Issue - meetings

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

It was RESOLVED that the Local Government Association’s feedback report as presented in Appendix A be accepted.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Business and Growth, Councillor Brennan, presented the report of the Chief Executive, outlining the Local Government Association (LGA) Peer Challenge progress review, following the examination in January 2024.

Councillor Brennan thanked members of the Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) team for their constructive and challenging visit and the positive way that they engaged with everyone. Councillor Brennan confirmed that the Council had completed or progressed all nine core recommendations made, details of which were highlighted in Paragraph 4.4 and Appendix A to the report. Cabinet noted that the CPC feedback to the Council’s follow-up work had been very positive, recognising the speed and breadth of the Council’s response, with that feedback detailed in Paragraph 4.8 and Appendix A. Councillor Brennan referred to Paragraph 4.9, which outlined comments on the other recommendations. The Council was very pleased to see the recognition by the CPC team regarding progress made, and the Council’s willingness to embrace change and improvement, together with recognition for the hard working staff, and Councillor Brennan added her thanks. It was recognised that improvement was a continuous process and the Council would continue to look at the additional observations that were made.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Upton referred to the benefits of this review, as it was a highly valued improvement and assurance tool, which helped councils to meet their best value duty.   

Councillor J Wheeler stated that it was good to see that the CPC team had acknowledged improvements to the training programme for Councillors.

Councillor Virdi stated that progress had been made due to the great relationship between Councillors and the Executive Management Team.

It was RESOLVED that the Local Government Association’s feedback report as presented in Appendix A to the report be accepted.