Issue - meetings

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)               the LGA’s feedback report as detailed in Appendix A to the report be accepted; and

b)               the Council’s action plan and response to the recommendations as detailed in Appendix B to the report be accepted.

The Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough-wide Leadership, Councillor Clarke presented the report of the Chief Executive, outlining the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge Feedback Report and the Council’s initial response to those recommendations, together with the resulting action plan. 

The Leader stated that the Peer Challenge process should be valued by councils, as it shared experiences from its peers, to identify, where necessary, any possible improvements that could be made.  The Leader advised that many interviews had taken place, and that had led to the production of a very supportive and complimentary Feedback Report, which in particular had complimented the effective management of the Council’s finances.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Brennan welcomed this positive report, and stated that it was interesting to note the suggested areas for development and improvement.  It was also particularly satisfying that the collective efforts of both Councillors and officers in creating a Council that could deliver on its priorities and strategies had been recognised.  Councillor Brennan thought that the process had been very helpful in providing opportunities to explore in depth how the Council delivered its priorities and how it could improve going forward.  She was particularly keen on the team recognising the Council’s strategic and place leadership in respect of working and influencing partners, as even with relatively small resources, Rushcliffe had a credibility to bring partners along and to help shape their policies for the benefit of the Borough.  The Peer team had also acknowledged new innovations, such as the Economic Development Strategy, and how that could bring investment into the Borough.  Councillor Brennan stated that the process had highlighted that Rushcliffe was a well performing Council and had given it plenty of things to think about going forward.

Councillor J Wheeler welcomed this positive report, stated that the Peer Challenge team had been invited by the Council, and referred to the importance of having external reviews.  The report highlighted all the good work being done by officers and Councillors, and although it was known that Rushcliffe was a very well run Council, having being shortlisted last year for Council of the Year, it was always good to look at ways to improve.  Councillor Wheeler welcomed the action plan and referred specifically to the importance of training and advised that this would continue to be a priority.

Councillor Upton welcomed this excellent report, which the Council should be proud of.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)               the LGA’s feedback report as detailed in Appendix A to the report be accepted; and

b)               the Council’s action plan and response to the recommendations as detailed in Appendix B to the report be accepted.