Issue - meetings

1.    That the contents of the  Corporate Peer Challenge Review Feedback Letter as annexed to this report be noted

2.    That the publication of the Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge letter for the Council be approved.

Decision

1)    That the contents of the  Corporate Peer Challenge Review Feedback Letter as annexed to this report be noted

2)    That the publication of the Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge letter for the Council be approved.

Corporate objectives

The Corporate Peer Challenge is an opportunity for the Council to reflect on the services it delivers, how it works and the relationship it has with Members, residents and its wider stakeholder base.

Therefore, the findings and recommendations from the report will support the Council to better deliver all of its corporate objectives.  

Monitoring Officer:

The Peer Challenge feedback did not identify any areas of concern from a Monitoring Officer perspective.  It did, however, highlight areas for continued development, which will need to be progressed as identified in the report.

Deputy S.151 Officer

There are no direct financial implications of this decision and the report highlights the good financial management arrangements and leadership in place.

Any proposals put forward to address the recommendations will need to be either met from within existing approved budgets or will require growth bids for inclusion in the usual budget setting process.

Advice

Councillor Williams said that we would release the letter.  S Marshall confirmed we would publish the letter on the website and external sources.

Councillor Williams thought the report was good and said that he was pleased with the peer review findings.  There are a few bits and pieces for us to pick up on, but nothing major.

S Marshall advised that the report recognised the progress that has been made since the last review, including the strong financial base, progress on re-prioritisation of services, progress on economic development, enabling housing growth and partnerships have been strengthened. S Marshall also confirmed that in terms of leadership we are good ambassadors for the Council and where we could do more on the outward facing, which we will be the under New Normal programme, is empowering staff to release capacity within the workforce.  S Marshall highlighted that a summary of the report is included at 4.1 and said that overall it is a very good report.

Councillor Griffiths pointed out the need to be proactive in publicising the review outcome as it was very positive and we need to show staff that we appreciate them.  The public should also be aware of the findings and also we should email the report to our partners, involved residents, community centres etc.  

Councillor Elliot said that following on from Councillor Griffiths about publicising good news, he had just had his Portfolio Holder briefing and he was told that Housing Benefits had just had the best annual figures ever and they are pretty good at their job, we need to be more positive.

Cabinet agreed the recommendations in the report.