Issue - meetings

That:

Policy and Resources Committee agree to the Corporate Peer Challenge Report.

That public access to the report be immediate.

That public access to the decision be immediate.

The Committee received a report presenting the findings of the Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge undertaken between 10 and 13 February 2026.

The Chief Executive advised that the Corporate Peer Challenge was a nationally recognized sector-led improvement process. Members were advised that the report reflected the findings of the peer team and could not be amended by the Council. An action plan responding to the recommendations would be developed and presented to a future meeting of the Committee.

Members discussed the composition of the peer review team and the conclusion reached within the report. Concerns were raised regarding the political balance of the peer team and whether some of the observations relating to Local Government Reorganisation and the Local Plan adequately reflected the Council’s position. Reference was also made to the value of member development and pre committee briefings, which had been identified within the report as an area for further consideration.

Other Members welcomed the findings of the review and noted that the report recognized a number of strengths within the Council, including partnership working, communications and organizational stability. The importance of developing a robust action plan to address the recommendations was acknowledged.

Councillor Giles-Medhurst proposed the recommendations in the report and was seconded by Councillor Price.

On being put the vote, the motion was declared CARRIED by the Chair, the voting being 9 votes For, 5 Against, and 1 Abstention.

RESOLVED:

That:

The Corporate Peer Challenge Report be agreed.

Public access to the report be immediate.

Public access to the decision be immediate.