Coventry councillors back review aimed at ending Palantir contract

Coventry City Council has voted in favour of a motion calling for its contract with US technology company Palantir to be reviewed, with councillors seeking to end the agreement at the next lawful opportunity.

The motion, proposed by Green Party councillor Matt Greenhalgh, was approved by a single vote after councillors agreed an amendment that asks the council to publish the findings of a review into its use of Palantir’s software, explain how the platform is currently being used and consider alternative suppliers.

Coventry City Council uses Palantir’s software to transcribe social worker case notes, verify documents submitted by residents applying for financial support, and support adult and children’s services.

The motion also asks the council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance and Resources, Councillor Richard Brown, to report on the practicalities of ending the current contract at the next lawful opportunity.

Greenhalgh told councillors he was concerned about the company’s access to sensitive council data and the potential for long-term dependence on a proprietary software platform.

He said: “What we should also do is look at the potential long-term consequences of locking ourselves into a platform. Once you have proprietary technology that you use and you continue to use, you can’t get out.”

Conservative and Reform councillors opposed the motion, arguing the software had already undergone procurement scrutiny and was delivering operational benefits.

Councillor Frank Beechey said: “So, my belief is, what we should judge Palantir on is what they do for us. We’re just into our second year with them, and we have a fantastic deal. The cost of the service they provide us is we pay far less than what we’re getting in return.”

Beechey added that staff using the platform within children’s services had reported that it reduced administrative work and allowed them to spend more time supporting residents.

Responding on behalf of the council, Councillor Richard Brown said the authority had entered the contract following a proof-of-concept programme during 2024.

He said: “Everything is built to what we want and our standards. It’s important to understand that Palantir operates under strict data agreements. Coventry’s data stays in UK storage with encryption. No data is shared or used outside the control or scope of this council. And there is no evidence of any Palantir data breaches.”

The council’s agreement with Palantir began in February 2025 and is structured as a series of annual contracts with break points each year, for a maximum term of five years. The original contract was awarded through the Crown Commercial Services framework with an initial value of £500,000.

The motion was approved by 26 votes to 25.