Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge Report

Report published March 2025

We have been commended for strong leadership, financial stability, and commitment to partnership working in a recent Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC). 

The review, conducted in December 2024, saw an expert team of local government peers spend three days examining how we operate, engaging with over 130 people across more than 40 meetings with our staff, councillors, and external partners. 

The findings highlight our strengths, including a clear understanding of local priorities, sound financial management, and highly visible leadership.

The review team noted that NFDC is well-respected regionally and that we play an active role in shaping partnerships that benefit residents. 

Cllr Jill Cleary, our Leader, welcomed the report: 

"This is a fantastic endorsement of the work we do every day to serve our communities. It reflects our ambition to be a forward-thinking council while staying financially responsible.

I'm particularly proud of the recognition given to our workforce - they are the backbone of NFDC and the reason we continue to succeed." 

Kate Ryan, Chief Executive, said:

"With local government reorganisation on the horizon, this review has come at an important time, and we are determined to remain a strong and effective council, working with our partners to deliver the best outcomes for our residents, now and in the future.

"We are pleased with this positive recognition and fully embrace the recommendations for improvement. Our action plan will ensure we continue learning, evolving, and delivering excellent services.." 

The report also identified opportunities for improvement, including strengthening overview and scrutiny functions to enhance transparency and continuing work on an assets strategy to maintain financial sustainability. 

We are now developing an action plan to address the recommendations, ensuring it reflects the changing landscape following the publication of the Devolution White Paper.

The peer review team will return in autumn 2025 to assess our progress. 

Download and view the Corporate Peer Challenge report (PDF, 399 KB)