Coventry City Council's cabinet is scheduled to meet on 30 September 2025 to discuss several key issues, including adult social care performance, a grant allocation from the Department for Education, and the disposal of an asset at Binley Business Park. Councillor G Lloyd, Chair of the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee, has been invited to attend the meeting to agree the need for urgency regarding the Department for Education grant allocation.

Adult Social Care Performance

The cabinet will be presented with the Adult Social Care Performance Self-Assessment and Annual Report (Local Account) 2024-25. The report pack includes the Adult Social Care Performance Self-Assessment and Annual Report (Local Account) 2024-25, Appendix 1 - Adult Social Care Self Assessment 2024-25 and Appendix 1 - Adult Social Care Annual Report 2024-25. The Briefing Note from Health and Social Care Scrutiny Board 5 17 September 2025 includes a recommendation from the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Board (5) to accept the recommendations within the report. The annual report covers performance and activity from the previous year, with case studies included. Since the introduction of the Local Authority Assessment Framework by the Care Quality Commission¹ (CQC), the annual report has followed the four CQC themes for inspection. The self-assessment report uses the four themes from the CQC's assurance framework and the nine quality statements. The report identifies strengths, including:

• Safeguarding activity
• Processing Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards² (DoLS)
• Work with communities
• A stable social care market
• Partnership working with NHS organisations
• Promoting independence through occupational therapy
• Carers support
• A committed and stable workforce Areas for development include:
• Personalising the experience of care and support
• Always improving
• New models of support
• Support to unpaid carers
• Prevention
• Use of technology
• Integrated care with health partners

The report also mentions key challenges that Coventry City Council continues to manage, including:

• Increasing demand for services resulting from an ageing population
• Increasing numbers of adults with mental illness accessing long term support
• Increasing costs of care

The report author notes that the production of the 2024/25 annual report has drawn on feedback and information gathered from social care staff, partnership boards, the Adult Social Care Stakeholder Group, providers, partner organisations, and people who have been in contact with Adult Social Care, along with their families and carers.

Acceptance of Additional Grant Allocation from Department for Education

The cabinet will consider a report regarding the acceptance of an additional £243,953 grant allocation from the Department for Education (DfE), which would increase the total educational grant to £1.027 million. The report author is Kim Mawby, Head of Employment, Skills and Adult Education.

According to the report, the Adult Education Service (AES) typically receives an annual grant from the DfE to deliver educational study programmes, specifically supporting 16–19-year-old learners, including those aged 19–24 with an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). In July 2025, the AES received written notification from the DfE regarding the Education and Skills Condition of Funding Grant, with the intention to award the council an additional £243,953 for 16–19-year-old study programmes for the period 1 August 2025 – 31 July 2026.

The DfE also provides grants for Adult Skills provision, Tailored Learning, and Free Courses for Jobs (FCFJ), aligned to strategic priorities through an agreed curriculum plan. This supplementary funding is in addition to the existing 2025/26 academic year grant allocation of £784,000, resulting in a total aggregated grant exceeding £1 million for the year.

The DfE has requested that the Adult Education Service accept and sign for the additional monies by 1 October 2025. Councillor G Lloyd, Chair of the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee, has been invited to attend the meeting to agree the need for urgency such that call-in arrangements will not apply.

The additional investment will focus on a flexible approach that builds capacity to deliver a broad range of 16 to 19 programmes and learning outcomes, such as essential skills, study programmes, supported internships, health and well-being, and supporting progression into further learning, apprenticeships, and/or work. It will also provide the opportunity to align with other investments, such as the UKSPF³, Connect to Work and Youth Trailblazer, and wider programmes such as Work Well and the development of the Get Britain Working Local Plan. The report pack includes Acceptance of Additional 243953 Grant Allocation from Department for Education DfE to Increase t and Appendix 1 - Equality Impact Assessment.

Long Leasehold Disposal of Asset at Binley Business Park

The cabinet will review a report regarding the long leasehold disposal of an asset at Binley Business Park. The report author is Carwyn Beswick, Principal Development Surveyor.

According to the report, Binley Business Park is an established business park in the east of Coventry. The council holds the freehold interest of the park, with various parts let on short or long-term leases. The business park totals approximately 45 acres and offers office accommodation set in landscaped grounds in a strategic location.

The report seeks approval for the disposal of an office building, Oakfield House, for continued office use on a long leasehold basis to the existing tenant, Coventry Building Society. The disposal is in accordance with best asset management practice and supports a key existing occupier and employer operating within the city.

It is proposed that Coventry Building Society (CBS) will pay the council £3 million by way of a lease premium upon the completion of the new long lease. Thereafter, the annual rent will be a peppercorn alongside the payment of an estate service charge.

The report pack includes Long Leasehold Disposal of Asset at Binley Business Park and Appendix 1 - Plan.

Other Business

The cabinet will also discuss:

• Approving the minutes from the meeting of Cabinet on 26th August 2025.
• There are no outstanding issues to be discussed.