Report of Chief Executive.

This matter is an urgent item to allow for the Corporate Peer Challenge Officer Programme meeting on 22^nd March to continue, and for initial Working Parties to go ahead by the end of March. It also allows for sufficient progress to be made in further developing plans so that the Council can benefit from the learning and improvement at the earliest stage, and to demonstrate progress to the LGA.

Prior to consideration of this matter, the Leader of the Council advised that it would be taken as an urgent item to allow for the Corporate Peer Challenge Officer Programme meeting on 22^nd March 2023 to continue and allow for sufficient progress to be made in further developing plans so that the Council can benefit from the learning and improvement at the earliest stage. and to demonstrate progress to the LGA when they return in August.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive presenting additional information concerning the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge report and draft action plan, which had been referred back by the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 15^th March 2023, and to provide responses to questions raised at the Scrutiny Committee.

On consideration of the matter the Leader of the Council confirmed that meetings of the Corporate Matters and Performance Delivery Working Party would be arranged so that the Working Party can review and have input into the development of the action plan.

Resolved:

1. That the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge findings and the nine recommendations, be noted.

2. That, subject to further consideration by the Corporate Matters and Performance Delivery Working Party, the steps to address the LGA’s recommendations, as set out in the Action Plan at Appendix 1 to the submitted report to Cabinet held on 21^st February 2023, be approved.

Reasons for decision:

The LGA’s Corporate Peer Challenge process independently validated the challenges that the Council faces.  The recommendations provide the Council with an improvement focussed and tailored response to its needs.  The recommendations further complement and add value to the Council’s own performance and improvement plans.

Other options:

None

Note: This is an Executive Function

Not eligible for call-in as the matter has already been the subject of call-in by the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee.

Cabinet Member: Cllr George

and for initial meetings of the Corporate Matters and Performance Delivery Working Party to go ahead by the end of March.