Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 24 February 2026 were agreed and signed as a true record.

To be presented by the Lord Mayor and Judge Montgomery KC, Honorary Recorder

On behalf of the City Council, the Lord Mayor and Her Honour Judge Montgomery KC, Honorary Recorder, presented Mohram Ali with the Good Citizen Award. His citation read:

“Mohram is recognised for his lifelong dedication to community service, cultural enrichment, and charitable leadership, embodying the values of compassion, resilience and unwavering commitment to the people of Coventry.

As a founding member of the Coventry Bangladeshi Language School and a trustee and Chairperson of the Jalalabad Mosque, he has played a pivotal role in nurturing cultural identity, strengthening community cohesion, and creating spaces of education, guidance, and support for residents across the city.

His charitable work extends far beyond Coventry, spanning decades of humanitarian aid, including support for vulnerable families, flood victims, Rohingya refugees, and communities affected by global crises.

Mohram’s enduring service, leadership, and generosity of spirit exemplify the qualities of a true Good Citizen, making a profound and lasting impact on his community and inspiring all who know him.”

1. Thomas Niven

The Lord Mayor referred to the tragic news of Thomas Niven’s death on 13^th March and indicated that the Council’s  thoughts were with his family and all who are grieving this unexpected loss.

2. Visit to Cork
   
   The Lord Mayor reported on her visit to Coventry’s twin City of Cork to take part in commemorative events and celebrations for St Patrick’s Day. 
   
   Coventry was the first City to be twinned with Cork in 1958 and the links between the two cities have remained very strong.

The visit had included Church services in St Finbar’s Cathedral and St Anne’s Cathedral in the City and a spectacular city-wide parade featuring marching bands, floats and traditional music.

3. Retiring Councillors

  The Lord Mayor referred to the following Councillors who would not be standing in this year’s elections:

·  Councillor Maya Ali – Maya had represented Westwood Ward from 2012-2016 and Radford Ward from 2019.

·  Councillor Tariq Khan – Tariq had represented Foleshill Ward since 2010.

·  Councillor Kevin Maton – Kevin had represented Whoberley Ward from 1987 to 2003 and Henley Ward since 2006. He was Lord Mayor in 2022-2023.

·  Councillor Catherine Miks – Catherine had represented Lower Stoke Ward since 2011.

·  Councillor Tim Sawdon – Tim had represented Wainbody Ward since 1974.  He was Lord Mayor in 2012-2013.

·  Councillor Bally Singh – Bally had represented Whoberley Ward since 2010.

·  Councillor Robert Thay – Robert had represented Wyken Ward since 2012.

A number of Members stood to thank Councillors for the contribution they have made to the work of the City Council over the years and all Members wished them well for the future.

RESOLVED that the following petitions be referred to the appropriate Cabinet Member, City Council body or external organisation:

1.  Request that an empty home in Davenport Road with overgrown hedges be made safe – 20 signatures, presented by Councillor A Tucker.

2.  Request to prioritise funding to resurface Wigston Road – 57 signatures, presented by Councillor P Seaman.

3.  Request the City Council, Citizen Housing and Keepmoat Homes provide play equipment and play areas for our children – 5 signatures, presented by Councillor P Seaman.

4.  Request that the Council recognise that our rivers, streams and waterways are a key part of our environment – 50 signatures, presented by Councillor D Toulson (on behalf of Councillor G Lloyd).

5.  Request that no further work be carried out on the bus lane in Green Lan until a suitable construction access route had been agreed in respect of the Kings Hill development – 435 signatures, presented by Councillor M Heaven.

6.  Request a public meeting with the relevant Council Officer to discuss the Kings Hill Masterplan, called for by Finham Parish Council – 183 signatures, presented by Councillor J Blundell.

7.  Request that Coundon Wedge be designated as a nature reserve – 283 signatures, presented by Councillor J Birdi.

8.  Request a residents parking scheme in Crossington Road near the CBS Arena – 93 signatures, presented by Councillor B Christopher.

9.  Request a residents parking scheme in Glentworth Avenue near the CBS Arena – 19 signatures, presented by Councillor B Christopher.

10.Request for sufficient resources to improve pavement in the Mount Nod area and across Woodlands ward – 72 signatures, presented by Councillor P Male.

