Decision details
LGA Corporate Peer Challenge Progress Review
Decision Maker: Cabinet, Council
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
To Update Cabinet on the outcome of the LGA
Peer Challenge Progress Review held in November 2024.
Decisions:
The purpose of the report was to consider the Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge Progress Report 2024.
Councillor Mike Evemy introduced the report which was for noting.
Cabinet considered the follow-up report from the Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge review, which took place in November 2024, as a follow-up to the original LGA Peer Challenge conducted in October 2022. It was noted that the follow-up had been delayed to allow assessment of changes made after the first phase of the Publica transition to be taken into account. The report was broadly positive, recognising significant progress made by the Council in response to earlier recommendations; particularly in strengthening governance arrangements and enhancing the role and effectiveness of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, under the leadership of the current Chair.
It was noted that the peer team also reviewed financial governance during the transition, led by the former portfolio holder, Councillor Mike Evemy, and the Deputy Chief Executive, and provided advice on the second phase of the Publica transition. Cabinet welcomed the staff who formally joined the Council’s employment on 1 July 2025 as part of this second phase.
The report also referenced the need to consider organisational change in the context of potential local government reorganisation (LGR). The importance of organisational culture was highlighted, as was ongoing work on a new People and Culture Strategy. It was noted that the report would be presented for full discussion at Council the following week, and no decision was required at this meeting.
It was observed that the Overview and Scrutiny function had significantly improved in recent years, noting a marked contrast with its effectiveness a decade ago. The current Chair of Overview and Scrutiny, Councillor Gina Blomefield, was praised for their integral role in this progress and the positive impact of the constitutional provision allowing the opposition to hold the position was acknowledged. The contribution of the former Vice Chair, Gary Selwyn, was also recognised, highlighting the strength of the cross-party leadership.
RESOLVED that Cabinet NOTED the report.
Report author: Robert Weaver
Publication date: 14/07/2025
Date of decision: 10/07/2025
Decided at meeting: 10/07/2025 - Cabinet
Accompanying Documents:
PDF 1 MB