Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

a)  To agree the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 July, 2021

b)  Any matters arising

The Minutes of the meetig held on 30 July, 2021, were agreed and signed as a true record.

There were no matters arising.

Report of the Director of Property Services and Development

The Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change considered a report of the Director of Property Services and Development which indicated that Coventry Rugby Club, a historic club forming part of the fabric of the City since its inception in 1874, moved to its new home of the Butts Park Arena in 2004 following the sale of its home of 88 years at Coundon Road. Currently the Club plays its first team rugby in the Championship league of English Rugby.

Butts Park Arena is located close to the city centre and sits within an area identified for wider regeneration. Over the last 10 years significant development of the adjoining former City College site has seen the creation of a new business and leisure area including a hotel, affordable and extra care residential homes and Albany Theatre. In addition there has been new student housing built in the Butts area as well as current plans being developed to improve the existing social housing estate opposite in Spon End.

Coventry Rugby Club has recognised that their rugby income alone is insufficient to sustain the club. Therefore in order to ensure that this historic Club continues to contribute to the City, a greater focus on commercial activity in its current location is essential to make the club financially self- sustaining in the long term. This financial stability will support the aspiration of a sustained top 3 league position as well as providing leadership in the local community through the promotion of health and well being through sport.

Since 2018, the Club has invested circa £2.5m enhancing the site and operations which included laying down an artificial playing surface enabling all year playing of multiple sports. As a result, the Butts Park Arena is not only the home of Coventry Rugby Club but also Coventry Bears Rugby League Club, Coventry United F.C and Coventry United Ladies F.C. The Arena has also hosted American Football as well as Gaelic Football and its facilities have been made available to local schools, universities and junior rugby clubs. In addition the ‘engineered’ layer below the artificial pitch facilitates the hosting of concerts and outdoor events.

The lease of the Butts Park Arena is currently held by Butts Park Arena Limited on a 125 years long leasehold from the Council dated 21 Jan 2003, with an annual peppercorn ground rent.  Butts Park Arena Limited is a company which is majority owned and controlled by Coventry Rugby Club Ltd. The Club now proposes to develop the facilities further but this requires support from the Council to extend their lease term and widen their user clause to enable this new development to happen.

The key components of the development proposal are:-

·  150 bed hotel development

·  New 1200 spectator covered standing terrace including with ground floor club shop, food and beverage outlets and fan zone

·  140 apartments of private rented residential accommodation.

·  Drive through café.

·  Hospitality suite and seating area will be developed in the wider site development plan

Butts Park  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

There are no outstanding issues.

There were no outstanding issues.

There were no other items of urgent public business.