11.Request for parking charges to be ended for hospital workers, patients and visitors and put back in public hands – signatures unvalidated as received immediately prior to the meeting, presented by Councillor G Lewis.

(i)  Minute 93 - Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy2026-31

  Councillors N Akhtar, M Ali, J Birdi, J Blundell, R Brown, K Caan, G Hayre, M Heaven, A Jobbar, S Jobbar, AS Khan, T Sawdon, and R Lancaster (Lord Mayor) declared disclosable pecuniary interests in the matter referred to in Minute 93 (Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2026-31). They left the meeting during the consideration of this matter.

(ii)  Minute 98 – Consultation Response – Local Transport Authorities and the Licensing of Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles

Councillors N Akhtar and A Jobbar declared disclosable pecuniary interests in the matter referred to in Minute 98 (Local Transport Authorities and the Licensing of Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles), They left the meeting during the consideration of this matter.

(iii)  Minute 102 - The Debate on Selective Licensing

  Councillors N Akhtar, M Ali, J Birdi, J Blundell, R Brown, K Caan, G Hayre, M Heaven, A Jobbar, S Jobbar, AS Khan, T Sawdon, and R Lancaster (Lord Mayor) declared disclosable pecuniary interests in the matter referred to in Minute 102 (Debate on Selective Licensing).  They left the meeting during the consideration of this matter.

From Cabinet, 10 February 2026

Further to Minute 61 of Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services and Education that sought approval of the receipt of the Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Programme Grant for April 2026 to March 2029 and associated spend.

The Council currently operated 8 Family Hubs to deliver place-based integrated offers to families across the city, including the offer from the buildings, through an outreach community model and a new digital offer.

Coventry City Council was selected as one of 75 Local Authorities to join the national Family Hub and Start for Life Programme, covering the period April 2022 to March 2025 (first 1001 days), including financial investment to strengthen its offer to babies, children and families, building on its previous achievements. The Programme was then extended for a further year, covering April 2025 to March 2026.

The Programme had already received £6m of grant funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Department for Education (DfE) across the 4 years 2022/23 to 2025/26 to deliver the Programme objectives. Coventry was also formally recognized as a trailblazer in this approach, one of only 13 sites across England, and had received many national ministerial and governmental visits and had contributed to national evaluations.

The Programme had been governed by a Family Hub Programme Board, supporting the work of 7 workstreams to ensure that all the national minimum expectation, and most of the “go furthers”, of the framework were delivered within the Coventry Family hub offer, in line with the MOU associated with this grant.  An annual review report was provided, as well as regular updates, to the Cabinet Member for Children and Young people, the Health and Wellbeing Board, and other forums on request.

Further funding had now been allocated to Coventry for financial years 2026/27 to 2028/29, with a provisional allocation of £6,117,000, subject to the Council meeting the current Programme expectations up to March 2026 and the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding to formalise the agreement to meet the new Programme expectations. Cabinet was requested to accept receipt of the grant into the local authority and associated spend in order to deliver the Family Hub offer in line with the Programme Guidance.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1)  Accepted the grant funding and agrees planned associated spend for the purposes outlined in the report in respect of the Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Programme for the financial years 2026/27, 2027/28, and 2028/29.

2)  Delegated authority to the Director of Children’s Services and Education, following consultation with the Director of Finance and Resources (S151 Officer) and the Director of Law and Governance, to enter into the necessary legal agreements to accept the funding.

3)  Delegated the authority to the Director of Children’s Services and Education to grant funding to third parties in line with Programme expectations.

4)  Continue to agree that future reports on this grant and the Best Start Family Hub Programme are received  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

From the Meeting of Cabinet, held on 17 March 2026

Further to Minute 71 of the Cabinet, the City Council considered a report of the Director of Law, Governance and Safer Communities, which sought approval of the Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2026-2031.

On the 27 October 2025, the Renters Rights Act received royal assent, with the aim of improving the experience of private renting.  The Act introduces a suite of new powers for the Council that would come into force on 1May 2026, unpinned by new powers designated to be effective, consistent and proportionate enforcement framework.  The Government has also extended councils’ powers to collect and retain revenue for future enforcement work from financial penalties against landlords who flout the rules.

