Issue - meetings

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)               the content of the report, outlining the Council’s participation in a Corporate Peer Challenge be noted;

b)               Cabinet commits to meeting the obligations, as set out in paragraph 4.6 of the report; and

c)                A report be brought back to Cabinet, following the conclusion of the Corporate Peer Challenge, which sets out the findings, recommendations and resulting action plan.   

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Business and Growth, Councillor Brennan presented the report of the Chief Executive, which outlined the purpose and scope of the Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC), due to take place from 15 – 18 January 2024.  

Councillor Brennan advised that the CPC was part of the LGA sector support programme, which provided ‘peers’ from the local government network who offered supportive, friendly, but critical advice to the Council and its work.  Cabinet noted the obligations that would be placed on the Council as part of the process and was reminded that the CPC was considered to be a valuable tool, by providing expert advice to help identify areas for improvement and help the Council to continue to deliver high quality services.  Councillor Brennan stated that the process was set out in Paragraph 4 of the report, with details of the likely membership of the team highlighted in Paragraph 4.3, together with details of the six core themes that would be covered in Paragraph 4.4.  Councillor Brennan stated that at the end of the visit, Councillors and officers would receive a presentation, with a report to follow, which the Council had to commit to publish, together with a detailed action plan, with a report back to Cabinet, as referred to in Paragraph 4.6.  Councillor Brennan concluded by advising that this was designed to be a helpful and supportive process, whilst offering robust challenge and independent advice.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor J Wheeler welcomed this outside scrutiny, as although it was known that Rushcliffe was run very effectively, it was always good to have advice and feedback and for the Council to be challenged, to ensure that it was on the correct course.

Councillor Upton noted that it had been six years since the last CPC, echoed the comments made by Councillor Wheeler, and stated that it was best practice to seek advice from people outside of the Council as a critical friend.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)               the content of the report, outlining the Council’s participation in a Corporate Peer Challenge be noted;

b)               Cabinet commits to meeting the obligations, as set out in paragraph 4.6 of the report; and

c)                A report be brought back to Cabinet, following the conclusion of the Corporate Peer Challenge, which sets out the findings, recommendations and resulting action plan.