To consider the findings of the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge and an associated action plan.

1.       That the findings from the LGA’s Corporate Peer Challenge at Appendix A to the report referred be noted.

2.       That the action plan at Appendix B to the report referred be approved.

A report was presented to receive the findings of the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge and an associated action plan.

During his introduction of the report, the Leader of the Council highlighted to Members that in November 2024, East Lindsey District Council welcomed Peers from the Local Government Association (LGA) to undertake a Corporate Peer Challenge.  The report brought forward the findings from the Corporate Peer Challenge (Appendix A) and the Council’s Action Plan (Appendix B) in response.  Members were further advised that the findings and action plan had been reviewed by Overview Committee. 

The full background and details were included at Section 1 of the report, page 62 of the Agenda refers.

The Leader of the Council advised Members that the Peer Challenge team would revisit to check on progress of the action plan and this was also being monitored by Overview Committee.  The Leader added that the Peer Review reflected very well on the Council and its officers, the Executive Board and the leadership it displayed, and the management of all work undertaken.

Members noted that during the review a number of issues were picked up in relation to communications, Recommendation 2 on page 69 of the Agenda refers. The Leader highlighted the importance of the Action Plan and welcomed progress made as a result of the feedback provided by the Peer Review Panel.

The Portfolio Holder for Coastal Economy considered that the recommendations that came forward from the review were fair, however was frustrated with the issue of communication as whilst the Council, its officers and elected Members did much work in their communities people did not get to hear about this, and highlighted Recommendation 8 ‘Share the good practice and achievements from ELDC more widely’, of the Peer Review report, page 72 of the Agenda refers.  He provided an example of a previous suggestion for a photo opportunity for Community Grants, to get better recognition of great work undertaken which would also assist in dispelling negative feedback.  He repeated his previous request for certificates to be provided for successful community grant awards.

In response, the Leader of the Council agreed that a large difference was being made through various grants given out, for example the GRASSroots funding that had made an incredible difference to communities across East Lindsey.  The Leader further highlighted the new Station Road Sports Centre in Mablethorpe and highlighted the importance of recording all the benefits this had provided, including reference to areas of deprivation and challenges faced with health issues and the vast difference it had made to the lives of people in Mablethorpe.

The Portfolio Holder for Market Towns and Rural Economy highlighted that there was a lot of good work undertaken by the Council and it was frustrating when negative information was put out on social media.  With regards to the East Lindsey Investment Fund, it was stressed that it was important to get the communications around this rolled out over the coming weeks.  He further referred to the positive comments in the opening paragraph of the Peer Review Feedback Report’s Executive Summary.

In response, the Leader of the Council agreed that communication could be better.  With regards to feedback and the recommendations in the action plan he added that lessons had been learned from the previous peer review.  He also stated that credit should go to officers for setting up the peer challenge in terms of information provided and the processes in place and for welcoming the Peer team.  He added that officers had been very open about the challenges the Council had faced and acknowledged that it did not get everything right and needed to recognise this so these matters could be addressed.

The Portfolio Holder for Partnerships highlighted the amount of information that was now only available online as local newspapers had been lost and that communication by social media was not the answer for everyone.  It was highlighted that communications were pushed out through town and parish councils, but that more needed to be done.

In response, the Leader of the Council stated that East Lindsey was a very large district and communication to the various age groups was challenging.  The digital inclusion programme worked well but only reached a small part of the district, however further highlighted the good work undertaken by community hubs.

The Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing advised Members that the message was getting out through the Age Friendly Ambassadors predominantly speaking to the older population but who were spreading information and advised there were 25 ambassadors across the communities.  In addition to this, an Age Friendly newsletter was produced quarterly and was in demand by the older population and those visiting the community hubs.  It was highlighted that there were many other groups out in the communities and further work was required to help spread the message.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture and Carbon Reduction stated that the Communications Team did a great job, and whilst local newspapers were reducing in numbers there were different mediums that attracted various age groups.  He further highlighted that the weekly newsletter circulated to businesses was useful.  He also considered that it was important for people to understand that they could use their relevant Council Ward Members out in the communities.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning highlighted the difficulty of providing a corporate message due to the number of towns across the district as examples would differ.  He thanked the Leader of the Council for his leadership through the peer review process and considered the feedback from the review was very good and recognition must go to the Leader for the culture that had been set across Executive Board and the Council.

In response, the Leader of the Council thanked the Portfolio Holder for Planning for his kind comments, however highlighted that teamwork was key and the Council had a good officer core who were very willing and all colleagues were treated with respect.

RESOLVED

1.       That the findings from the LGA’s Corporate Peer Challenge at Appendix A to the report referred be noted.

2.       That the action plan at Appendix B to the report referred be approved.

Reason:

To ensure that Executive Board is formally sighted on the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge findings and has an action plan in place to take forward the recommendations.

Other Options:

None.