Coventry Council's cabinet met to discuss the city's financial performance, progress on the local plan, and other key initiatives. The cabinet approved the final revenue outturn position for 2024/25, endorsed the submission of the local plan review for examination, and approved the recommissioning of housing related support services. Additionally, the council accepted a music hub revenue grant and discussed amendments to road designations by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

Here's a more detailed look at the key discussion points:

Local Plan Review

The cabinet endorsed the submission of the Local Plan Review to the Secretary of State for independent examination, and recommended that the full council also approve the submission. The Local Plan Review sets out the vision for the city to 2030, and how the council plans to increase the economic prosperity of the city and region, improve outcomes and tackle inequalities, and tackle the causes and consequences of climate change.

The review includes a target of 29,100 new dwellings and 60 hectares of employment land between 2021 and 2041.

The report noted that the council had received 1,719 comments from 930 respondents during the Regulation 18 consultation, and 402 comments from 75 respondents during the Regulation 19 stage.

Revenue and Capital Outturn Report 2024/25

The cabinet approved the final balanced revenue outturn position for 2024/25, which included an underspend of £1.8 million. This underspend was balanced by a contribution to earmarked reserves. They also approved final capital expenditure of £128.8 million.

The report highlighted significant pressures within adult and children's social care, and city services, caused by increased service demand, complex cases, and social care market conditions.

Coventry Protocol for Addressing Adult Modern Slavery

The cabinet approved the proposed Coventry Protocol for Addressing Adult Modern Slavery, recognising the council's legal responsibility under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The protocol sets out the strategic vision for the Coventry Modern Slavery Partnership and operational pathways for frontline professionals.

The cabinet requested that the Coventry Community Safety Partnership receive quarterly updates on the protocol's progress.

Re-commissioning of Housing Related Support Services

The cabinet approved the re-commissioning of Housing Related Support Services, which aim to support vulnerable individuals and prevent homelessness. The new contracts, effective from 1 April 2026, will focus on prevention work and support specific groups at risk of homelessness.

The new provision would support the delivery of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (2025- 2029). The key aim was to ensure that the newly commissioned services were not only focussed on the delivery of services to households who were in a crisis, but that prevention work was fundamental in the delivery of these services.

The cabinet delegated authority to the Director of Care, Health and Housing to commence the tender process and award contracts to preferred suppliers.

One Coventry Plan Annual Performance Report (April 2024 - March 2025)

The cabinet approved the One Coventry Plan Annual Performance Report, which assesses the council's progress against its strategic vision for the city. The report measures performance against 74 metrics, with 67% of directional metrics showing improvement or remaining the same.

Key achievements include a record-breaking visitor economy, increased resident employment rates, and a reduction in carbon emissions. Challenges remain in areas such as child poverty and recycling rates.

The report noted that against the priority of 'Increasing the economic prosperity of the city and region', there were 3 indicators that did not show progress this year:

• * The number 16–17-year-olds not in education, employment, or training (NEET) and the number of school leavers aged 16+ continuing to a sustained education, apprenticeship or employment destination (2 indicators) worsened.
• * The number of active enterprises (and rate per 10,000 adult population) reduced.

The report noted that against the 'Improving outcomes and tackling inequalities within our communities' priority, progress is shown to have not been achieved in the following indicators:

• * The number of first-time entrances to the youth justice system
• * The level of development at age 5
• * The number of overweight or obese children.
• * The number of children living in low-income families has increased
• * The number of fly-tipping incidents reported.
• * The number of children in care (but this has reduced when not including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and young people)
• * The number of homelessness cases prevented and relieved

The report noted that against the priority 'Tackling the causes and consequences of climate change' progress has been made in a number of the key metrics, but that the desired progress had not been made in the following indicators:

• * Our CDP carbon disclosure score
• * The number of principal roads or unclassified roads in a good/acceptable condition (2 indicators)
• * Pavements without defects present
• * Pedestrian road casualties
• * The amount of household waste recycled and composted.

Acceptance of the Music Hub Revenue Grant

The cabinet approved the acceptance of a £1,708,871 revenue grant from Arts Council England (ACE) for the Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull Music Hub for the 2025/26 academic year. Coventry City Council will act as the lead organisation for the hub, distributing funds to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and Warwickshire County Council.

Schedule 1 of the West Midlands Combined Authority (Functions and Amendment) Order 2017, Combined Authority Roads

The cabinet delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration and Economy to consent to the submission of a proposal to amend the 2017 Order, removing Schedule 1, which designates certain roads as Combined Authority Roads. This change aims to align WMCA powers with the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, allowing the WMCA to designate and undesignate Key Network Roads with the consent of constituent authorities.