In order for the Council to use these powers it must have published a policy setting out how it will implement these powers in relation to properties in the Private Rented Sector (PRS).  The Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy was appended to the report and set out the Council’s strengthened approach to enforcing housing standards across the PRS and Social Housing (SH).  It incorporates updated legislation, particularly the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, and aims to ensure all rented homes meet statutory minimum standards to protect residents’ health and wellbeing.  The report summarised the key updates under a number of headings, including:

·  Clear legal framework

·  Proportionate enforcement approach

·  Civil penalties framework

·  Safeguarding and vulnerability

·  Clear expectations for landlords and tenants

·  Monitoring and review.

The Policy must be approved and published to allow the Council to implement the new powers.  Once approved, the Policy would take immediate effect, enabling the Council to use the powers introduced 27 December 2025 and prepare to use the remaining powers which have a fixed implementation dates of 1 May 2026.  The Cabinet noted that during the period between the publishing of the new Policy and 1 May 2026, the Council will need to maintain the use of existing powers prior to the introduction of the Renters Rights Act 2025 and, as such, the Council would carry out any such enforcement in accordance with the existing Policy on Enforcing Standards in Private Sector Housing 2020.

At their meeting, the Cabinet had agreed to authorise the Director of Finance and Resources (Section 151 Officer) to accept any future monies associated with New Burdens funding and income from the PRS Database once these have been confirmed by Government and authorise the Director of Law, Governance and Safer Communities to amend the scheme of delegations to include any new powers and duties arising as a result of the Renters Rights Act 2025.

RESOLVED that the City Council approve the Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy 2026-31.

Note: As the Lord Mayor had declared a pecuniary interest and was not present for the consideration of this matter, the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor R Bailey, took the Chair for this item.

From the Meeting of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities held on 23 March 2026

Further to Minute 53 of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities meeting, the City Council considered a report of the Director of Law, Governance and Safer Communities, that sought approval of the Elected Members Training and Development Strategy 2026-30.

The Cabinet Member noted that the report had also been considered by the Ethics Committee at its meeting held on 19^th March 2026 (their Minute 26/25 refers).

The environment in which Councillors’ work was constantly changing.  Ensuring that Councillors are properly supported to help them meet the high demands placed on them to carry out this challenging role effectively was increasingly important.  To respond to this need, the Elected Members Training and Development Strategy was agreed at Council on 22^nd March 2022, which provided a strategic approach to the training and development offer to Elected Members.  To ensure that the offer to Elected Members was still relevant the strategy had been refreshed to ensure it still met those needs.

During the lifetime of the current strategy, the offer and uptake of training by Elected Members had increased from 5 courses delivered internally or organised for Elected Members in 2018/19 resulting in 57 attendances, to 41 courses delivered or arranged internally resulting in 206 attendances in 2024/25.

A further consultation with Elected Members took place between December 2025 and March 2026.  The result of this suggested there was increased support for a core training programme, as well as improved communication and satisfaction with the offer provided.

The Strategy, set out in Appendix A, covered:

·  Purpose of the Strategy

·  Assessing Need and Requesting Training

·  Training Matrix

·  Governance and Delivery

The training matrix would provide a programme of core training which all Elected Members would be required to complete throughout their term of office.  In addition to this, there would be role-specific training for those Elected Members with special responsibilities, or who sat on specific Committees.  Core training for all Elected Members would include:

·  Code of Conduct

·  Induction programme for newly elected Members

·  Personal Safety

·  Equalities

·  Data Protection and Cyber Security

·  Health and Safety

Elected Members appointed to Planning Committee and Licensing and Regulatory Committee would also be required to complete training to sit on those Committees, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1.  Approved the refreshed Elected Members Training and Development Strategy as appended to the report.

2.  Approved the proposals for core training for Elected Members as identified in Section 3 of the report.

From the Meeting of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities held on 23 March 2026

Further to Minute 54 of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities meeting, the City Council considered a report of the Director of Law, Governance and Safer Communities, that sought approval of proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution.

The Constitutional Advisory Panel, at its meeting on 25^th February 2026, considered a number of proposed amendments to the Constitution following a review to ensure that the Constitution was current, effective and met requirements.

The Constitution sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that decisions are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people.  The purpose of the constitution was to ensure that the Council’s decision-making and governance arrangements help the Council to achieve its corporate aims, objectives and priorities effectively and efficiently.  It also ensures the Council meets its legal duties.

The Monitoring Officer had authority to make minor changes, such as changes to Director’s titles, updating legislative changes and typographical errors.

