowing people seeking asylum the right to work would therefore lead to positive outcomes for those seeking asylum in Coventry and for the local and national economy;

 

The Council resolves to:

 

Join the Lift the Ban Coalition, which is campaigning to restore the right to work for everyone waiting for more than 6 months for a decision on their asylum claim; Welcomes the Government’s ongoing review into its policy on restricting asylum seekers’ rights to work.

 

And use its role in the city and work with partners to promote education, training, volunteering and pathways into paid employment for asylum seekers and refugees so they can contribute to Coventry’s economy and feel part of our communities.”

 

RESOLVED that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.