We invited the Local Government Association (LGA) to carry out a Corporate Peer Challenge for the Council in July 2024.
A Corporate Peer Challenge is not an inspection, but a way for councils to share best practice and experience, as well as to provide renewed focus. They can help councils identify areas for improvement, or endorse areas they are already working on.
The peer team, made up of experienced senior officers and councillors from other councils across the country, considered the following five themes, which form the core components of all challenges and are all critical to councils' performance and improvement:
1. Local priorities and outcomes.
2. Organisational and place leadership.
3. Governance and culture.
4. Financial planning and management.
5. Capacity for improvement.
Within these five priorities, we asked the peer team to focus on finance, transformation, governance and communications.
The team reviewed a range of information and evidence to ensure they were familiar with the Council, the challenges it faces and future plans. During their time on-site the team spoke to over 140 people in more than 40 meetings, including councillors, staff and external partners.
The final report outlines the key findings of the peer team and the recommendations the Council is required to action.
Final report
LGA’s Feedback Report.
Action plan
We are preparing an action plan in response to the LGA’s recommendations and will publish this by 17 December 2024.
Follow up
There will be a follow-up visit by the LGA within 12 months of the Peer Challenge to assess the progress we have made.