RBC to continue to build on excellent follow up findings from peer challenge
Last updated: 16/12/2024
Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) is set to build on further excellent findings from a Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge which took place in January this year.
The exercise saw Councillors and officers from other authorities join forces to review RBC and highlight areas of good practice, whilst identifying areas for improvement and ongoing support.
The Corporate Peer Challenge team (CPC) took part in 50 meetings, finding out more from more than 100 people including a range of council staff together with Councillors and external stakeholders across four days.
It saw the peer group praise the Council for its great services, excellent leadership, important role at community level, strong performance management at service levels, strong communications and exceptional partnership work.
The group also highlighted RBC’s robust current financial position, debt-free status, significant capital investment, robust process for financial planning and investment in major projects and influence at a local and regional level.
A follow up visit and report from the CPC in November has now highlighted the Council has completed or progressed all nine of the recommendations the group made after their initial visit.
The report noted the Council’s Housing Design codes currently include eco credentials and targets far higher than their current equivalents meeting Rushcliffe’s ambitious climate change agenda for its communities, highlighted by its successful Abbey Road housing development in West Bridgford.
It focused on Rushcliffe’s carbon management plan achievements, such as reducing the refuse fleet’s carbon emissions by 90% by replacing diesel with biofuel.
The CPC’S recommendation to continue to engage with diverse and interconnecting communities has progressed in positive ways with the Council set to engage more with its younger stakeholders, potential service users and hard to reach groups.
Feedback from the peer team displayed they were impressed with progress continuing in the context of significant local and regional change since their visit, including the establishment of the East Midlands Combined County Authority, a new MP for Rushcliffe and the announcement of a new Chief Executive.
RBC’s Cabinet reflected in its meeting on Tuesday (December 10) on its previously agreed action plan that put into practice the recommendations.
Leader of the Council Cllr Neil Clarke said: “We were delighted with the excellent findings of the peer group from their visit in January and very pleased their follow up visit and report in November highlighted the progress of the action plan we agreed.
“They reported that they were particularly impressed both by the Council’s careful consideration and building on these recommendations to best enhance Rushcliffe’s agenda, rather than just actioning them at face value, thereby getting the fullest value out of them.
“This shows the importance we place on listening where we can improve our external and internal processes and approaches that ultimately mean better services for residents and a better place to work for our teams.
“The CPC process has been a positive one and the Council would like to thank the Corporate Peer Team and the LGA for their time and commitment.”