Agenda item
Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge - Follow up and future
- Meeting of Tower Hamlets Transformation and Improvement Board, Monday, 9th December, 2019 6.00 p.m. (Item 4.2)
- View the background to item 4.2
To follow
Minutes:
The Board received a report that (i) outlined the improvement journey to date: (ii) sought the Board’s approval for a proposed approach to a follow up visit by the LGA; and (iii) asked the Board to consider options for continuing the Council’s public transformation and improvement journey in 2020. The main points of the discussion on this report are summarised below:
The Board:
- Was advised that when the Local Government Association (LGA) had performed the Corporate Peer Challenge of the Council in June 2018. It had been suggested that as part of the Challenge process there should be a follow up visit by the LGA to occur within two years of the original visit;
- Noted that the purpose of this follow up visit was to: (i) help the Council assess the impact of the peer challenge; and (ii) demonstrate the progress that it has made against the areas of improvement and development as identified by the peer review team;
- In considering the options for continuing the Council’s transformation and improvement journey in 2020 felt that both Members of the Cabinet, together with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee should hold a number of deep dive meetings into the Council’s transformation and improvement progress, focussing on particular areas of interest or improvement and this could be held post LGA follow-up visit;
- Felt that the benefits of this option would be that it is public-facing, and would involve the non-executive elected members (scrutiny) and that this is a streamlined approach. Although the drawback is that these events need to be managed and supported;
- Agreed that it was important to show what the Council is doing every day to improve the quality of life of local residents;
- Noted that the Council needs to share the stories behind the huge variety of vital services that it provides every day to highlight the amazing work that is going on in the local communities;
- Noted that the Council provides hundreds of different services to residents that cover all aspects of daily life, so it is important as mentioned to showcase what LBTH does. This will mean the local communities are better informed about how the Council helps and assists them;
- Was informed that the work it has undertaken has meant that more of the internal transformation process has been exposed and there is a need to ensure the progress is publicised e.g. the triumphs and evaluation of progress;
- Acknowledged that there was a need also to look at the challenges and situations with regards Audit and Pensions;
Accordingly the Transformation and Improvement Board RESOLVED:
1. To approve the proposed approach for a follow up visit by the LGA Peer Challenge Team, as a part of the Corporate Peer Challenge process;
2. To agree on an LGA follow-up visit from June 2020, pending LGA Peer Challenge Team’s availability; and
3. That members of the Cabinet, together with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee should hold a number of deep dive meetings into the Council’s transformation and improvement progress, focussing on particular areas of interest or improvement - and can be held post LGA follow-up visit.
Supporting documents: