Corporate Peer Challenge

Corporate Peer Challenges are delivered free of charge by the LGA as part of their sector-led improvement programme.  

They are available to all English councils and involve a diverse team of experienced peers comprising of senior local government councillors and officers. 

Peers undertake a full review of key finance, performance and governance information and then spend up to four days at a council to provide robust, strategic, and credible challenge and support across five key areas:

• Local priorities and outcomes
• Organisational and place leadership
• Governance and culture
• Financial planning and management
• Capacity for improvement

CPCs are not a form of inspection and do not rank or score a council in any way.  

We produced a Position Statement document to provide background and context for the Peer Team before their arrival.  This is available in the 'Documents' section below. 

The Peer Team was made up of seven councillors and senior officers from local authorities across the country:

• Lead Officer Peer:  Stuart Bobby, Chief Executive, Gravesham Borough Council
• Lead Member Peer: Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Leader, Bury Council
• Cllr Brian Milnes, Deputy Leader, South Cambs District Council
• Steve Mullineaux, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Customer Service Delivery, South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council
• Jackie Smith, Corporate Director, Chief Operating Officer, South Staffordshire Borough Council
• Helen Gretton, Head of Transformation, Strategy and Performance, Charnwood Borough Council
• Chris Bowron, LGA Peer Challenge Manager

Following their visit, the Peer Team compiled a comprehensive feedback report.  They were keen to thank everyone involved and commented on the palpable commitment of both offices and members to make a difference in our community.  

The report includes ten recommendations, reflecting areas for improvement.  We have produced an action plan which sets out how we will respond to each of them.  The Action Plan was agreed by Cabinet in January 2025.  They will also retain oversight of its implementation. 

A full copy of both the CPC Report and the Action Plan can be found in the 'Documents' section below. 

The Peer Team will return for a shorter visit to check on our progress against the recommendations and an update report will be published at the end of 2024.