The Constitution was a living document and was regularly reviewed and benchmarked against other Local Authorities to ensure that it was current, effective, reflected best practice and was up to date.  A number of proposed amendments had been identified as part of this process.  The proposed amendments were set out in the Appendix to the report and, in summary, fell within the following areas:

·  Definition of Main Opposition Group and Shadow Cabinet Members

·  Member Officer Protocol – Part 4D of the Constitution

·  Membership of Scrutiny Boards and the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee

·  Appointment of Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor

·  Motions

·  Street Naming and Numbering

RESOLVED that the City Council approves:

1.  That the following paragraphs be inserted into Parts 1 and 2 of the Constitution:-

Main Opposition Group and Leader of the Main Opposition Group

The Main Opposition Group is the Political Group that has the numerically largest opposition Group.  The Leader of that Group is the Leader of the Main Opposition Group.  In the event of their being more than one Group having the same numerically largest number of seats, all of those Groups will be afforded the same rights.

Shadow Cabinet Members

The Leader of the Main Opposition will be entitled to nominate Councillors to act as Shadow Cabinet Members.  Shadow Cabinet Members have no decision-making powers but will be entitled to attend meetings in their role and speak at the discretion of the Cabinet Member.  They will also be entitled to receive briefings in relation to their Shadow Portfolio.

2.  The amendments to the Member Officer Protocol (Part 4D of the Constitution) as shown as traced changes in the Appendix to this report.

3.  That Paragraph 4.1 in Part 2D of the Constitution in relation to membership of the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee and Scrutiny Boards be amended to read as follows:

4.1  Councillors, except a member of the Cabinet, may be appointed as a member of a Scrutiny Board and the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee.  However, in order to ensure that no Member may be involved  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95.

From the Meeting of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities held on 23 March 2026.

Further to Minute 55 of the Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities meeting, the City Council considered a report of the Director of Law, Governance and Safer Communities, that sought approval of proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution.

The Constitutional Advisory Panel, at its meeting on 25^th February 2026, considered proposed amendments to the Constitution in relation to changes to the Contract Procedure Rules, Part 3G and the Financial Procedure Rules, Part 3F.

The Council’s Constitution sets out how the Council carries out its business and makes decisions. It was a living document and was reviewed and updated from time to time to ensure that it meets met changing legislative requirements and reflected changes in practise within the Council.

The proposed amendments to the Contract Procedure Rules as set out in Appendix A were to align to the introduction of the Local Government (Exclusion of Non-Commercial Considerations) (England) Order 2026.

In respect of the Contract Procedure Rules (Part 3G), the Government had introduced a new voluntary policy that permited in-scope contracting authorities such as Coventry City Council to reserve competitions for below-threshold contracts. Such reservations can be made for:

a)  Businesses based within the local area or United Kingdom; and/or

b)  Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and/or Voluntary and Community Social Enterprises (VCSEs).

Previously, authorities were prevented from reserving below-threshold contracts by reference to the location of contractors as a consequence of section 17(5)(e) of the Local Government Act 1988.  To bring the policy about, legislation has been made that disapplies the restriction, but only in specific circumstances.

While the policy was voluntary, when in-scope authorities do opt to use it, they must adhere to the provisions set out in the Local Government (Exclusion of Non-Commercial Considerations) (England) Order 2026 and ensure that notice requirements are followed in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and Procurement Regulations 2024.

The option to reserve competitions for below-threshold contracts should be considered on a case-by-case basis and made only where sufficient market intelligence exists in order to deliver value for money through a competitive procurement exercise, and not as a way to de facto directly award contracts.

The proposed changes to the Contract Procedure Rules are summarised as follows:

·  Inclusion of Reserving Competitions for Below-Threshold Contracts at Rule 20 of the Contract Procedure Rules (Part 3G).

·  In accordance with paragraph 2.8 above and new Rule 20.5 of the CPRs, Directors - in conjunction with the Head of Legal and Procurement Services - shall ensure that a Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is published and market engagement held prior to the reservation of any below-threshold contracts in the subsequent Tender Notice.

In relation to the Financial Procedure Rules (Part 3F), the report indicated that the Council periodically received grant allocations from central Government that were paid directly into the Council’s bank account.  In these circumstances, there was often no requirement to sign a funding agreement and, in some cases, no discretion for the Council to reuse the funding. 

