Coventry City Council convened on 2 September 2025, to discuss several key issues, including the submission of the Local Plan Review for examination, an update to the Local Development Scheme, and political proportionality following changes in council group membership. Councillors also addressed questions on topics ranging from asylum seeker support to the city's contract with Palantir¹ and the Very Light Rail programme.

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

Local Plan Review - Submission for Examination

The council approved the submission of the Coventry Local Plan Review for examination by the Secretary of State, marking a significant step in the plan-making process. The Local Plan Review - Submission for Examination Report includes a draft of the Coventry Local Plan Regulation 19 and associated documents, including a summary of key issues from Regulation 19 and the current housing supply trajectory. The decision was made after considering responses from formal consultations and an advisory visit from the Planning Inspectorate. The council also delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration and Economy, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, to take necessary steps for the examination, including appointing a Programme Officer and proposing modifications to the Plan. The Sustainability Appraisal (SA) played a key role in shaping the plan, with a focus on mitigating negative effects and enhancing positive outcomes.

Local Development Scheme (LDS) Update

The council adopted an updated Local Development Scheme (LDS), a project plan outlining the preparation of planning documents. The Local Development Scheme Report and accompanying appendix provides a timeline for the Local Plan Review and includes the Homes in Multiple Occupation Development Plan Document (HMO DPD) and associated Article 4 Direction. The updated LDS reflects the progress of the Local Plan Review and incorporates feedback from public consultations. The council delegated authority to the Director of Regeneration and Economy, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, to prepare the LDS for publication and correct any minor errors.

Political Proportionality and Amendments to Appointments

Following Councillor G Lewis's resignation from the Labour Group and the formation of the Green and Independent Alliance Group, the council approved a revised political proportionality for 2025/26. As a result, several amendments were made to appointments on council bodies, including changes to the Planning Committee, the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Board. The revised Political Proportionality ensures political balance on council bodies, as required by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and related regulations.

Annual Report of the Ethics Committee

The council noted the Annual Report of the Ethics Committee for 2024/25, which detailed the committee's work on the Local Code of Corporate Governance, Code of Conduct complaints, and efforts to address abuse in public life. The Ethics Committee Annual Report 2024-25 also highlighted the committee's support for Members' training and development. The council considered whether there was any additional work within the committee's terms of reference that it would wish the committee to undertake. The Ethics Committee approved the Annual Report, subject to the addition of the names of the Independent Persons on the Committee and information regarding the outcomes of Code of Conduct complaints.

Coventry Protocol for Addressing Adult Modern Slavery

The council was asked to support and endorse the Coventry Protocol for Addressing Adult Modern Slavery, a document formalising the city's operational and strategic response to adult exploitation. The protocol, developed by the Coventry Modern Slavery Protocol Partnership Group, sets out the strategic vision for the Coventry Modern Slavery Partnership and presents operational pathways for frontline professionals. The Cabinet agreed to request that the Coventry Community Safety Partnership receive quarterly updates on the protocol's progress from the Harm and Abuse Reduction Partnership. The Coventry Protocol for Addressing Adult Modern Slavery was developed between October 2023 – November 2024 by the Coventry Modern Slavery Protocol Partnership Group. The Group was formed of several Council departments and over 30 partner organisations. The Protocol underwent consultation with over 150 professionals as well as a lived experience advisory panel formed of consultants with personal experience of modern slavery in early 2025. The protocol has the following objectives:

• To present Coventry Modern Slavery Partnership's local strategic approach to modern slavery via the pursue, prevent, protect, prepare approach as set out by the central government.
• To present the operational processes for responding to modern slavery in Coventry via the creation of survivor support pathways. The pathways are diverse and aim to guide staff through every aspect of case management. Some pathways are general for any professional to use, others have been created by and for priority teams (e.g. Adult Social Care, NHS, and Trading Standards).
• To establish the ongoing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for the strategy and pathways.

Revenue and Capital Outturn Report 2024/25

The council considered the Revenue and Capital Outturn Report 2024/25, outlining the final financial position for the fiscal year. The report highlighted an underspend of £1.8 million, balanced by a contribution to earmarked reserves, and capital programme expenditure of £128.8 million. The council faced significant pressures within Adults and Children's Social Care and City Services, but the underlying revenue position improved due to increased one-off income. The council approved the final balanced revenue outturn position, the final capital expenditure and resourcing position, and the outturn Prudential Indicators position. The council was recommended to approve the contribution to reserves of £1.8 million for specific purposes.

Scrutiny Annual Report to Council 2024-2025

The council approved the Scrutiny Annual Report to Council 2024-2025, which detailed the work undertaken by the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee and various Scrutiny Boards. The report included highlights from the year, cross-cutting themes, and recommendations made to the Executive. The council noted that the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee and each Scrutiny Board has an active work programme, with opportunities for all members to suggest items for scrutiny.

Question Time

Councillors submitted written questions, with responses provided by Councillors N Akthar, K Caan, G Duggins, P Hetherton, and J O'Boyle. The Written Question Booklet 1 included questions on:

• The number of asylum seekers in Coventry.
• The protection of allotments.
• The council's contract with Palantir.
• Tom White Waste breaking the Birmingham strike.
• The status of the Riley Square redevelopment.
• Grooming and sexual abuse of children in care.
• The use of hotels and HMOs for illegal migrants/asylum seekers.
• The supply of skips to housing estates to deter fly-tipping.

The answers to the written questions were also published.

Oral questions were put to Cabinet Members and Deputy Cabinet Members on various matters, including:

• Matters championed by the Disability and Equality Action Partnership
• Macquarie acquisition of Birmingham Airport
• The City Council's plans following the recent report from Baroness Cassey's National Audit on group-based child sexual exploitation with its 12 key recommendations.
• Actions taken to support traders impacted by the current development work in the City Centre.
• Measures taken to ensure traffic and business disruption during the development and implementation of the CVLR (Coventry Very Light Rail) programme.
• Assurance that the plans in respect of connecting the VLR to UHCW would not impact on the Clifford Bridge Road cycle path.
• Delays in replacing garden waste bins when they have been reported as damaged during collection.
• Welcoming the recent national audit report (referred to at question 3 above).
• Plans for car parking following demolition of the former Godiva Carpets building in Spon End.
• Protective measures taken in respect of grooming gangs.

Statements

Councillor G Duggins, Leader of the Council, made a statement on matters including the fire at Henley College, Coventry Very Light Rail, the new Bishop of Coventry, Armed Forces Day, the Godiva Festival, VE day celebrations, and the upcoming Adult Social Care CQC inspection.

Councillor P Seaman, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, made a statement on the progress being made to improve Children's and Education Services in Coventry.

Debates

The following debates took place:

• Gaza
• Abandoned Vehicles
• Planning and Infrastructure Bill - Protect Nature

Councillor AS Khan moved a motion, seconded by Councillor S Nazir, regarding the starvation of innocent people in Gaza. The motion was adopted with 28 councillors voting for, 9 against, and 0 abstaining.

Councillor G Ridley moved a motion, seconded by Councillor J Lepoidevin, calling on the DVLA to make it easier for local authorities and the police to remove untaxed abandoned vehicles. The motion was unanimously adopted.

Councillor E Reeves withdrew a motion regarding the Planning and Infrastructure Bill - Protect Nature.