The Chief Executive has submitted a report to update members on the key scope, process and recommendations from the July 2023 Peer Review Team and to outline the future Action Plan.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.        Note the Local Government Peer Challenge Feedback report of July 2023; and

2.        Note the recommendations from the Peer Review Team and that the Chief Executive has already commenced action planning to address these.

The Chief Executive had submitted a report to update members on the key scope, process and recommendations from the July 2023 Peer Review Team and to outline the future Action Plan.

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader and Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy and Partnerships commented that the peer review had been a helpful process which had been reassuring in many aspects but had also involved challenge.  Ten recommendations had been made, which were set out in the report.  Work had already started on a number of these, and an action plan was being developed proactively by the Corporate Management Team and was expected to be brought to Cabinet in December.  This would include commentary on areas which it was felt hadn’t been properly communicated at the time of the peer review.  A progress review would be undertaken by the LGA in March and April of 2024.

A Cabinet Member commented that the LGA’s compressed timescale for progress reporting and review meant that the impact of actions against some of the recommendations (for example, training for new Councillors) may not be able to be fully assessed at that time.  It was agreed that it would be helpful to have a further update to Cabinet in a year’s time, to allow for a fuller internal review of progress.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.        Note the Local Government Peer Challenge Feedback report of July 2023; and

2.        Note the recommendations from the Peer Review Team and that the Chief Executive has already commenced action planning to address these.