Coventry City Council

Bin collections in Coventry could be delayed due to staffing issues down to Covid-19, the council warned.

Coventry City CouncilCopyright: Coventry City Council

A number of workers are shielding from the virus in line with government guidance and others are currently self-isolating.

The city council asked for patience from residents if their bins are missed on regular collection days as a result.

The Coventry Live website's top stories today include:

• Coventry City given major Ricoh Arena return boost
• Senior Coventry councillor resigns from cabinet role after breaking Covid quarantine rules
• Restaurant fined for breaching 22:00 curfew

E-scooters will be fitted with number plates when they return to Coventry after an initial trial had to be halted due to people riding them on pavements.

AFPCopyright: AFP

The 12-month scheme was paused after five days amid reports they were being used in pedestrianised areas - against guidelines.

The city council put the trial on hold while it reviewed how e-scooters could be used "appropriately".

Swedish company Voi, which provided the devices, said they would all have clear number plates when the trial restarted to help identify riders.

The firm said it would also have more staff on the streets to "enforce safe behaviour" and the e-scooters would not work between 22:00 and 06:00.

A senior Coventry councillor has resigned from his position after being filmed breaching social distancing rules.

This week, a video emerged of Labour's Tariq Khan shaking hands, hugging people, receiving a garland and saluting to a camera in Edgwick Park, Foleshill, in August.

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The Conservative Party had called for a vote of no confidence and now an internal message from council leader George Duggins confirmed the news that Mr Khan has now resigned.

It read that Mr Khan has requested 24 hours to "frame" his resignation and it confirmed that he had now stepped down from his post.

Mr Khan will remain in the Labour Party and as a councillor for Foleshill.

A vote of no confidence is going to be held about a Coventry city councillor who was filmed breaking social distancing rules at a large gathering at the weekend.

Tariq Khan, the Labour councillor for Foleshill, was filmed shaking hands and hugging people at Edgwick Park and the Conservative group on the council said he must resign from his post as cabinet member for communities and housing.

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

The council said it was investigating the incident, which it said was a "clear breach of public health guidance".

Mr Khan and the Coventry Labour group haven't commented, but the council leader George Duggins said: “I totally support the council’s statement.”

School holiday dates have altered in Coventry this year after complaints.

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The city council says it is to bring it in line with the half-term dates in Warwickshire after complaints from parents.

Some were having to pay for twice as much childcare if their children went to schools in two different authorities.

The autumn term in Coventry will start on 1 September with the first half-term holiday from 26 October.

One of Coventry City Council' s top officials was paid a settlement of nearly £400,000 to leave the organisation, BBC CWR has learnt.

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Martin Yardley, the former deputy chief executive, took early retirement this year after 12 years at the council and has since taken up a new role with the University of Warwick.

Conservative opposition leader councillor Gary Ridley said the money could have been better spent.

“It is very difficult to justify especially when the council is pleading poverty."

The city council said the settlement would result in long-term savings as his position has been made redundant and the local authority restructured.

Temporary accommodation has been found for 96 homeless people living on the streets of Coventry, since the coronavirus crisis began.

The city council said there were still seven people sleeping rough, but the member for housing and communities Tariq Khan said it was a "massive achievement to encourage so many rough sleepers off the streets".

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

In addition, six new outreach workers have started working in Coventry to support people who are on the streets.

Coventry’s new mayor is to be appointed in a virtual ceremony during lockdown.

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Councillor Ann Lucas will take over the role of lord mayor from Linda Bigham at the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday 21 May.

The meeting will allow the current lord mayor to pass on the chains of office and keep council business moving as chair of full council meetings.

The short virtual hearing will also see John McNicholas named as deputy lord mayor.

Garden waste collections have resumed in Coventry, the city council has said.

The service had been suspended while crews dealt with the impact of coronavirus but began again today.

Previously, the authority had advised people to compost their garden waste at home or bag it up and store it at the rear of their properties.

Coventry City CouncilCopyright: Coventry City Council

As well as elections for the West Midlands Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner, the following councils were expecting to be holding elections for some of their seats on 7 May.

• Cannock Chase District Council
• Coventry City Council
• Dudley Council
• Nuneaton and Bedworth District Council
• Sandwell Council
• Solihull Council
• Walsall Council
• City of Wolverhampton Council
• Redditch Borough Council
• Rugby Borough Council
• Tamworth Borough Council
• Worcester City Council

They will now be held next year instead.