Knowsley Council has received the latest formal feedback from the Local Government Association (LGA) following a review of the Council’s activities and performance which was undertaken in September 2022.
Further information about the review, and the findings, can be found here.
The latest review considered the impact of key pressures being managed by the Council, notably the COVID-19 pandemic, and more recently the cost of living crisis, along with inflationary pressures and increased demand for public services.
An independent assessment team reviewed a number of areas and the feedback included:-
- The pandemic had resulted in Knowsley Council staff and communities in the Borough actually feeling more empowered – an approach which should continue to be progressed.
- The Council-led “Knowsley Better Together” policy (bringing people and organisations together for the benefit of Knowsley and its residents) has been instrumental to the management of COVID-19.
- Extensive consultation has been undertaken over the Summer to find out from communities what they need to thrive and not just survive. The results have shaped the Knowsley Offer which will be launched in February 2023 and will outline the help and support available to residents in Knowsley, addressing their key priorities.
- The Council has developed a Stronger Communities Strategy which focuses on growing community capacity and supporting more people to be active within their communities so that people can help themselves, each other, and their neighbourhoods.
- A Leadership Programme is being developed for the six local authorities across the Liverpool City Region (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton, and Wirral Councils), strengthening partnership arrangements as well as providing greater opportunities for people working in the Liverpool City Region.
- The Knowsley Council Plan for 2022-2025 has been approved, which focusses on effective support for those in need, inclusive skills and growth, and climate emergency and achieving net zero.
- The Council has been raising the profile of the Borough by attracting media attention for projects such as the opening of the Shakespeare North Playhouse, along with media coverage generated related to the Council’s Levelling Up Fund bids.
The Peer Review team also noted “the Council’s commitment to external insight and the value of peer challenge to the Council, supporting ongoing improvement and assurance.”
Councillor Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council said, “I was once again delighted to showcase the outstanding work of this Council with the LGA’s Peer Challenge Review team.
“There has once again been significant progress made against our action plan and we were able to highlight our strong relationships – internally with staff, with our partner organisations, and with our communities.
“We are immensely proud of our positive approach – it has been instrumental, initially in terms of our management of the pandemic and now in the context of Knowsley’s recovery and our response to the cost of living crisis.
“I’m delighted that an external team of local government experts has recognised the great work we are doing here in Knowsley.”