Agenda and minutes

Russell Plester, Headteacher at Finham Park 2

The Lord Mayor referred to the recent sad death of Russell Plester, Headteacher at Finham Park 2.  Mr Plester had been Headteacher at Finham Park 2 since its opening in 2015 and was a hugely popular and well-respected colleague.

Thoughts and best wishes were offered to his family and Members noted that a letter of condolence had been sent to them on behalf of the City Council.

It was moved by Councillor G Ridley, seconded by Councillor T Jandu and supported by Councillor G Duggins, that Councillor Jaswant Singh Birdi be elected as Chair of the Council (being the Lord Mayor of the City) for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED that Councillor Jaswant Singh Birdi be elected as Chair of the Council for the 2023/24 municipal year, having made the declaration of office prescribed by the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and having been invested with the Lord Mayor’s Chain of Office.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Birdi, addressed the City Council.

A vote of thanks for the retiring Lord Mayor, Councillor Kevin Maton, was moved by Councillor P Seaman, seconded by Councillor B Gittins and supported by Councillor G Ridley.

Councillor Maton responded to the vote of thanks.

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the warmest thanks of the Council are due and are thereby given to Councillor Kevin Maton for the zeal and impartiality with which he has discharged the arduous duties of the office of Lord Mayor during the year 2022/23; and

(2)  That a copy of this resolution, under the Common Seal, be presented to Councillor Kevin Maton and Mrs Angela Maton.

It was moved by Councillor P Hetherton, seconded by Councillor M Ali and supported by Councillor G Ridley that Councillor Mal Mutton be elected as Vice Chair of the Council (being the Deputy Lord Mayor of the City) for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED that Councillor Mal Mutton be elected as Vice Chair of the Council for the 2023/24 Municipal Year, having made the declaration of office prescribed by the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and having been invested with the Deputy Lord Mayor’s Badge.

The City Council received a report of the Leader, Councillor G Duggins, together with a Statement, which confirmed the composition of the Cabinet, the appointment of Deputy Cabinet Members and the allocation of executive portfolios/functions within the Cabinet (detailed below):

CABINET PORTFOLIOS 2023/24

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 March 2023

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 21 March 2023 were agreed and signed as a true record.

The return of Councillors elected for the following Wards of the City on 4 May 2023 was reported:

There were no declarations of interest.

The Council considered the following documents which were tabled at the meeting:

(i)  Details of Licensing and Regulatory Committee, Planning Committee, Health and Wellbeing Board, Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee, Scrutiny Boards, Audit and Procurement Committee, Ethics Committee, Coventry Shareholder Committee, Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee and such other Committees as the Council considers appropriate, to deal with matters which are neither reserved to the Council nor are executive functions as set out in the Constitution.  This also includes the appointment of the Chair and Deputy Chair of those bodies

(ii)  The size and terms of reference for those Boards and Committee (as set out in the Constitution).

(iii)  The allocation of seats to political groups in accordance with the political balance rules.

(iv)  The nominations of Councillors to serve on each Scrutiny Board, Committee and Cabinet Advisory Panel.

(v)  The nominations and appointments to outside bodies.

(vi)  The programme of ordinary meetings of the Council, Cabinet, Scrutiny Boards, Committee and Advisory Panels for 2023/24 including the date and time of the next Annual Meeting and the scheme of delegations as set out in the Constitution.

RESOLVED that the City Council approve the allocation of seats, appointments and programme of meetings together with the appointments to outside bodies (as appended to these minutes) and agree the scheme of delegations as set out in the Constitution.

There were no other matters arising.