Where such grants must be accepted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

Report of the Director of People and Facilities

The City Council considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources, seeking approval of the Annual Pay Policy Statement 2026/27.

Local Authorities wererequired bySections 38 and39 ofthe Localism Act 2011to producean annual Pay Policy Statement.The Statement must articulate the City Council’s policies towards a range of issues relating to the pay of the workforce, particularly the most senior staff (or “Chief Officers”) and the relationship of their pay to the lowest paid employees.The proposed annual Pay Policy Statement for2026/27 was attached as Appendix 1 of the report. 

The Pay Policy Statement ensured transparency and accountability regarding the Council’s approach to setting pay rates.The PayPolicy Statement whenapproved by Council, was published on the Council’s website in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011. The Council’s Statement of Policy on the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Regulations 2013 was attached at Appendix 2 of the report.

RESOLVED that the City Council approves the Annual Pay Policy Statement 2026/27 as attached as Appendix 1 of the report.

Report of the Director of Law, Governance, and Safer Communities

The City Council considered a report of the Director of Law, Governance and Safer Communities, which provided a proposed response to the Local Transport Authorities and the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles consultation (attached as Appendix 1 of the report).

The Council was requested to consider the report in response to the recent Government consultation regarding the role of Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) in the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles. The Department for Transport (DfT) proposes to transfer taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing responsibilities from district councils to LTAs. The move forms part of the wider English devolution programme, which was reshaping how transport was planned and regulated across larger, strategic areas.

The consultation proposed reforms aimed at improving consistency, transparency, and safety across licensing regimes, including enhanced data sharing between authorities, stricter background checks, and potential new national standards. However, there would be an impact on the licensing authority and although the current licensing regime was self?funding, transitional costs and organisational changes were likely, alongside the need to align differing existing policies and support licence holders through reasonable periods of adjustment should the move to LTA’s be implemented.

The Council’s input in response to the consultation was crucial to ensure local needs were represented in the national response and that implementation was managed effectively and within budget.

RESOLVED that the City Council:

1)  Approves the Council’s proposed response to the Local Transport Authorities and the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles consultation, as attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

2)  Approves that the response also includes the letter from the Chair of the Communities and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board in response to the Task and Finish Group mandatory CCTV in taxis and PHVs recommendations attached as Appendix 2 to the report.

(a)  Written Question – Booklet 1

(b)  Oral Questions to Chairs of Scrutiny Boards/Chair of Scrutiny

Co-ordination Committee

(c)  Oral Questions to Chairs of other meetings

(d)  Oral Questions to Representatives on Outside Bodies

(e)  Oral Questions to Cabinet Members and Deputy Cabinet Members on any matter

Councillors N Akhtar, AS Khan, K Caan and Hetherton provided written answers to the questions set out in the Questions Booklet, together with oral responses to supplementary questions at the meeting. The following Members answered oral questions put to them by other Members as set out below, together with supplementary questions on the same matters:

The Leader made a statement referring to:

·  6-year anniversary of the COVID lockdown

·  International Women’s Day

·  CQC Mini-Inspection of Adult Social Care

·  Congratulations to Coventry Blaze Ice Hockey Team

·  Coventry City Football Team success and promotion prospects

·  Tributes to Councillors retiring this municipal year.

·  Unacceptable targeting of people, particularly women, on social media

Councillor G Ridley, Leader of the Conservative Group, responded to the Statement.

Councillor E Reeves, Leader of the Green Group, responded to the Statement.

Councillor J Gardiner, Leader of the Reform Group, responded to the Statement.

The Leader made a short reply.

"Given the information now available following the BBC's FOI request, this Council urges the Secretary of State (Lisa Nandy), not withstanding the ongoing enquiry by the Charity Commission, to set up a full inquiry held in public into the collapse of the City of Coventry Culture Trust.”

The following debate was moved by Councillor T Sawdon and seconded by Councillor G Ridley:

"Given the information now available following the BBC's FOI request, this Council urges the Secretary of State (Lisa Nandy), not withstanding the ongoing enquiry by the Charity Commission, to set up a full inquiry held in public into the collapse of the City of Coventry Culture Trust. “

RESOLVED that the Motion as set out above be not adopted.

