The Council participated in a Corporate Peer Challenge undertaken by the Local Government Association in November 2025.
Corporate Peer Challenges provide robust, strategic and credible challenge and support to Councils.
The outcome of the Corporate Peer Challenge in November 2025 was extremely positive and the full report can be read here.
The Peer Challenge team found that Knowsley Council is a well-managed organisation with significant achievements.
The report also acknowledges there is a positive organisational culture with high levels of trust and collaboration and an almost forensic-like approach to financial monitoring which supports grip and understanding.
As well as identifying strengths, the purpose of the Corporate Peer Challenge is to identify recommendations for the Council to consider.
These include developing a consistent approach to corporate change; undertaking corporate level value for money benchmarking; strengthening medium-term planning by integrating risk, performance, and financial data; continuing to prioritise improvement of Children’s Social Care; and prioritise an external focus and explore joint approaches to transformation and improvement.
An action plan to address these recommendations has been developed, which was endorsed at Council tonight, and work is already well underway to progress them. You can read the Action Plan here.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, said “I was delighted to take part in this latest Corporate Peer Challenge, and showcase our amazing achievements to a team of local government officers and elected members.
“Importantly, the team highlighted the great culture in the organisation and our enthusiastic workforce which I’m incredibly proud of.
“The recommendations proposed are already well underway and I look forward to welcoming back the team later this year to review our progress.”