Council receives positive peer review feedback

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has received extremely positive feedback following a recent independent peer review.

The District Council participated in a Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) with the aim of further improving the council's work.

The review, which is offered to all local authorities by the Local Government Association (LGA), took place in March 2024 and included a three-day site visit.

The independent CPC report published as part of this week's Cabinet agenda, found the District Council to be 'well-run and recognises its challenges and is ambitious for the future of the District' and 'in a stable financial position and has used the recent budget to support its priority areas'.

The peer team found that overall there had been a smooth transition to the new Liberal Democrat led administration after the elections in May last year. The report noted that there are generally good relationships across the Council, having invested time and effort developing these productive relationships.

The team were also impressed with what has been achieved in the waste service, demonstrating effective delivery; the transformation in the Land Charges service through a digitisation process and the impressive record on housing delivery, with 3,000 new units being delivered between 2001 and 2023, with 1,000 being affordable.

Cllr Susan Juned, leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said: "We welcome the findings and recommendations in the report. It's good to see that the review team found our new administration knowledgeable and passionate for the District and keen to deliver on our ambitions.

"The report states, we have 'a stable and well managed financial position', which is a big achievement given the financial pressures on Councils. It recognises our commitment to invest £2.2m into the Change Programme and the delivery of this is important to us, whilst ensuring this benefits the whole District and achieves value for taxpayers' money.

"It is extremely helpful to have a critical friend giving a fresh perspective, there is always room for improvement and things that we can learn for the benefit of our residents and businesses. and we are grateful to the peers for giving up their time to help us improve."

The report's findings, which were considered by the District Council's Cabinet this week and the feedback report contains 10 recommendations as follows:

Recommendation 1
Codesign a compelling and long-term place-based vision and narrative to define the District. Use this as an opportunity to galvanise partners and improve the District's economic and cultural strength.

Recommendation 2
Strengthen political and officer leadership of place roles - map your anchor institutions, partners, and stakeholders to bring focus, capacity and capability for place transformation.

Recommendation 3
The Council should prioritise publication of Draft Accounts in line with the statutory deadlines for doing so, and work closely with their new External Auditors to ensure these are audited in a timely fashion.

Recommendation 4
Further define the Change Programme, with a clear strategy based on objectives and plans relating to budget, resource and governance. Ensure the Change Programme is communicated and understood throughout SDC.

Recommendation 5
Strengthen the Citizens' Panel and develop a Parish Forum to engage more effectively with local people on a range of opportunities and challenges.

Recommendation 6
Ensure the Audit and Standards Committee is effective and reviewed in line with CIPFA best practice guidance.

Recommendation 7
Deliver the Staff Strategy and ensure that it places emphasis on the employee lifecycle and aligns with delivery of the Council Plan 2023-2027.

Recommendation 8
Clarify how SDC's existing values will be further embedded with staff and define how they will help to achieve the Council Plan 2023-27 and its ambitions.

Recommendation 9
Further develop the Member Development Programme, including the opportunities in the use of MS Teams and consideration of the timing of sessions given the constraints of Members with additional commitments e.g. working, and caring responsibilities.

Recommendation 10
Continue the work on developing the internal/external communications strategy with stakeholders, and consider any external support, to amplify the voice of the Council.

The District Council has drafted an action plan to address the recommendations which include developing a compelling and long-term place-based narrative; continue to strengthen the Council's existing partnerships; delivering the Council Plan and Staff Strategy; improve community engagement and develop a new communications strategy.

David Buckland, the District Council's Chief Executive, said: "The Corporate Peer Challenge has provided a valuable opportunity to benchmark our performance as an organisation. One aspect I am extremely proud of is the report highlighted the loyalty and commitment of our staff and the excellent work they undertake. 

"One of the challenges we face, as a 'lean organisation' is resilience, but the work we are undertaking with our new Staff Strategy will help us with succession planning and future proofing our organisation."

CPCs are offered to all local authorities by the LGA once every five years and the reviews involve leading councillors and senior officers from other councils across the country.

The team who visited Stratford-on-Avon District were: Cllr Richard Keeling, Teignbridge DC, Donna Nolan, Chief Executive, Watford BC, Andrew Cummings, Strategic Director of Resources (Section 151), Stroud DC, Alex Kinch - Chief Officer - People and Policy, Lancaster CC and Paula Maginnis - Service Director - Corporate Services, Epping Forest DC.

The process includes a six-month check-in session with the LGA which will provide an opportunity for the council to update peers on progress against the action plan and to discuss next steps.

The Corporate Peer Challenge Final Feedback Report can be found online at: Microsoft Word - Stratford-on-Avon DC CPC Report

The peer team focus on five core components that underpin good performance that all LGA Corporate Peer Challenges cover:

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