LGA Corporate Peer Challenge Sector led improvement Scott - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

LGA Corporate Peer Challenge Sector led improvement Scott Crudgington Strategic Director (Resources) 2 September 2013

What is a Corporate Peer Challenge? • Delivered by the sector for the sector (sector led improvement) • Voluntary in nature and tailored to the needs of each council. • Challenges are ‘future focused’ • Focus of the challenge is set by the council in agreement with the Local Government Association • Includes a core element on corporate capacity and financial resilience (organisational health-check) • The approach is light touch and highly flexible • Composition of the Peer Team is agreed by the council

Peer Challenge Process • Council clarifies area of focus for the Local Government Association (LGA) • Council produces self assessment and supporting documentation • Council produces and agrees interview programme for onsite visits with the LGA • Peer Challenge commences on 14 th October 2013 • Peer Challenge Team presents findings and produce a feedback letter (for comment) • The council publishes the Peer Challenge feedback and our response to the recommendations.

Peer Team’s focus 1. Assess the plans that will deliver the council’s future priorities 2. Constructively challenge and feed into the council’s approach to Priority Based Budgeting and future plans for financial and organisational resources 3. Help support plans for improving relationships and strengthen engagement with local citizens, organisations and businesses in line with the council’s Co-operative Principles

Corporate Capacity Questions 1. Does the Council understand its local context and has it established a clear set of priorities? 2. Does the Council have a financial plan in place to ensure long-term viability? 3. Does the Council have effective political and managerial leadership and is it a constructive partnership? 4. Are effective governance and decision making arrangements in place to respond to key challenges and manage, change, transformation and disinvestment? 5. Are organisational capacity and resources focused in the right areas in order to deliver the agreed priorities?

In Summary: • Peer Challenge commences on14th October 2013 • Focus agreed • Storyboard self-assessment currently being developed • Peer Team on site three to four days working with the Council • Key partners to be involved in challenge • Peer Team feedback via letter • Council to publish feedback and response

More information: • http://www.local.gov.uk/peer-challenge • scott.crudgington@stevenage.gov.uk • elaine.wright@stevenage.gov.uk