Executive summary
Overall summary
The One Coventry Plan is currently measured using 75 indicators, of which 39 indicators improved; 11 stayed the same; 13 indicators got worse; can’t say for 10 indicators (for example a higher number of domestic abuse offences reported may indicate an increase in cases, but may also reflect better reporting and awareness); and progress is not available for 2 indicators (the overall satisfaction of carers with social services indicator and the breastfeeding rates at 6-8 weeks indicator).
This means, at the end of year, 79% (50/63) of directional indicators (excluding cannot say or not available) improved or stayed the same. This compares to 78% (52/67) in 2018/19, 71% (42/59) in 2017/18 and 75% (43/57) in 2016/17.
Globally connected: promoting the growth of a sustainable Coventry economy
In 2019/20, the city faced significant headwinds from a challenging national and international economic climate. While the city’s gross value added per head remains higher than the average for metropolitan areas, the rate of economic growth has slowed significantly, even before taking into account the effects of COVID-19 and the associated lockdown. The number of enterprises in the city, and business rates rateable value have remained static; and while the overall employment rate (pre-Covid) is up, unemployment has also increased. This has had an effect on the performance of the city centre, with a decrease in footfall – though not by as much as the national position.
Additionally, the city continues to attract new residents, as seen by the increase in the number of domestic properties, particularly larger properties attracting a higher rate of Council tax. The Council is currently delivering significant investments in infrastructure and connectivity including Friargate, City Centre South, Coventry Railway Station, Very Light Rail; attracting events and interest into the city from European City of Sport (2019) to UK City of Culture (2021) to being a Commonwealth Games (2022) host city
In 2019/20, the city faced significant headwinds from a challenging national and international economic climate. While the city’s gross value added per head remains higher than the average for metropolitan areas, the rate of economic growth has slowed significantly, even before taking into account the effects of COVID-19 and the associated lockdown. The number of enterprises in the city, and business rates rateable value have remained static; and while the overall employment rate (pre-Covid) is up, unemployment has also increased. This has had an effect on the performance of the city centre, with a decrease in footfall – though not by as much as the national position.
Additionally, the city continues to attract new residents, as seen by the increase in the number of domestic properties, particularly larger properties attracting a higher rate of Council tax. The Council is currently delivering significant investments in infrastructure and connectivity including Friargate, City Centre South, Coventry Railway Station, Very Light Rail; attracting events and interest into the city from European City of Sport (2019) to UK City of Culture (2021) to being a Commonwealth Games (2022) host city.
Locally committed: improving the quality of life for Coventry people
Despite the evident challenges, the Council has maintained its performance across a number of service areas. Roads and pavements have continued to be maintained at a similar standard to previous years; while the standard of overall city cleanliness has been maintained despite yet another increase in the level of fly-tipping in the city.
The city’s continued investment into early intervention and in taking a One Coventry partnership approach to working with partner organisations have paid dividends – with more of the city’s five-year-olds achieving a good level of development, though challenges remain in reducing the gap between the most and least deprived parts of the city. This has also had an effect on children’s social care, as early intervention has helped reduce the number of re-referrals into children’s social care, although challenges remain with the number of looked after children. Meanwhile, in education, most attainment measures have seen improvement though there have been some decreases against progress measures.
The city continues to face a multitude of challenges: mirroring national and regional trends, reported crime has increased – though not by as much as other cities in the region. In adult social care, the numbers of people in long-term support has increased, though this is mainly bringing the city closer to regional/national trends, and levels of satisfactions have been maintained.
Delivering our priorities with fewer resources
Looking ahead, COVID-19 is likely to have a significant effect on residents’ wellbeing and on the city’s economic vitality. The city has adopted a “One Coventry” approach to reset and recovery, including critical analysis of how to deliver some of its own services in the future and working with communities and businesses towards regenerating the economy. Significant difficulties lie ahead in the form of COVID-19 issues and the response to these uncertainty in future local government funding, the lack of clarity on Brexit post-December 2020, a global economic downturn and the climate emergency. Taken together this means that the Council will continue to face major challenges in the years ahead.