Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2025 were agreed and signed as a true record.

Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carol Service

The Lord Mayor reminded Members of the upcoming Christmas Carol Service which would be taking place on Monday 8th December at 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church.

The event was an opportunity to bring together the community in song, reflection, and celebration and would feature traditional carols, readings, and music performed in the stunning surroundings of one of Coventry’s most historic churches.

RESOLVED that the following petitions be referred to the appropriate Cabinet Member/City Council body/external organisation:

1.  Request for a one-way system at Brookvale Avenue roundabout – 35 signatures, presented by Councillor CE Thomas.

2.  Support the Coventry Market Traders – 549 signatures, presented by Councillor J Blundell.

3.  Reject any plans for the installation of a 20m phone mast in the Earlsdon Conservation Area – 164 signatures, presented by Councillor A Tucker.

4.  Request the installation of a traffic light pedestrian crossing on Keresley Road at Old Shepherd pub and bus stop – 146 signatures, presented by Councillor B Christopher.

5.  Issues with inappropriately parked vehicles on Adam Road – 7 signatures, presented by Council AS Khan.

There were no declarations of interest.

From the Meeting of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities held on 24 November 2025

Further to Minute 48 of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities meeting, the City Council considered a report of the Director of Law and Governance, which set out the outcome of the eight-week consultation undertaken on the review of the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy for the Licensing Act 2003 and sought approval of a revised policy for the period 2026-2031.

The report had also been considered by the Licensing and Regulatory Committee at its meeting held on 18^th November 2025 and they had supported the proposed revised policy.

The Licensing Act 2003 required each Licensing Authority to prepare and publish a Statement of Licensing Policy.  The Policy set out how the Licensing Authority intended to approach its licensing responsibilities and promote the four licensing objectives of:

•  Preventing of Crime & Disorder

•  Promotion of Public Safety

•  Prevention of Public Nuisance

•  Protection of Children from Harm

The Policy was required to be renewed every five years and was subject to a full consultation process.

The current Statement of Licensing Policy came into effect on 16^th March 2021, to cover the period up to 16^th March 2026.

At the meetings of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities on 28^th July  and the Licensing and Regulatory Committee on 5^th August 2025, a report was considered on the draft revised Statement of Licensing Policy and the Director of Law and Governance was authorised to consult on its contents.

Public consultation took place between 12^th August and 7^th October 2025, which included mail shots to representatives of the licensed trade, clubs and key partners; formally writing to the Chief Officers of the responsible authorities; mail shots to businesses and organisations; and wider public consultation through the City Council website. 

There were no major changes to the policy except for some minor wording amendments following the consultation, which were highlighted in the draft revised policy at Appendix 1 of the report.

The revised draft Statement of Licensing Policy was also attached as an appendix to the report.  It was recommended that the revised draft Statement of Licensing Policy be recommended for adoption, to take effect from 16^th March 2026.

The Cabinet Member, at his meeting on 24 November 2025, had noted the results of the consultation and the comments of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee.

RESOLVED that the City Council adopt the revised Statement of Licensing Policy attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

Report of the Director of Law and Governance

The City Council considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities which sought approval of the revised polling districts and polling place scheme for Coventry, in accordance with Section 18C of the Representation of the People Act 1983.

Appended to the report were:

·  Proposed revisions to the polling district and polling place scheme.

·  Maps for each ward detailing the suggested polling district with the future proposed polling district names.

·  The Acting Returning Officer’s recommendations regarding polling stations.

The Review was required following the conclusion of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s (LGBCE) review of electoral arrangements, which introduced new ward boundaries effective from the May 2026 elections.

The Council was legally required to ensure that polling districts and polling places aligned with the revised ward boundaries and continued to provide accessible and convenient voting facilities for all electors. The Review also addressed concerns from previous elections, including:

·  Accessibility issues at existing polling stations, particularly portacabins, which often failed to meet minimum standards for wheelchair users despite investment in ramps and temporary infrastructure.

·  Challenges associated with using schools as polling places, including restricted access and increased travel distances for electors.

·  Rising venue hire costs and limited availability of suitable alternatives in some areas.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

(a)  Approves the revised polling district and polling place scheme, as detailed in the Appendices to the report.

(b)  Approves that, if any further polling places become unavailable prior to an election, authority be delegated to the Director of Law & Governance, following consultation with the Leader, Deputy Leader and appropriate Ward Councillors, to make amendments to the scheme as required.

Councillors N Akhtar, K Caan, AS Khan, Hetherton and O’Boyle provided written answers to the questions set out in the Questions Booklet, together with oral responses to supplementary questions 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:

There were no statements.

“This Council welcomes the Labour Government’s announcement of an £84 million investment to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping this winter, a clear sign of renewed national leadership and a commitment to rebuilding vital public services after years of cuts and underfunding.  

This funding will help local authorities strengthen their resources, improve prevention services, and provide better support to rough sleepers and those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.  

