Coventry City Council’s new constitution has been changed to allow children to have a voice – but to keep Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck away.

Rules on the submissions of petitions had been introduced to try and prevent bogus signatures being counted.

Under the new arrangements, due to come into force later this month, any petition would have had to have the names of five people who were on the electoral register or business ratepayers before it was considered.

But the rules are to be re-worded to give children the chance to lobby councillors.

City Secretary John Payne said the section of the constitution had been phrased “to tackle Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck”.

He said the names were often seen on petitions handed in to the council.

Cllr Tim Sawdon (Conservative, Wainbody) said he was worried that the constitution as it stood would put young people off getting involved in politics.

Cllr John Fletcher (Labour, Whoberley), said:

“We’ve had some interesting petitions, for example from young people who wanted a skateboard park.

“I thought it was a good initiative on their part and something which we don’t want to discourage in the future.”

Members of the Executive Co-ordinating Committee agreed to forward the new constitution with some amendments to an extraordinary meeting of the city council next week.

The new political arrangements will come into force at noon on 18 May.

Cllr Fletcher, who stood down as leader but will chair one of the scrutiny committees said:

“I wish the new leader and his cabinet the very best of luck. As a chair of scrutiny I can tell them that they are going to need it.”

Membership of the scrutiny committees, which will look at decisions made by the new cabinets, has been decided.

Scrutiny Committee One, looking at decisions of the leader, deputy leader and environmental services:

Chair: Arthur Waugh (Labour); Vice Chair: Andy Matchet (Conservative);

Labour members: Dave Batten, Frank Carter, Sheila Collins, Kate Hunter, Parshotam Joshi, Ram Lakha, Heather Parker.

Conservative members: David Arrowsmith, Andrew Williams, Peter Stidworthy, Brian Kelsey

Socialist member: Dave Nellist

Scrutiny Committee Two, looking at issues covering Culture and Leisure, Service Co-ordination, Social Services, and Development and Renewal.

Chair: John Fletcher (Labour); Vice Chair: David Cairns (Labour)

Labour members: Roy Barker, Dave Chater, Dave Edwards, Meta Lakha, Margaret Lancaster, Eric Linton, Val Stone

Conservative members: Tim Sawdon, Michael Noonan, Anthony O’Neill, John Gazey, Diane Leslie

Socialist member: Rob Windsor

Liberal Democrat member: Derek Benefield

Scrutiny Committee Three will look at the decisions covering cabinet members with responsibility for Community Well-being, Community Services and Education Services,

Chair: Ken Taylor (Conservative) Vice Chair: Sacha Bains (Labour)

Labour members: Joe Clifford, Don Ewart, Ann Lucas, Peter Lacy, Keiran Mulhall, Brian Patton, William McKernan

Conservative members: Caron Matchet, Heather Noonan, Catherine Harper, Gary Crookes