Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider whether to exclude the press and public for the item(s) of private business for the reasons shown in the report(s).

RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 in relation to the private reports referred to in Minute 52 and 53 headed “Magistrates’ Court Building” and “The Coventry Award of Merit” on the grounds that the reports involve the like disclosure of exempt information and that it refers to information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained; and information which would reveal the identity of individuals to be considered for the Awards. The public interest in maintaining the exemption under Schedule 12A outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. 

(a)  To agree the minutes of the Cabinet Member (Policing and Equalities) meeting held on 2^nd October, 2014.

(b)  Matters arising

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 October 2014 were signed as a true record. There were no matters arising.

Report of the Executive Director, People

The Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities considered a report of the

Executive Director of People which provided an update on additional action

taken to date.

A petition bearing 7 signatures was submitted by Councillor D Galliers on 4

June 2014 requesting that action be taken by agencies to address anti-social

behaviour, particularly nuisance form off-road motorbikes in Thompson’s

Road, Keresley, Coventry. 

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities:

1.  Endorses the additional action taken by Officers and notes the reduction in incidents of nuisance behaviour.

2.  Requests that officers continue to work with local agencies and residents in order to identify perpetrators and to monitor levels of incidents and take action to prevent further offending behaviour.

Report of the Executive Director, Resources

The Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities considered a report of the Executive Director of Resources which provided an update as to the progress of the proceedings to date and considers the options going forward.

When the Council constructed the Coventry Magistrates' Court building in the 1980s, the premises included a "Probation Suite" whose construction cost of around £1.2 million was to be met by the Council initially but repaid by the Probation Service over a period of some 40 years. Annual repayments were made until 2007. However, the Probation Service now disputes liability to make any further payments.

This matter was considered by Cabinet on 11 December 2012, where authorisation was given to commence legal proceedings to recover the outstanding loan monies. The Cabinet Member (Community Safety & Equalities) was given delegated authority to determine alternative strategies or decisions as the matter progresses and the matter was considered at Cabinet Member meetings on 24 February 2014 and 1 May 2014.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities:

1.  Notes the progress made since the last report dated 1 May 2014 and directs that a further report be submitted for consideration at the Cabinet Member meeting on 18 December 2014.

2.  Authorises the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Services (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities) to continue with the settlement negotiations following the mediation on 25 September 2014.

3.  In the event that the settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Services is authorised (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities) to pursue the court proceedings as appropriate and in the Council’s best interests.

Report of the Executive Director, Resources

The Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities considered a report of the Executive Director of Resources which provided advice from the meeting of the Cabinet Member (Policing and Equalities) Coventry Award of Merit Advisory Panel held on 17 October 2014.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Cabinet Member (Policing and Equalities) considers the advice from the meeting of the Cabinet Member (Policing and Equalities) Coventry Award of Merit Advisory Panel held on Friday 17October 2014 and made recommendations to the City Council accordingly.

2.  That the Cabinet Member (Policing and Equalities) approves the purchase of the ceremonial medals.

3.  That the City Council approves the recommendations of the Cabinet Member (Policing and Equalities) and grants the Coventry Award of Merit to the recipients recommended by the Cabinet Member (Policing and Equalities) (Minute 53 below refers)

 Report of the Executive Director, Resources

The Cabinet Member noted a report of the Executive Director of Resources that identified those issues on which further reports had been requested and were outstanding, so that progress could be monitored.

To consider any other items of public business which the Cabinet Member decides to take as a matter of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

The Cabinet Member formally recorded his thanks to Jane Barlow, Rosie Potts, Sophie Swords and Ben Yorke for organising and making the visit of the Romanian and Serbian Ambassadors a tremendous success and requested that this be conveyed to the chief Executive for his records.

Report of the Executive Director, Resources

Further to Minute 48 above, the Cabinet Member considered a corresponding private report of the Executive Director of Resources which provided further details on the Magistrate’s Court Building.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities:

1.  Notes the progress made since the last report dated 1 May 2014 and directs that a further report be submitted for consideration at the Cabinet Member meeting on 18 December 2014.

2.  Authorises the assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Services (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities) to continue with the settlement negotiations following the mediation on 25 September 2014.

3.  In the event that the settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, the Assistant Director for Legal and Democratic Services is authorised (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities) to pursue the court proceedings as appropriate and in the Council’s best interests.

Report of the Executive Director, Resources

Further to Minute 49 above, the Cabinet Member (Policing and Equalities) considered a corresponding private report of the Executive Director of Resources which detailed the proposed nominations. The nominations were kept confidential pending consultation with the recipients. 

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Cabinet Member (Policing and Equalities) considers advice from the meeting of the Cabinet Member (Policing and Equalities) Coventry Award of Merit Advisory Panel held on Friday 17 October 2014 and approves the nominations and grants the Coventry Award of Merit to the following recipients:

Mr David L Burbidge OBE DL

For outstanding service to the economic and cultural life of the City, including his contribution to the development of Coventry Building Society, The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Cathedral Development Trust and, more recently, the Royal Shakespeare Company and to the Lord Lieutenancy of the West Midlands. 

Councillor Ann Lucas OBE

For her outstanding contribution to the city of Coventry for 20 years as an Elected Member, serving as its first female Leader of the City Council.  Her work on domestic violence issues received national recognition when she was awarded an OBE in HM The Queen New Year’s Honours List 2014 and her role at the Local Government Association as Chair of the Safer Neighbourhoods Group and National Domestic Violence Champion.

Mrs Betty McGlinchey

For her outstanding personal devotion to the children of the City of Coventry, acting as a foster carer for nearly 40 years fostering more than 1,200 children with love, care and compassion.  By personal example of service to others, she has demonstrated the highest ideals of citizenship.  Her work was recognised nationally by the Pride of Britain Awards 2014 as a local hero. 

Mr Ratan N Tata GBE and Jaguar Land Rover

To recognise the investment of Tata Steel into Jaguar Land Rover to protect the status of car manufacturing in the region, the Jaguar Land Rover brand and particularly employment of its employees and many subsidy suppliers.  The promotion of Coventry, through Jaguar Land Rover and its birthplace, continues to be recognised globally and his contribution to the Warwick Manufacturing Group and the University of Warwick.

Councillor Ken Taylor OBE

For outstanding contribution to the city of Coventry for nearly 30 years on the City Council, serving as Lord Mayor in 2002 and former Leader of the City Council for 6 years.  He received national recognition for his services to local government, including the Local Government Association, when he was honoured with an OBE in 2010.  He was a board member of Advantage West Midlands and former Chair of the Coventry Partnership.

The Most Reverend Justin Welby

For outstanding contribution to national life and international affairs through his personal devotion to the Church of England which continues to bring credit to the City of Coventry.  As former Sub-Dean and Canon for Reconciliation Ministry at Coventry Cathedral and now Archbishop of Canterbury the city’s message of peace and reconciliation continues to be recognised worldwide.

2.  That the Cabinet Member (Policing and Equalities) approves the purchase of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

To consider any other items of private business which the Cabinet Member decides to take as a matter of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

The Cabinet Member requested a private report to be submitted to the December meeting by the Head of Community Safety in consultation with the Chief of Police, providing assurance around issues of child abuse, prostitution and human trafficking allegedly taking place in various Coventry Hotels.