Council Peer Review

'Stratford-on-Avon District Council is a much improved authority.'

'It provides many good Services.'

' Stratford-on-Avon is not a council which is resting on its laurels.'

These are just some of the comments following the District Council's recent Peer Review and the publishing of the final report going to The Cabinet on Monday 4 October.

The District Council commissioned the Local Government Improvement and Development Agency to undertake a Peer Review and the team was onsite from 20 to 23 July 2010.

The members of the peer review team were:

• Peter Simpson, Chief Executive, Hambleton and Richmondshire District Councils
• William Nunn, Leader, Breckland District Council
• David Covill, Director of Resources, Crawley Borough Council
• Alex Sutcliffe, Executive Assistant, Hambleton / Richmondshire District Councils
• David Armin, LG Improvement and Development Review Manager

During the 4-day visit, the review team met with and talked to a cross-section of elected Members and staff within the Council and also with representatives of partner organisations and the general public.

Cllr Stephen Gray, Leader says: "There is considerable change in local government and most local authorities are trying to work out how best to respond. The aim of the Local Government Peer Review Programme is to help councils to assess their current achievements and to identify those areas in which they are doing well and those where they need to do better.

"As a new Leader, I have found the whole review extremely helpful. It is clear that there are areas where we need to focus in order to deliver benefits and deal with future challenges, which I take on board.

"I particularly accept the need to be clear about the Council's direction and plans as well as the importance of our work with Warwick District Council. It is interesting that the review team also picked up on the detrimental impact adverse press coverage can have, I will look closely at their advice.

"The review finds both Strengths as well as Areas for Consideration. I'm sure some people will see only weaknesses in the report, let's not forget the many good points they found or that they recognised Stratford as the 10^th best place to live in England."