Council further recognises that this investment represents an important step toward reversing the damage caused by the previous Government’s policies, which contributed to rising homelessness and rough sleeping across the country.”

The following Motion was moved by Councillor N Akhtar and seconded by Councillor S Agboola:

“This Council welcomes the Labour Government’s announcement of an £84 million investment to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping this winter, a clear sign of renewed national leadership and a commitment to rebuilding vital public services after years of cuts and underfunding.  

This funding will help local authorities strengthen their resources, improve prevention services, and provide better support to rough sleepers and those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.  

Council further recognises that this investment represents an important step toward reversing the damage caused by the previous Government’s policies, which contributed to rising homelessness and rough sleeping across the country.”

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

“"This Council calls upon the Secretary of State for Transport to implement a policy change to allow local authorities and/or their designated Road Safety Partnerships to retain 100% of all net revenue from speeding enforcement fines. This retention must be provided on the condition that this funding is ring-fenced exclusively for local road safety initiatives."

The following Motion was moved by Councillor J Lepoidevin and seconded by Councillor M Heaven:

"This Council calls upon the Secretary of State for Transport to implement a policy change to allow local authorities and/or their designated Road Safety Partnerships to retain 100% of all net revenue from speeding enforcement fines. This retention must be provided on the condition that this funding is ring-fenced exclusively for local road safety initiatives."

RESOLVED that the Motion as set out above be not adopted.

“This Council commits to investigate the potential to convert suitable unused or underutilised council owned land into community gardens or shared green spaces, to promote physical and mental wellbeing and for local food production.”

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

“This Council commits to investigate the potential to convert suitable unused or underutilised council owned land into community gardens or shared green spaces, to promote physical and mental wellbeing and for local food production”

The following amendment was moved by Councillor J O’Boyle, seconded by Councillor A Jobbar and, in accordance with paragraph 15.1.7 of the Constitution accepted by Councillor Lapsa, thus becoming the substantive Motion:

“At the end of the Motion, insert the following words: “subject to a full Cabinet report.”

The amended Motion now to read:

“This Council commits to investigate the potential to convert suitable unused or underutilised council owned land into community gardens or shared green spaces, to promote physical and mental wellbeing and for local food production subject to a full Cabinet report.”

RESOLVED that the above amended Motion be unanimously adopted.

“Council notes:

*   That pesticides is a term that includes herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and nematicides

*   That pesticide use creates health risks for the workers using them and for people who use an area that has been recently sprayed

*   That pesticides reduce biodiversity, often killing plants and animals that were not the target

*   That there are several effective alternatives to chemical pesticides

*   That around half of UK councils have taken steps to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, with several councils banning their use completely

Therefore council resolves:

*   To minimise the use of pesticides on council owned and managed land with immediate effect

*   To work towards replacing pesticides with other, less risky, methods of pest control

*   To lobby the Coventry MPs to support Sian Berry's Private Members Bill "Plant Protection products (Prohibition on Public Sector Use)", which is scheduled to have its second reading on 12th December.”

The following Motion was moved by Councillor S Gray and seconded by Councillor E Reeves:

“Council notes:

·  That pesticides is a term that includes herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and nematicides

·  That pesticide use creates health risks for the workers using them and for people who use an area that has been recently sprayed

·  That pesticides reduce biodiversity, often killing plants and animals that were not the target

·  That there are several effective alternatives to chemical pesticides

·  That around half of UK councils have taken steps to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, with several councils banning their use completely

Therefore council resolves:

·  To minimise the use of pesticides on council owned and managed land with immediate effect

·  To work towards replacing pesticides with other, less risky, methods of pest control

·  To lobby the Coventry MPs to support Sian Berry's Private Members Bill "Plant Protection products (Prohibition on Public Sector Use)", which is scheduled to have its second reading on 12th December.”

The following amendment was moved by Councillor P Hetherton, seconded by Councillor S Nazir and, in accordance with paragraph 15.1.7 of the Constitution, accepted by Councillor Gray thus becoming the substantive motion:

“Delete the whole of the eighth bullet point which starts with “To lobby  Coventry MPs…” and replace with the following bullet point:

·  “To continue to review the use of pesticides with all relevant bodies”

The amended Motion now to read:

“Council notes:

·  That pesticides is a term that includes herbicides, insecticides,  fungicides, and nematicides

·  That pesticide use creates health risks for the workers using them and for people who use an area that has been recently sprayed

·  That pesticides reduce biodiversity, often killing plants and animals that were not the target

·  That there are several effective alternatives to chemical pesticides

·  That around half of UK councils have taken steps to reduce the use of chemical pesticides, with several councils banning their use completely

Therefore Council resolves:

·  To minimise the use of pesticides on council owned and managed land with immediate effect

·  To work towards replacing pesticides with other, less risky, methods of pest control

·  To continue to review the use of pesticides with all relevant bodies

RESOLVED that the above amended Motion be unanimously adopted.