Issue - meetings

The corporate LGA Peer Review took place in July 2019. This review was undertaken by a team of Councillors and Senior Officers from local authorities across the UK who examined the four elements of a corporate peer review which looks at the Council’s leadership governance, financial planning and capacity to delivery.

Will Godfrey (Chief Executive) said that the LGA Peer Review process was really important for the Council to get some external perspective on how the organisation was performing.  There were some really strong and positive messages in the report about performance frameworks, Medium Term Financial Plan, and those were the issues that the Council should be focused on getting them right.  Will Godfrey also said that the Council should embrace positively the recommendations in the report over the next few months.

Councillor Dine Romero introduced the report by saying that she was grateful to have this review with this administration as a baseline to develop and build Council’s commitment to its residents, which includes better engagement with residents.  The action plan would need a proper ‘buy-in’ from officers of the Council and also from all elected Members of the Council.  The LGA Peer Review team identified quite a few strengths  which the Council can be proud of.  Councillor Romero thanked the LGA Team for their hard work for producing a fair assessment.

Councillor Dine Romero moved the recommendations.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the motion by saying that the LGA process had started over a decade ago, and it had become a real part of Local Government.  As a Council we should be proud that many of B&NES Councillors have become LGA Peer reviewers and have participated in reviews of other Councils. This reflected credit on all Councillors in B&NES.  Councillor Crossley highlighted the engagement of 3^rd sector and volunteers in everyday life of B&NES, such as litter picking and maintenance by Friends of Henrietta Park group.

Councillor Richard Samuel said that this was a good report with a message that this was a well-run Council although there were some areas where the Council could improve.  Councillor Samuel also said that it was always difficult when the administration of the Council change, and aspirations have to adjust, but many things continue to operate such as day to day services to residents.

Councillor Eleanor Jackson commented that residents suggested that Fix My Street did not work, and she asked if that could be looked at.

Councillor Neil Butters said Fix My Street issues had been picked up and it should be sorted shortly.

Councillor Dine Romero added that aspirations of the new administration would depend on available resources and funding.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed to:

2.1 Endorse the recommendations outlined in the LGA Peer Report and agree for the report and action plan to be published on the Councils Website;

2.2 Agree to receive a six monthly monitoring report on progress against the Action Plan as outlined in Annex B;

2.3 Agree to invite the LGA Peer Review team back or a follow up visit in the summer of 2020 to review progress.