Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council sharing the report and recommendations resulting from the Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) undertaken in November 2022 and seeking the publication of the Council’s response in the form of an Action Plan.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  the Corporate Peer Challenge report and recommendations is welcomed

(2)  the report is circulated to Members, officers and partners involved in the Corporate Peer Challenge and made available to the public via the council’s website.

(3)  the Action Plan prepared in response to the recommendations is approved.

Cabinet considered the report of the Leader of the Council that shared the report and recommendations resulting from the Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) undertaken in November 2022 and sought the publication of the Council’s response in the form of an Action Plan.

The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources highlighted the key features of the report including the positive comments on the Council’s organisational and place leadership (Appendix 1 4.2).  She drew Members’ attention to the challenges and recommendations addressed in the action plan (Appendix 2).  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources expressed gratitude to the Senior Management Team, Corporate Support officers and everyone who had been interviewed by the peer team.  She commented that Members should be proud of the peers’ conclusions.

The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure noted that the report helped give residents confidence that their money was being well spent and that it was a compliment to both officers and the administration.  The Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Strategy emphasised the reported strength of creative work being undertaken within the authority.  She took the opportunity to thank officers, especially the IT teams, and those within her own portfolio for their achievements despite recent challenges.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods stated that the Council was fortunate to have such passionate and well-led staff.  He informed Members that he looked forward to the planned improvements in communication (Appendix 2 No.2) as people needed to be aware of the Council’s successes.  The Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources advised that she and the Managing Director had already started work on a strategy to drive outcomes in this area.

RESOLVED that:

(1)       the Corporate Peer Challenge report and recommendations is welcomed

(2)       the report is circulated to Members, officers and partners involved in the Corporate Peer Challenge and made available to the public via the council’s website.

(3)       the Action Plan prepared in response to the recommendations is approved.