In November, Knowsley Council took part in a Corporate Peer Challenge, where external local government representatives review the Council’s financial sustainability, performance, governance and continuous improvement.
Over a four day period, the Corporate Peer Challenge team reviewed the Council’s policies and strategies, met with staff, Elected Members, stakeholders and partners and also had a tour of the Borough to see the Borough’s development and hear about future plans.
Formal feedback has now been received which confirmed that the Council is a well-managed organisation which has demonstrated significant achievements and accomplishments in recent years, including winning The MJ Local Authority of the Year in 2024, achieving a “Good” CQC inspection outcome for Adult Social Care and regeneration achievements (demonstrating high level ambition from the Council) including the Shakespeare North Playhouse.
One of the biggest strengths of the Council is the positive culture which exists within the organisation, and the relationships that have been built across members and officers. The Peer team commented on the high quality, enthusiasm and commitment of employees, elected members, partners and community groups and were highly complementary of the joint working approach.
The Council has clear priorities that were understood and were informed by local need, performance information and political aspirations. These are included in the Knowsley Council Plan 2025-2030, which is aligned to the long-term strategy for the Borough – Knowsley 2030.
Partners spoke positively regarding both the contribution and approach of the Council to partnership working, including a track record in delivery and an appetite for increased partnership work in the future.
The Council’s robust financial management was also highlighted as a strength with the team noting that the Council had an almost forensic-like approach to financial monitoring which supports a good understanding of the financial position and has helped to address the financial challenges it has faced in recent years.
Positive feedback was received on the political and managerial leadership of the organisation. It was also highlighted that the leadership of the organisation is supported by the extensive use of staff networks – created by staff who have supported policy development within the Council. The Council’s role and influence within the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, at an officer and elected Member level, was also praised. The contributions of the Leader of the Council (Cllr Morgan), as Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing across the City Region, were specifically praised, including the description of being ‘an exemplary portfolio holder’.
As well as highlighting the Council’s strengths, the Corporate Peer Challenge also identifies where improvements can be made. Recommendations include undertaking benchmarking exercises to compare performance and value; strengthening medium-term planning; protecting and embedding the Council’s healthy working culture in the new People Strategy; continuing to prioritise the children’s services improvement journey; and considering the benefits of standardisation to support consistency and transformation. The recommendations have all been accepted and agreed, and an action plan has been developed to progress these over the coming months.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, said: “I was delighted to showcase our outstanding work and to receive the incredibly positive feedback from external professionals, endorsing the great work we are doing here in Knowsley.
“The team consistently commented on the positive culture in the organisation and our staff’s enthusiasm for delivering the very best for our communities.
“We have an incredible workforce, who I know go above and beyond for our communities here in Knowsley. They should be as proud as me in terms of the feedback we’ve received and what they are achieving. Well done.”
You can read the full feedback report here.