Issue - meetings

To consider the draft action plan, reflecting the feedback and recommendations from the Local Government Association’s Corporate Peer Challenge that took place in July 2025.

Cllr Sarah Warren, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Bath and North East Somerset, introduced the item, moved the officer recommendation and made the following points:

·  The Council went through a thorough peer review by the Local Government Association in July this year.  This was its first review since 2019.

·  The Council was assessed against five criteria:

o  Local priorities and outcomes

o  Organisational and place leadership

o  Governance and culture

o  Financial planning and management

o  Capacity for improvement

·  The results of the Peer Review highlighted our strong leadership, outward-looking approach, and commitment to making a genuine difference. We can all be proud that B&NES Council has been recognised for excellence across a wide range of services following the review.

·  It also identifies areas where we can go further—particularly in tackling local inequalities and strengthening strategic planning. These are important challenges, and we welcome the opportunity to improve.

·  The draft action plan recommends eight actions to undertake within a specific timeframe and some of these actions are already underway.

Cllr Manda Rigby seconded the proposal and made the following points:

·  The Council should be proud of the outcome of the peer review.  However, there is no room for complacency, and we can always strive to do things better.

·  A key theme that came through was the need to address more publicly some of the inequalities in the district.  There are many ways in which we seek to address inequalities, but they haven’t been consolidated into an overall plan which we have been able to communicate.

·  As a mature administration we should not be fearful of outside scrutiny from a critical friend team or of embracing their recommendations.

Cllr Kevin Guy thanked the peer review team for their comprehensive report and stated that they would be welcomed back next year for the follow up visit.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

(1)  To approve the draft action plan.

(2)  To agree to a follow up visit in Summer 2026 to help the council assess the impact of the peer challenge and demonstrate the progress made in response to the review’s recommendations.