IDeA peer review
To help us to assess our achievements and to identify areas where we need to improve, we invited the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) to carry out a Corporate Peer Review in September 2006. The members of the review team were:
- Gillian Norton, Chief Executive, London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames
- Councillor Sir Simon Milton, Leader, Westminster City Council
- Councillor Jerry Roodhouse, Group Leader, Warwickshire County Council and Rugby Borough Council
- Sarah Pickup, Director of Adult Care Services, Hertfordshire County Council
- Chris Bowron, Review Manager, Improvement and Development Agency.
The Council welcomes the external challenge provided by the review team and would like to thank them for their input into the review. We found the review a rewarding and informative experience with very positive and constructive outcomes.
Findings of the review
Overall the findings were very positive. We were praised for:
- our high level of self awareness in terms of what we do well and where we need to improve
- our strong and clear political and managerial leadership
- the commitment, talent and mature corporate approach of our staff
- the excellent relationship between councillors and staff
- our scrutiny work
- the reconciling policy and resources process, more information about this is on our page about how we plan our business
- improved external communication
- our ‘can do’ culture.
Areas identified for improvement include:
- the need to develop a clearer neighbourhood agenda
- greater customer focus
- community cohesion and equalities work.
The outcomes of the review have been considered and an action plan has been developed to address the areas identified for development. The report and action plan can be viewed using the links below.
