The LGA commissioned a Corporate Peer Challenge to the same methodology as applies to councils. The peer team concluded that the LGA remains a “strong organisation” that has continued to improve since its last review in 2015, and highlighted the important role the LGA has played supporting councils to respond to a number of national crises in recent years.
The LGA commissioned a Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) which took place from 6-9 December 2022. The peer team’s report, published in March 2023, states that “If the LGA didn’t exist – we’d have to invent it”, and includes the following findings:
- The LGA has significantly increased its financial resilience since 2015, having carefully managed planned strategic steps.
- 84 per cent of local government stakeholders are supportive of the LGA’s sector led improvement approach (increased from 62 per cent in 2015).
- The important role the LGA has played supporting councils to respond to a number of national crises in recent years, being seen by partners as “constructive”, “helpful”, “valued”, “candid” and “reasonable”.
- The LGA has a strong record for influencing the issues facing the sector, including support to respond to national crises and achieving an extensive list of ‘policy wins’.
- There is a well-established, strong senior management team.
- The LGA is open to feedback and demonstrates an authentic spirit for improvement.
- The regional teams are highly regarded for the support they bring to councils.
- Staff are highly motivated and passionate about what they do.
- There is strong recognition for the brand of the LGA externally and the influence the LGA is able to have
- Only two councils nationally are currently not in LGA membership and none are on notice to leave: a considerable improvement compared to 2014/15.
The report included 12 key recommendations for the LGA to consider on a range of internal and external topics, which the LGA has accepted in the spirit of continuous improvement.
A progress review was completed in November 2023 and its findings published in December 2023. The methodology of the challenge and the progress review was the same as applies to councils.
The peer team observed that the LGA has taken steps to make progress against each of their recommendations in the original CPC and considered that the LGA is in a position to make further progress, noting the focus of the new political leadership on wanting the LGA to be ‘the best membership organisation we can be’.
The LGA has considered the peer team’s helpful suggestions and is responding to them as set out in the progress review action plan.