Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

a)  To agree the minutes from the meeting held on 11^th July, 2013 (attached)

b)  Matters Arising

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Member (Policy and Leadership) held on 11^th July, 2013 were signed as a true record.

To consider a petition bearing 18 signatures, accompanied by a print out of an ePetition from ‘change.org’ bearing 531 signatures.  The Petition Organiser has been invited to attend the meeting.

Report of Executive Director of Resources (attached)

The Cabinet Member (Policy and Leadership) considered a report of the Executive Director of Resources, concerning a petition bearing 18 signatures, accompanied by a print out of an ePetition from ‘change.org’ with 531 signatures also in support of the petition.  The petition, which was attached to the report, had been submitted by Mr Cosgrove, who attended the meeting and spoke in support of the petition on behalf of petitioners.  The Cabinet Member also allowed another petitioner, Mr Stevens, to speak on behalf of petitioners.  The petition requested both the City Council and Arena Coventry Limited to undertake some specific actions with a view to facilitating the return of Coventry City Football Club to play its home football matches at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

The report acknowledged that some of the actions requested by the petition, were directed at Arena Coventry Limited (ACL), which is an independent company limited by guarantee and as the City Council is not the sole shareholder it was not appropriate to comment on actions or legal and commercial issues pertaining to it.

The report detailed that the City Council had consistently maintained that it wanted to see Coventry City Football Club play at the Ricoh Arena and would support efforts to attempt to achieve this.  The report also noted discussions had been held in private with the owners of the club, who together with the Football League, determine where the club will play.  The report recognised the importance of having a successful football league club playing in the City.

The Cabinet Member indicated that as the Judicial Review was currently taking place, there were certain areas that could not be discussed at this meeting. 

The Councillors, officers and petitioners present discussed

·  the impact on the local economy

·  the Council focus on growth and regeneration in the City

·  rental and valuation options

The Cabinet Member stated that she must ensure assets were used to the best advantage of all citizens of Coventry. 

RESOLVED that after due consideration of the report and the matters raised at the meeting, the Cabinet Member considered the petition and the report supporting the general aim of bringing the club back to Coventry and it be ensured that the City Council does all it can to achieve the best outcome for the city, Coventry taxpayers and their asset.

Report of the Chief Executive (attached)

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Chief Executive, which outlined options for producing Coventry Citivision magazine in the future including how often it would be distributed and how it was funded.

The report provided options for future print savings and results of the consultation with partner organisations and an online survey.  The recommended option was to approve the continued production of four issues per year of Citivision magazine with an overall reduction in the budget of £12, 000 a year to be offset by an increase in contributions from partner organisations (ie the Police, Universities, University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, Whitefriars Housing).

Members discussed financial issues, consultation feedback, and advertising.

RESOLVED that after due consideration of the report and the matters raised at the meeting, the Cabinet Member approved the continued production of four issues per year of Citivision magazine with an overall reduction in the budget of £12,000 a year to be offset by an increase in contributions from partner organisations (ie the Police, Universities, University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, Whitefriars Housing).

There are no outstanding issues to report.

The Cabinet Member noted that there were no Outstanding Issues to report.

Any other items of public business which the Cabinet Member decides to take as matters of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

There were no other items of public business.