Issue - meetings
CORPORATE PEER CHALLENGE REPORT
Meeting: 14/01/2025 - Cabinet (Item 89)
89 CORPORATE PEER CHALLENGE REPORT 
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REPORT OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR
The Council recently undertook a Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) between 4 and 7 November 2024, where we were visited by a peer team supported by the Local Government Association. The peer team met with a large number of staff and councillors, as well as external stakeholders such as contractual partners, neighbouring authorities and members of our community. The peer team has produced a feedback report, which is attached at Appendix A.
Additional documents:
Decision:
RESOLVED: That Cabinet:
(1) Noted the content of the Corporate Peer Challenge report and its recommendations.
(2) Requested that the Managing Director, Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader develop an action plan responding to the recommendations in the Corporate Peer Challenge report, to be reported to Cabinet on 18 March 2025.
REASON FOR DECISIONS: To ensure that the Council responds to the matters identified within the CPC report, ensuring that the benefits of the CPC process are realised.
Minutes:
Audio recording – 25 minutes 12 seconds
Councillor Daniel Allen, as Leader of the Council, advised that the Council had recently undertaken a Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) between 4 and 7 November 2024 and invited the Managing Director to present the feedback report.
The Managing Director presented the reported entitled ‘Corporate Peer Challenge Report’ and advised that:
· The Council had been visited by a peer team supported by the Local Government Association (LGA) in November 2024 and produced a feedback report which was attached at Appendix A.
· The feedback report highlighted areas where the Council performed well and areas where there could be improvement.
· It had been useful to receive this outside perspective of the Council.
· This report was required to be published within three months and no later than 7 February 2025.
· A website page would be created with the background document produced for the peer team, the feedback report and the action plan when it had been compiled.
· The Council was required to produce an action plan with recommendations for improvement within 5 months and no later than 4 April 2025.
· Approval for development of this action plan was being requested between the Managing Director, the Leader and the Deputy Leader of the Council, reporting back to Cabinet in March 2025.
· Then the LGA would meet with the Council for a progress review where some of the peer team would come back for a meeting at a date to be confirmed.
The following Members took part in the debate:
· Councillor Ian Albert
· Councillor Daniel Allen
Points raised during the debate included:
· How useful the discussion sessions within departments had been and were a valuable way of exploring thoughts and of ideas.
· There was positive feedback in the report of the services provided by the Council to residents and this reflected a happy and supported workforce.
· The need to ensure the right balance between the Council Delivery Plan and the financial capability of the Council.
· The importance having correct project management in place.
· Appreciation for all the work of the peer teem and all staff.
Councillor Daniel Allen proposed and Councillor Val Bryant seconded and, following a vote, it was:
RESOLVED: That Cabinet:
(1) Noted the content of the Corporate Peer Challenge report and its recommendations.
(2) Requested that the Managing Director, Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader develop an action plan responding to the recommendations in the Corporate Peer Challenge report, to be reported to Cabinet on 18 March 2025.
REASON FOR DECISIONS: To ensure that the Council responds to the matters identified within the CPC report, ensuring that the benefits of the CPC process are realised.