It was moved by Councillor G Ridley and seconded by Councillor J Blundell that a named vote be taken. The Councillors voting for and against the Recommendations were as follows:

For: 30

Against: 15

Abstain: 1

“Following the City Council’s research and investigations undertaken over eight years, this Council agrees to the principle of introducing selective licensing in Coventry to promote adequate standards of housing and property management in the private rented sector.

It will therefore take all necessary steps towards introducing appropriate special licensing schemes, aiming to cover a minimum of 16 wards in the city.

The forecast £35 million in licence fees over the minimum 5 year term of the schemes will fund proactive enforcement against landlords who fail to meet licensing standards. In this way the special licensing schemes will drive up standards of housing quality and property management, to the benefit of individuals and families who rely upon the private housing sector, to the benefit of their residential neighbours and to the betterment of the city’s housing stock which is a primary built asset of this city, needed to meet the core needs of city residents.”

The following debate was moved by Councillor J Gardiner and seconded by Councillor M Lapsa:

“Following the City Council’s research and investigations undertaken over eight years, this Council agrees to the principle of introducing selective licensing in Coventry to promote adequate standards of housing and property management in the private rented sector.

It will therefore take all necessary steps towards introducing appropriate special licensing schemes, aiming to cover a minimum of 16 wards in the city.

The forecast £35 million in licence fees over the minimum 5-year term of the schemes will fund proactive enforcement against landlords who fail to meet licensing standards. In this way the special licensing schemes will drive up standards of housing quality and property management, to the benefit of individuals and families who rely upon the private housing sector, to the benefit of their residential neighbours and to the betterment of the city’s housing stock which is a primary built asset of this city, needed to meet the core needs of city residents.”

The following amendment was moved by Councillor S Agboola, seconded by Councillor P Akhtar, and accepted by Councillor Gardiner thus becoming the substantive motion (in accordance with paragraph 15.1.7 of the Constitution):

That the Motion as set out as Item 16.2 on the agenda be amended as follows:-

Amend the first paragraph of the original Motion as follows:

Following the City Council’sThis Council notes that the City Council has undertaken extensive research and investigations undertaken over the past eight years into housing conditions, this Council agrees to the principle of introducing selective licensing in Coventry to promote adequate standards of housing and property management in the private rented sector.

The amended paragraph to read:

This Council notes that the City Council has undertaken extensive research and investigations  over the past eight years into housing conditions and property management within Coventry’s  private rented sector.

Delete the next two paragraphs of the original Motion and replace with the following:-

This Council further notes that an Additional Licensing scheme is already in operation in parts of the city and has been in place for several years to help drive up standards in the private rented sector.

While the Council recognises the principle that Selective Licensing can be an important tool in improving housing standards and tackling poor property management, this Council believes that any further licensing proposals must be based on clear evidence, a full evaluation of existing schemes, and proper consideration of national legislative changes.

Therefore, this Council resolves that any proposal to introduce Selective Licensing in Coventry will be subject to political approval and the presentation of a detailed report to Cabinet. This report will include a full evaluation of the current Additional Licensing scheme, which has been in operation for several years, and an assessment of the potential impact of the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Act on the private rented sector.

Subject to the outcome of this evaluation and Cabinet consideration, the Council will then consider whether the introduction of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

At this last meeting of the full Council of the 2025/26 municipal year, this Council notes the achievements that have been realised by consecutive Labour administrations in this City.

These administrations, through prudent and considered policies, have put the needs of Coventry residents first, despite 14 yrs of austerity embraced by the previous Tory Government.

We believe that policies that put our people first, no matter what their origins, their faith or no faith, their social class, their sexual orientation, or the colour of their skin, will continue to unite our diverse communities, and we look forward to many years of harmony and prosperity under a Labour Council and a Labour Government.

The following debate was moved by Councillor G Duggins and seconded by Councillor AS Khan:

At this last meeting of the full Council of the 2025/26 municipal year, this Council notes the achievements that have been realised by consecutive Labour administrations in this City.

These administrations, through prudent and considered policies, have put the needs of Coventry residents first, despite 14 yrs of austerity embraced by the previous Tory Government.

We believe that policies that put our people first, no matter what their origins, their faith or no faith, their social class, their sexual orientation, or the colour of their skin, will continue to unite our diverse communities, and we look forward to many years of harmony and prosperity under a Labour Council and a Labour Government.

RESOLVED that the Motion as set out above be adopted.