Minutes:
1. His Honour Judge Andrew Lockhart KC
The Lord Mayor expressed sincere gratitude to His Honour Judge Andrew Lockhart KC, Honorary Recorder for the City of Coventry, who was ending his term of office shortly. Andrew had been appointed to the post in 2017, and the Lord Mayor referred to his significant contribution and steadfast support for the Council during his tenure.
The Lord Mayor and
Members paid tribute to Andrew and wished him best wishes for the
future.
The Lord Mayor referred to the school shooting which took place in Coventry’s twin city of Graz on 10 June 2025. On behalf of the Council, the Lord Mayor expressed deepest sympathies and extended thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the incident. Members noted that a letter of condolence had been sent on behalf of the City Council from the Lord Mayor and the Leader to the Mayor of Graz.
3. Air India Flight Crash
The Lord Mayor referred to the recent tragic crash of the Air India flight on 12 June 2025. Members noted that amongst those who lost their life was Jamie Greenlaw-Meek from Coventry. On behalf of the Council, the Lord Mayor extend condolences to Jamie’s family and friends and to all those who lost a loved one.
4.
Death of former Councillor Tom White
CBE
The Lord Mayor referred to the recent death of the Former Councillor Tom White.
Tom represented Henley Ward for 8 years between 1996 and 2004. During his time as a Councillor he sat on several committees, particularly relating to social care and senior roles included Chair of the Older Policy People’s Policy Team and Cabinet member for Community Well-being. Tom also worked in social services management posts before becoming Coventry’s first Director of Social Services in 1970. He left the City Council in 1985 to become Director of Social Work at the National Children’s Home.
He was awarded the Coventry Award of Merit in 2002 in recognition of his outstanding development of social services within the City of Coventry and was also awarded a CBE and conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration by Coventry University.
Members paid tribute to Tom and noted that a letter of condolence had been sent to his family.
5.
Death of Ken Lomas
The Lord Mayor referred to the recent death of Ken
Lomas. Ken worked at the City Council
from 1959 until his retirement in 1992.
He began in the Treasurers’ Department becoming Deputy
Treasurer and then City Treasurer.
In 1974 he was appointed Director of Property Services responsible for the management of all council property - a position he held until his retirement.
In relations to items 2 to 5 above, the Council observed a Minute’s silence as a mark of respect.
6. King’s Birthday Honours
The Lord Mayor referred to the following recipients of Honours the recent King's Birthday Honours List:
Fleur Sexton DL, Chief Executive and co-founder of PET-Xi Training has been awarded an MBE for services to the community in Coventry.
David Keene, the founder of Aurrigo International plc in Coventry has been awarded an MBE for his services to the decarbonisation of airports.
Paul Stephen Wilsher, Commercial Support at the Department for Education has been awarded an MBE for services to Education.
Margaret Chatham has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the community in Coventry.
David Meredith, Chair of Albany Theatre has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to Theatre and the Community in Coventry.
Aruna Bipin Mistry has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to higher education
Trevor Pepper, National Pubwatch Regional representative has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the Night-time Economy and the Hospitality Industry.
On behalf of the City Council, the Lord Mayor congratulated all recipients on their awards.
7.
Andrew Walster
The Lord Mayor referred to the upcoming departure of Andrew Walster, who was leaving the City Council to take up a new role as Managing Director at Western Riverside Waste Authority in London.
Andrew joined the City Council in 2003 and was currently the Director for City Services and Commercial he had responsibility for a number of areas including bin collections, street cleaning, planning, parks, highways and traffic management and improvements to public realm.
The Lord Mayor and Members paid tribute to Andrew and wished him every success in the future.