The 4 priorities at a glance
Every indicator behind this page is reported in full in the technical report. This page exists to answer 1 question at a time: is each priority on track, and what's the headline story behind the numbers?
- 88 indicators tracked
- 62% improved or held steady
- 68% on or above target
- 4 city priorities
Priority 1: Increasing economic prosperity
A resilient economy, but growth isn't reaching everyone yet.
Business closures fell sharply and tourism hit a third record year — but unemployment is rising and now sits well above the national rate.
Six of 12 indicators on target.
Priority 2: Reducing inequalities
Our strongest results this year — with real gaps still to close.
Children's Services rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted, crime down nearly 8% — but child poverty and deprivation remain stubbornly above the national picture.
Twelve of 18 indicators on target.
Priority 3: Tackling climate change
Independently recognised progress on climate; road safety needs focus.
Our climate score improved from B to A globally, and EV charging use is up 70% — but pedestrian casualties rose and need attention.
Thirteen of 18 indicators on target.
Priority 4: Financial sustainability
A council managing its money well, with collection rates to improve.
Delivered a bigger underspend than last year and a balanced budget for 2026/27 — though business rates and council tax collection remain below target.
Fourteen of 18 indicators on target
Priority 1: Increasing economic prosperity
A resilient economy, but growth isn't reaching everyone yet
Coventry's economy held up well this year. Fewer businesses closed than last year, and those that opened are more likely to survive their first 12 months. The visitor economy passed £923 million – a third consecutive record year – and the city centre earned its first Purple Flag award for being a safe, vibrant place to spend an evening.
The picture is less positive on jobs. Unemployment has climbed to 7.1%, well above the England average of 4.5%, and the resident employment rate has fallen. This mirrors national economic pressure, but it's the area where residents will feel the least progress.
Job Shop – Jannat's story
Jannat moved to Coventry with 2 master's degrees in finance and struggled to translate that into a UK role. Support from the Job Shop – CV coaching, mock interviews and local connections – led to her first UK job as a Learning Support Assistant, with a longer-term goal of moving into teaching.
Key figures
|
Indicator |
This year vs last year |
Status |
|---|---|---|
|
Businesses closed |
1,885 → 1,370 |
On target |
|
New business survival (12 months) |
88.4% → 89.3% |
On target |
|
Unemployment |
4.8% → 7.1% |
Off target |
|
New homes with planning permission (10yr) |
11,800 |
On target |
In simple terms: the city's businesses and visitor economy are getting stronger, but that hasn't yet translated into enough new local jobs.
Full detail (all indicators for this priority, with regional comparisons) is in the full One Coventry Plan annual performance report (April 2025 to March 2026) report [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/performance-1/one-coventry-plan-annual-performance-report-2025-26].
Priority 2: Reducing inequalities
Our strongest results this year, with real gaps still to close
This priority produced some of the year's best news. Children's Services received an 'outstanding' rating from Ofsted, and Adult Social Care was rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission — both reflecting strong practice and leadership across the city. Recorded crime fell by nearly 8%, and homelessness prevention improved, with 52% of at-risk households helped to keep or find a home.
Deprivation remains deep in parts of the city. Child poverty sits above the national average, and inequalities in health, education and employment are stark in some neighbourhoods. The £20 million, 10-year Pride in Place programme in Willenhall, Tile Hill and Hillfields is a long-term response to this.
Supporting a couple living with Dementia
Mr and Mrs P, both living with dementia, needed coordinated support to stay safely at home together. A multi-disciplinary team (social work, occupational therapy, community nursing and medical professionals) worked together to manage risk while keeping both individuals' wishes central to every decision.
Key figures
|
Indicator |
This year vs last year |
Status |
|---|---|---|
|
Children's Services (Ofsted) |
Outstanding |
On target |
|
Adult Social Care (CQC) |
Good |
On target |
|
Recorded crime |
35,793 → 33,046 |
On target |
|
Children in relative low income |
25.2% → 25.5% |
Off target |
In plain terms: the city is getting real results for children and community safety, but poverty in our most deprived neighbourhoods hasn't improved and remains the priority for the next phase.
Full detail (all indicators for this priority, with regional comparisons) is in the full One Coventry Plan annual performance report (April 2025 to March 2026) report [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/performance-1/one-coventry-plan-annual-performance-report-2025-26].
Priority 3: Tackling climate change
Independently recognised progress on climate; road safety needs focus
Coventry's Carbon Disclosure Project score improved from B to A, placing the city among the top performers globally on climate action. Electric vehicle charging points grew to 2,602, with usage up more than 70%, and household recycling rose to 34.2% – above the regional average. Roads remain among the best maintained in England.
Not every trend moved the right way. Pedestrian road casualties rose this year, and the number of zero-carbon council vehicles fell slightly. Funding for some environmental technology and business carbon advice also declined, largely due to changes in national funding.
Key figures
|
Indicator |
This year vs last year |
Status |
|---|---|---|
|
Carbon Disclosure Project score |
B → A |
On target |
|
EV charging point usage |
+70% |
On target |
|
Household recycling |
32.0% → 34.2% |
On target |
|
Pedestrian road casualties |
98 → 162 |
Off target |
In plain terms: the city's climate credentials are genuinely improving and independently recognised, but road safety for pedestrians has got worse and needs a focused response.
Full detail (all indicators for this priority, with regional comparisons) is in the full One Coventry Plan annual performance report (April 2025 to March 2026) report [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/performance-1/one-coventry-plan-annual-performance-report-2025-26].
Priority 4: Financial sustainability
A Council managing its money well, with collection rates to improve
Against a difficult national backdrop for local government, Coventry delivered a £3.2 million underspend this year – better than last year's position – and a balanced budget for 2026 to 2027, with a projected surplus for the 2 years after that. Savings delivery improved to 84%, up from 73%.
The workforce is becoming more representative of the city, with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic representation up to 26.1% and disability disclosure up to 8.6%. Agency staff spend fell by almost £2.7 million. Business rates and council tax collection rates, however, remain below target and are a continued area of focus.
Key figures
|
Indicator |
This year vs last year |
Status |
|---|---|---|
|
Budget position |
£1.8m → £3.2m underspend |
On target |
|
Savings delivered |
73% → 84% |
On target |
|
Council tax collection rate |
93.4%, target 94% |
Off target |
|
Agency staff spend |
-£2.7m |
On target |
In plain terms: the council's finances are on a sound footing and its workforce is becoming more representative of the city – collecting the money it's owed is the main thing still to fix.
Full detail (all indicators for this priority, with regional comparisons) is in the full One Coventry Plan annual performance report (April 2025 to March 2026) report [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/performance-1/one-coventry-plan-annual-performance-report-2025-26].