‘Well-respected and high-performing’: Local Government Association gives positive review of city council
A recent peer review of Winchester City Council by the Local Government Association found the local authority to be a well-respected and high-performing organisation with a record of strong service delivery.
All councils across the country are encouraged to take part in a Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) to provide robust and credible challenge to support councils.
In July this year, the city council invited a peer team to provide external feedback on how it was performing and how it could improve. For two and a half days the peer team, made up of councillors and officers from other councils, spent time with the city council taking a deep dive into how it’s run.
The review examined five key areas, including the council’s local priorities and outcomes, its governance and culture, and its financial planning and management, with the peer team conducting a review of evidence that included analysing data, interviewing staff and councillors and speaking to key partners.
In its feedback report, the CPC stated that the city council was a “well-respected and high-performing council, delivering for residents and partners”. The report continued: “The peer team heard positive feedback regarding the council’s performance and was satisfied that the city council is well-managed and benefits from a Leader and Chief Executive who are respected by staff, members and external stakeholders”.
The report also highlighted a number of other areas of positive action from the city council, including its prudent financial management, the work it is doing to address climate change and its efforts to consult and engage with residents on important decisions.
Speaking about the review, City Council Leader Cllr Martin Tod said:
"It's been very helpful to have people from other Councils and from the Local Government Association come in and review what we're doing. It's a really positive and helpful process and a very encouraging report. We are always looking for ways to improve how we serve our area's residents and communities, so the recommendations are welcome. We'll be acting on them and look forward to welcoming the team back next year to review our progress".
Nine recommendations were included in the report to help the council address future challenges, realise efficiencies and improve services, each of which have been addressed in a high-level action plan subsequently produced by the city council.
The full feedback report, and Winchester City Council’s action plan, can be read on our website: https://www.winchester.gov.uk/about/corporate-peer-challenge