Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests.

(a)  To agree the minutes from the meeting of Cabinet on 18 March 2025

(b)  Matters arising

The minutes of the meeting on 18 March 2025 were agreed and signed as a true record. There were no matters arising.

Report of the Director of Regeneration and Economy

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Regeneration and Economy on the proposed amendment (to be introduced via the Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment) Order 2025) giving additional funding powers under Section 100(1B) of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 to the West Midlands Combined Authority. Appendices to the report provided: a List of Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 2 and Level 3; the West Midlands Combined Authority paper describing the proposed changes to the WMCA Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment) Order 2018; and the Proposed changes to the West Midlands Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment) Order 2018.

Adult Education functions were currently funded by the Secretary of State for Education under the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (“the 2009 Act”). This report:

•  Outlined the Department of Education’s planned amendment to Adult Education functions, enabling the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to fund a new suite of high-quality technical qualifications through its Adult Skills Fund (ASF) from August 2025; and

•  Sought the City Council’s approval to the proposed amendment (to be introduced via the Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment) Order 2025) giving additional funding powers under Section 100(1B) of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 to the WMCA.

The Secretary of State had power under s105A Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 to transfer functions to Combined Authorities and under s19 of the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023 to transfer functions to Combined County Authorities.

In accordance with the provisions of section 105B of the 2009 Act, the Department of Education required formal approval from each Combined Authority, including each of their constituent authorities, before it proceeded with the Parliamentary process to transfer the additional funding power. 

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1)  Approves:

a)  The changes to be made to the West Midlands Combined Authorities (Adult Education Functions) (Amendment) Order 2018 as shown by way of track changes in Appendix 3 to the report; and

b)  The provision of formal consent to the laying of the Statutory Instrument in Parliament to bring into effect the changes contained in recommendation a) above.

2)  Delegates authority to the Director of Regeneration and Economy, following consultation with the Director of Finance and Resources, the Director of Law and Governance, and the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, to approve the specific drafting of the Order.

Report of the Director of Adult Services and Housing

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adult Services and Housing on the outcome of consultation for One Coventry Services. Appendices to the report provided: The Proposals (One Coventry Services Phase One); One Coventry Services Equalities Impact Assessments (post consultation); One Coventry Services Programme Equality Impact Assessment (post consultation); the Consultation Summary Report; Individual Proposal Consultation Feedback; and Details of petitions considered by the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at her meeting on 11 February 2025.

Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee considered the report their meeting on 11 April 2025 and a Briefing Note detailing their consideration of the matter and their recommendation to Cabinet, was circulated.

One Coventry Services was an operational change programme within the Transformation Plan 2024/25.

The programme aimed to deliver services differently by bringing them together in communities and building on current approaches within family hubs, libraries and adult social care settings. Proposals aimed to enable increased integration of a wider range of services and deliver financial efficiencies through reducing the number of service delivery locations and thereby the costs of operating these services in terms of both property and staffing. 

This was a programme of work that would develop over time, but the content of this report referred to the outcome of consultation regarding a series of proposals that were consulted on between 9 September 2024 and 4 November 2024.

The consultation was to be considered as a first phase and proposals were focussed on initial opportunities to bring services and service locations together. In doing so this wouldimprove efficiency by removing duplication in running costs and delivery functions. It would also enable residents to access services in single locations.

The design principles for One Coventry Services in this first phase of activity were:

·  Retain/prevent closure of services through integration/ co-location of services in a reduced number of buildings.

·  Ensure continued accessibility in community locations.

·  Maximise use of Council buildings.

·  Focus on best value for money.

·  Consider community reach and current footfall.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1)  Approves the recommendations received from Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee following their consideration of the report at their meeting on 10 April 2025.

2)  Notes that 2 petitions (as set out in Appendix F to the report) relating to proposals were received and considered by the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at the meeting which took place on 11 February 2025.

3)  Notes the outcomes of the public consultation and the cumulative resulting equality impacts in Appendix C to the report and the updated Equality Impact Assessment for each proposal in Appendix B to the report.

4)  Approves the implementation of the proposals as consulted on and detailed in Appendix A to the report:

i.  Bell Green Library Service – Relocate Bell Green Library Service to Park Edge Family Hub building.

ii.  Dover Street – Relocate the office base of Adult Social Care Promoting Independent Living Service and the office base of Axholme Enablement and Outreach Service to other  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

Report of the Director of Adult Services and Housing

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adult Services and Housing that sought approval to update and supersede the City Council Housing Assistance Policy approved in 2022 to take account of national updates and to expand on areas not previously covered. Appendices to the report provided: the Housing Assistance Policy - Disabled Facilities Grant (mandatory and discretionary) 2025; and an Equality Impact Assessment

Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG’s) were available to disabled people when works to adapt their home were assessed necessary and appropriate to meet their needs and when it was reasonable and practicable to carry them out having regard to the age and condition of the dwelling. Elements of the grant were mandatory, and others could be provided at the discretion of the Council (discretionary grants).

The report seeks approval to update and supersede the City Council Housing Assistance Policy approved in 2022 to take account of national updates and to expand on areas not previously covered. The revised Policy was comprehensive, it included recommendations from Foundations, the nationally approved body for the delivery of disabled facilities grants in England, and described the various processes applied.

By updating the Policy, there was greater clarity on the mandatory grants, discretionary grants, the criteria and the process followed and would enable more flexible arrangements for applicants.

The changes included:

1.  The legal framework had been updated and expanded to include the City Council response to applications relating to armed forces personnel. This included clarity on situations where the Ministry of Defence were solely responsible.

2.  Strategic alignment with the Coventry Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-2026 and the One Coventry Plan 2022-2030.

3.  Updates to reflect the needs of an ageing population but equally how DFG could and should support children and young adults with disability. The revised Policy enabled funds to be utilised for people who needed it the most. It was recognised that the discretionary non means tested limit allowed everyone regardless of financial situation access to the funds. The removal of the discretionary non means test ensured that funds were allocated to those who needed the support. The introduction of the contribution grant ensured that common adaptations such as level access showers could be completed without any financial demand on the applicant. It outlined the mandatory grants process, specified the response and eligibility criteria and how this would be applied in practice.

4.  It outlined the discretionary grants available, response and eligibility criteria and the process to be followed. The new parameters and governance around the application and authorisation of grants were explicitly set out in the revised Policy to aid objective decision making.

5.  The Policy reinstated the statutory Local Land Charge for owner occupiers capping this to a total of £10,000 and introduced land charges for elements of the discretionary grants.

6.  The delegation of Top Up Grants (TUG) funding agreements of up to £10,000 to the Team Manager for DFG and agreement for a maximum of £30,000 top up funding to an adaptation's Approval Panel.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.

There are no outstanding issues

There were no outstanding issues.

There were no other items of public business.