Summary of the peer challenge approach
The peer team
Peer challenges are delivered by experienced elected member and officer peers. The make-up of the peer team reflected the focus of the peer challenge and peers were selected on the basis of their relevant expertise. The peers were:
- Lead Officer Peer: Laura Taylor, Chief Executive, Winchester City Council
- Lead Member Peer: Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen, Leader, Breckland Council
- Senior Officer Peer: Tina Mustafa, Programme Director & Assistant Director Neighbourhoods, Tamworth Borough Council
- Senior Officer Peer: Cassandra Clements, Managing Director, East Suffolk Services Limited
- LGA Peer Challenge Manager: Aimee Wittams-Smith, Regional Adviser
- Daniella Howell – LGA Programme Support Officer
Scope and focus
The peer team considered the following five themes which form the core components of all Corporate Peer Challenges. These areas are critical to councils’ performance and improvement.
- Local priorities and outcomes - Are the council’s priorities clear and informed by the local context? Is the council delivering effectively on its priorities and achieving improved outcomes for all of its communities? How is the Council utilising its place partnerships to understand local priorities, both within and across boundaries; and how are place partnerships working together to deliver outcomes? What steps has the Council taken to mitigate the impact of the cost of living crisis on communities?
- Organisational and place leadership - Does the council provide effective local leadership? Are there good relationships with partner organisations and local communities? What role is the Council playing in shaping the future of public services across the system?
- Governance and culture - Are there clear and robust governance arrangements? Is there a culture of challenge and scrutiny?
- Financial planning and management - Does the council have a grip on its current financial position? Does the council have a strategy and a plan to address its financial challenges?
- Capacity for improvement - Is the organisation able to support delivery of local priorities? Does the council have the capacity to improve? Is the Council utilising partnerships to drive improvement? What programmes does the council have in train to ensure continual improvement is embedded?
The peer challenge process
Peer challenges are improvement focused; it is important to stress that this was not an inspection. The process is not designed to provide an in-depth or technical assessment of plans and proposals. The peer team used their experience and knowledge of local government to reflect on the information presented to them by people they met, things they saw and material that they read.
The peer team prepared by reviewing a range of documents and information in order to ensure they were familiar with the council and the challenges it is facing. The team then spent three and a half days onsite at Causeway House, during which they:
- Gathered information and views from 47 meetings, in addition to further research and reading.
- Spoke to 111 people including a range of council staff together with members and external stakeholders.
This report provides a summary of the peer team’s findings. In presenting feedback, they have done so as fellow local government officers and members.
